Ezekiel 16:47

Yet hast thou not walked after their wayes, nor done after their abominations: but as if that were a very litle thing, thou wast corrupted more then they in all thy wayes. Ezekiel 16:47 (KJV)

Ezekiel 16 is a prophetic passage where God uses a parable to describe Jerusalem’s spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. In this chapter Jerusalem is portrayed as an unfaithful wife who has engaged in spiritual adultery by worshipping false gods and participating in detestable practices. The imagery of a wife committing adultery is used throughout Ezekiel 16 to depict Jerusalem’s betrayal of the covenant relationship with God through idolatry.

In verse 47 God addresses Jerusalem, stating, “Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways.” This comparison highlights the severity of Jerusalem’s spiritual unfaithfulness. Although Jerusalem had not followed the ways of the surrounding pagan nations or done after their abominations, God declares that she was corrupted more than they in all her ways. The verse therefore underscores that Jerusalem’s corruption surpassed even that of the pagan nations, a fact that was deeply disappointing to God.

God had chosen Israel to be His people and had given them His laws and commandments. The expectation was that Israel would remain faithful to Him and would not turn to the idols and abominations of the surrounding nations. By engaging in idolatry and following the ways of the nations, Jerusalem violated that covenant, betraying God and turning to false gods.

The verse indicates that Jerusalem’s unfaithfulness would lead to significant consequences. Subsequent verses describe the judgment and punishment that would come upon the city because of her persistent disobedience. God cannot tolerate unfaithfulness and disobedience, and He will bring judgment upon those who persist in such behavior.