complete verse (Ezekiel 16:54)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezekiel 16:54:

  • Kupsabiny: “Shame shall take hold of you alone and your sisters shall see that they are better than you.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “so-that you will-be-ashamed of all that you did, for because of this it-came-out as-if they are better than you.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “You will be very ashamed of the wicked things that you have done, and that will cause the people of those cities to be encouraged.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Ezekiel 16:54

That you may bear your disgrace and be ashamed of all that you have done: This clause shows that Jerusalem’s punishment will not end just because God promises to restore her. In fact, the restoration will bring more shame. The word that indicates purpose. God will restore the people of Jerusalem to their former condition in order to emphasize the extent of their shame and disgrace due to their sins.

Becoming a consolation to them: This clause gives the idea of the wicked cities of Sodom and Samaria being comforted by the fact that Jerusalem is even more wicked than they were. The idea here is similar to that in verses 51-52, which speak about these two wicked cities looking good in comparison to Jerusalem. Contemporary English Version provides a good model for this clause, saying “and Sodom and Samaria will be relieved that they weren’t as sinful as you.”

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .