Ezekiel 16:46Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If you observe the eastern direction from the temple in Jerusalem, you will see that Samaria and Sodom indeed embody the two sisters, one positioned to the left and the other to the right. Samaria, the elder, had already sinned grievously and fell captive to the Assyrians, while the younger, Sodom, symbolizes the pagan multitude. Notably, Sodom was previously destroyed by divine fire, along with Gomorrah, Adam, and Seboim as recorded in Genesis. In contrast, Jerusalem, referred to as Judah at another time, was taken into exile in Babylon by the Chaldeans and committed transgressions far graver than those of Samaria and Sodom, engaging in idolatry and executing the Son of God.

From an allegorical perspective, Samaria and Sodom, representing heretics and pagans respectively, often commit lesser offenses compared to those considered part of Jerusalem, or the Church. This is evident in the admonition to the Corinthians, who, despite their belief in Christ, were tainted by sinful actions: "Now it is reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans" (1 Cor. 5:1). Heretics who adhere solely to the Old Testament tend to inaccurately derive from this text a concept of three natures: spiritual, soulish, and material. However, we can succinctly challenge this notion: how can it be claimed that these three distinct natures share one mother and one father? Such a claim does not hold up. Furthermore, how can the soul and the earthly nature revert to their original state, the spiritual, according to this same prophet? This too stands in opposition to their arguments. The identification of Samaria with heresies is substantiated by the prophet Hosea, along with numerous other passages, notably: "Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria" (Am. 6:1). All heretics denigrate Zion, the symbol of the Church's watchtower, while placing their confidence in the mountain of Samaria, embodying prideful false teachings. Through these misguided praises, they ensnare and ruin the beginnings of the nations, drawing the foremost of the Gentiles into heretical deceit through the allure of their doctrines.

Samaria is referred to as the elder sister, not because of time, but due to her pronounced wickedness; chronologically, she is indeed older than Sodom. However, Jerusalem was initially envious of Samaria's actions and later extended its own iniquity, becoming akin to the cities of Sodom. Sodom is termed the younger sister because Jerusalem subsequently embraced its association, for God regards the alliance in wickedness as a form of kinship. The reference to "on your right hand" pertains to their geographical position; in Jerusalem, if one faces east, Sodom lies to the right as it is situated to the south, while Samaria is to the left, positioned to the north. He designates the towns and villages under their dominion as the daughters of Samaria and Sodom. In order to illustrate the depth of wickedness, he further adds: