Ezekiel 23:36

KJV

¶ The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations;

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} said {H559} moreover unto me; Son {H1121} of man {H120}, wilt thou judge {H8199} Aholah {H170} and Aholibah {H172}? yea, declare {H5046} unto them their abominations {H8441};

Complete Jewish Bible

Then ADONAI said to me, "Human being, are you ready to judge Oholah and Oholivah? Then confront them with their disgusting practices

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD said to me: “Son of man, will you pass judgment against Oholah and Oholibah? Then declare to them their abominations.

American Standard Version

Jehovah said moreover unto me: Son of man, wilt thou judge Oholah and Oholibah? then declare unto them their abominations.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 23:36 initiates a direct divine commission to the prophet Ezekiel, tasking him with the solemn duty of pronouncing judgment and exposing the egregious "abominations" of Aholah and Aholibah. These two allegorical sisters represent Samaria (the Northern Kingdom of Israel) and Jerusalem (the Southern Kingdom of Judah), respectively, whose spiritual harlotry—manifested through idolatry, foreign alliances, and abandonment of God's covenant—demands a clear and public declaration of their guilt from the Lord's chosen messenger.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a lengthy and graphic allegorical indictment found in [Ezekiel chapter 23](/ezekiel/23 "Ezekiel 23 - The Allegory of Aholah and Aholibah"). Following the earlier, equally vivid allegory in [Ezekiel chapter 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - Jerusalem's Unfaithfulness"), which focused on Jerusalem's unfaithfulness, chapter 23 expands the scope to include both the Northern Kingdom (Samaria/Aholah) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah/Aholibah). The narrative portrays them as two sisters who, despite being chosen by God and rescued from Egypt, progressively engaged in spiritual harlotry, escalating their promiscuity through alliances with pagan nations and adopting their idolatrous practices. The preceding verses (Ezekiel 23:1-35) detail their comprehensive history of apostasy, from their youth in Egypt to their current state of profound spiritual corruption, setting the stage for God's explicit command to Ezekiel to act as a divine prosecutor, laying bare their depravity and justifying the impending judgment. The immediate context of verse 36 is the culmination of this detailed accusation, leading directly into God's pronouncement of their deserved punishment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Ezekiel's prophecy is the tumultuous period leading up to and during the Babylonian exile. The Northern Kingdom of Israel (represented by Samaria/Aholah) had already fallen to the Assyrian Empire in 722 BC due due to its persistent idolatry and political maneuvering, a fate that Judah (represented by Jerusalem/Aholibah) was rapidly approaching or already experiencing through the Babylonian invasions and the eventual destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Culturally, the metaphor of "harlotry" or "adultery" was a pervasive and potent prophetic trope in ancient Israel to describe covenant unfaithfulness, particularly the worship of foreign gods. Just as a wife's exclusive fidelity was expected within the marriage covenant, Israel's exclusive fidelity was expected within her covenant with Yahweh. Engaging in political alliances with pagan nations (like Egypt or Assyria) for security, rather than trusting God, and adopting their gods and rituals, was viewed as a profound betrayal of the covenant, akin to spiritual prostitution. This cultural understanding amplified the severity of the indictment.
* **Key Themes:** [Ezekiel 23:36](/ezekiel/23-36 "Ezekiel 23:36 - God's Command to Judge Aholah and Aholibah") powerfully encapsulates several major themes prevalent throughout the book of Ezekiel. First, it underscores **Divine Judgment and Justice**, highlighting God's righteous indignation against sin and His unwavering commitment to hold His covenant people accountable for their rebellion. The "abominations" described are not trivial but demand a divine response, demonstrating that God's justice is both inevitable and precise. Second, the verse emphasizes **Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry**, which is the core accusation against Aholah and Aholibah. This spiritual unfaithfulness, vividly depicted as harlotry, represents their abandonment of the one true God for the worship of idols and reliance on foreign powers, thereby betraying their sacred covenant vows (cf. [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-5 - No Other Gods Before Me")). Finally, it highlights **Prophetic Responsibility**, as Ezekiel is not merely an observer but is commanded to "declare unto them their abominations." This illustrates the prophet's crucial, often difficult, role in confronting sin, speaking God's truth, and serving as a watchman warning the people of impending judgment (cf. [Ezekiel 3:17-19](/ezekiel/3-17 "Ezekiel 3:17-19 - The Watchman's Duty")). This command underscores the divine imperative for truth to be spoken, even when it is condemning.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **judge (Hebrew, _shâphaṭ'_):** From H8199, meaning "to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extension, to govern; passively, to litigate." In this context, Ezekiel is not asked to determine guilt, as God has already established it. Instead, his role is that of a divine arbiter or prosecutor, tasked with pronouncing God's verdict. This involves articulating the divine sentence, explaining the justification for God's impending judgment, and thereby vindicating God's righteous character in His dealings with the two kingdoms. It signifies a formal, authoritative declaration of guilt and consequence.
* **declare (Hebrew, _nâgad'_):** From H5046, meaning "to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise." This word emphasizes the public, explicit, and unreserved nature of Ezekiel's task. He is to stand boldly before the people and openly, clearly, and fully reveal the extent of their detestable actions. This declaration is meant to manifest the truth, expose their hidden sins, and leave no room for denial, self-justification, or ignorance regarding the reasons for God's judgment.
* **abominations (Hebrew, _tôwʻêbah'_):** From H8441, meaning "properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol." This term is a strong theological descriptor for practices utterly detestable and morally repugnant to God. In the context of Israel and Judah, it specifically refers to their rampant idolatry, the worship of foreign gods, participation in pagan rituals (which often included child sacrifice and cultic prostitution), and their unholy alliances with pagan nations. Its use here underscores the extreme severity and moral repugnance of Israel and Judah's spiritual unfaithfulness and covenant betrayal, which provoked God's righteous wrath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah?":** This opening clause establishes the divine origin and authority of the command, emphasizing that the prophet is merely God's mouthpiece. The address "Son of man" is Ezekiel's characteristic title, underscoring his human vulnerability and dependence on divine empowerment for such a weighty commission. The rhetorical question, "wilt thou judge...?" is not an inquiry seeking permission or choice, but a forceful divine imperative and empowerment. It highlights God's unwavering intention to bring judgment and His appointment of Ezekiel as the specific instrument through whom this judgment will be articulated and justified to the people. Aholah and Aholibah are immediately identified as the allegorical subjects of this divine scrutiny, setting the stage for their comprehensive indictment.
* **"yea, declare unto them their abominations;":** This subsequent clause clarifies the precise nature of Ezekiel's "judgment." It is primarily a public declaration and exposure. Ezekiel is commanded to explicitly lay bare the full extent of their detestable acts, their "abominations," before them. This declaration serves multiple crucial purposes: to justify God's actions in bringing judgment, to provide a final opportunity for the people to repent, and to leave them utterly without excuse for their profound and persistent unfaithfulness. The term "abominations" encapsulates the totality of their idolatrous practices, covenant breaking, and moral corruption that had provoked God's righteous wrath and necessitated this divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 23:36 is rich in **Allegory**, as the entire chapter employs the extended metaphor of two sisters, Aholah and Aholibah, to represent the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel. This personification allows for a vivid, emotionally charged, and deeply condemnatory depiction of their spiritual harlotry and covenant unfaithfulness. The phrase "wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah?" functions as a potent **Rhetorical Question**, not seeking an answer from Ezekiel, but rather emphasizing the divine imperative and Ezekiel's mandated, non-negotiable role in God's judicial process. It serves to underscore the certainty and necessity of the judgment that is to be pronounced. Furthermore, the use of "abominations" is a powerful **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where a specific type of detestable act (idolatry, pagan rituals, child sacrifice) stands in for the broader concept of their complete spiritual unfaithfulness, moral corruption, and rebellion against God's covenant. The graphic imagery and explicit language employed throughout the chapter, culminating in this verse, also utilize **Vivid Imagery** and **Personification** to shock the audience into recognizing the profound severity and moral repugnance of their sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 23:36 profoundly underscores the holiness, justice, and unwavering covenant faithfulness of God, revealing His intolerance for spiritual unfaithfulness and His commitment to holding His covenant people accountable. The indictment of Aholah and Aholibah serves as a stark reminder that a special relationship with God does not exempt one from judgment when that relationship is betrayed through idolatry and moral corruption. God's command to Ezekiel to "declare their abominations" highlights the prophetic function as a divine prosecutor, revealing the truth of sin to provoke repentance or justify impending judgment. This passage affirms that God sees and judges all forms of spiritual harlotry, demanding exclusive devotion from those He has called His own, demonstrating that true worship requires undivided loyalty and obedience to His commands.

* [Deuteronomy 32:15-21](/deuteronomy/32-15-21 "Deuteronomy 32:15-21 - Jeshurun's Rebellion and God's Jealousy")
* [Jeremiah 3:6-10](/jeremiah/3-6-10 "Jeremiah 3:6-10 - Israel and Judah's Unfaithfulness as Harlotry")
* [Hosea 1:2](/hosea/1-2 "Hosea 1:2 - Hosea's Marriage to a Harlot as a Sign of Israel's Adultery")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 23:36 serves as a potent mirror for believers today, challenging us to examine the depth of our own allegiance and devotion to God. The allegorical "harlotry" of Aholah and Aholibah speaks to any form of spiritual compromise where our affections, trust, or worship are subtly or overtly diverted from the one true God to anything else—be it wealth, worldly success, personal comfort, human relationships, political ideologies, or even religious traditions that lack genuine, heartfelt devotion to Christ. This passage calls us to a radical self-examination, prompting us to ask where our "tent" truly is and whether our lives reflect God's dwelling within us, or if we have built "tents" of our own making, pursuing practices, values, or alliances that are detestable to Him. The seriousness with which God views the "abominations" of His people should instill in us a profound reverence for His holiness and a deep conviction regarding the gravity of sin, particularly that which involves turning away from Him. Just as Ezekiel was commanded to declare the truth, there remains a vital need for God's truth to be spoken in our world today, confronting sin, calling for repentance, and guiding people back to genuine, exclusive worship of the Lord, fostering a pure and undivided heart.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "abominations" or forms of spiritual harlotry might be subtly present in my own life or within the church today, diverting allegiance from God?**
* **How seriously do I take God's call for exclusive devotion, and what idols might be subtly competing for my affections and trust?**
* **In what ways am I called to "declare" God's truth about sin and righteousness in my sphere of influence, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular?**
* **How does the historical judgment on Israel and Judah inform my understanding of God's unchanging character and His ongoing call to faithfulness for His people?**

### FAQ
**What do Aholah and Aholibah represent in Ezekiel 23?**

Answer: Aholah and Aholibah are symbolic names used in [Ezekiel chapter 23](/ezekiel/23 "Ezekiel 23 - The Allegory of the Two Sisters") to represent the two kingdoms of Israel. Aholah symbolizes Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which had already fallen to Assyria due to its idolatry. Her name, meaning "her own tent," suggests that she established her own places of worship and practices, apart from God's prescribed ways, indicating self-reliance and rebellion. Aholibah symbolizes Jerusalem, the capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, which was facing or undergoing Babylonian judgment. Her name, meaning "my tent is in her," refers to the fact that God's Temple, His dwelling place, was located in Jerusalem, highlighting her greater guilt due to her proximity to God's presence yet persistent unfaithfulness and betrayal of the covenant.

**Why does God ask Ezekiel, "Wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah?" Is it a genuine question?**

Answer: No, it is not a genuine question seeking Ezekiel's permission or opinion. This is a powerful **rhetorical question** used to emphasize God's authoritative command and Ezekiel's mandated role as a divine prosecutor. It serves to underscore the certainty of the judgment and to empower Ezekiel to pronounce God's verdict and expose the sins of the two kingdoms. It's a way of saying, "You *will* judge them; you *will* declare their abominations, because I command it and empower you to do so." This highlights the prophet's profound responsibility to articulate God's truth, even when it involves harsh condemnation and public exposure of sin.

**What does "abominations" specifically refer to in this context?**

Answer: In [Ezekiel 23:36](/ezekiel/23-36 "Ezekiel 23:36 - God's Command to Judge Aholah and Aholibah"), "abominations" (Hebrew: _tôwʻêbah_) refers to practices that are utterly detestable and morally repugnant to God, provoking His righteous anger. In the context of Israel and Judah, this primarily includes their widespread **idolatry** (worshipping foreign gods and idols, such as Baal and Molech), their participation in **pagan rituals** (which often involved child sacrifice, cultic prostitution, and other morally corrupt practices adopted from surrounding nations), and their **unfaithful political alliances** with pagan nations (like Egypt and Assyria) instead of trusting solely in Yahweh. These actions were seen as profound betrayals of their covenant with God, akin to spiritual adultery or harlotry, and were considered a direct affront to His holiness and exclusive claim on His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 23:36, with its stark portrayal of Israel and Judah's spiritual harlotry and the divine command to declare their abominations, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. While the Old Testament prophets declared judgment for sin, Jesus Christ is the ultimate Judge, the one to whom all judgment has been committed by the Father ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Son as Judge")). He is also the One who perfectly "declared" the truth of humanity's sin and God's righteous demands, not merely as a messenger, but as the embodiment of truth itself ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")). Furthermore, the "abominations" of Israel and Judah—their idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness—point to the universal human condition of sin and rebellion against God, a pervasive spiritual harlotry that separates all humanity from a holy God ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). The Old Covenant's inability to truly cleanse these abominations underscores the need for a new and better covenant. This is fulfilled in Christ, who, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), takes away the sin of the world, offering a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that truly cleanses from all abominations and reconciles humanity to God ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice and Cleansing Power")). Through His atoning work, believers are transformed from spiritual adulterers, enslaved by sin, to the pure and redeemed bride of Christ, united to Him in an unbreakable covenant of grace ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church, His Bride")). Thus, what Ezekiel declared as a necessary judgment against unfaithfulness, Christ fulfilled as redemption, providing the ultimate means for true faithfulness and complete cleansing from all sin, establishing a new relationship of purity and devotion.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 22:2

Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations.

Ezekiel 20:4

Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge [them]? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:

Ezekiel 16:2

Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,

Isaiah 58:1

¶ Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

Jeremiah 1:10

See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

Acts 7:51

¶ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers [did], so [do] ye.

Acts 7:53

Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept [it].