Ezekiel 23:36

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

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};

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

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

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

Ezekiel 23:36 marks a pivotal moment in the prophet Ezekiel's ongoing indictment against the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Here, the LORD directly commissions Ezekiel to act as a divine prosecutor, instructing him to expose the grave sins of Aholah and Aholibah—symbolic representations of Samaria (the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel) and Jerusalem (the capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah), respectively.

Context

This verse is part of a lengthy and vivid allegory in Ezekiel chapter 23, where God describes Samaria and Jerusalem as two sisters who engaged in spiritual harlotry. This "harlotry" represents their unfaithfulness to God through idolatry, alliances with foreign nations, and adoption of pagan practices. The chapter details their escalating promiscuity, beginning with their youth in Egypt, continuing through their establishment as nations, and culminating in their deep apostasy. God's rhetorical question, "Wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah?" is not seeking Ezekiel's permission but rather empowering and commanding him to pronounce judgment and reveal their detestable acts. This narrative parallels the earlier, equally powerful allegory found in Ezekiel chapter 16, which focuses specifically on Jerusalem's unfaithfulness.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Justice: The verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice and His intention to hold His covenant people accountable for their rebellion. Their "abominations" demand a divine response.
  • Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry: The core accusation against Aholah and Aholibah is their spiritual unfaithfulness. This isn't literal prostitution but a powerful metaphor for abandoning the one true God to worship idols and pursue foreign alliances, which were seen as betrayals of their covenant vows.
  • Prophetic Responsibility: Ezekiel is not merely an observer but an active participant in God's judgment. He is commanded to "declare unto them their abominations," highlighting the prophet's crucial role in confronting sin and speaking God's truth, even when it is harsh.

Linguistic Insights

The names themselves are significant. Aholah (אהלה, 'Oholah) means "her own tent," implying that Samaria established her own places of worship and practices, apart from God's prescribed ways. Aholibah (אהליבה, 'Oholibah), meaning "my tent is in her," refers to Jerusalem, where God's Temple (His "tent" or dwelling place) was located. This distinction emphasizes Jerusalem's greater guilt, as she had God's presence yet still committed grievous sins. The term "abominations" (תועבות, to'evot) is a strong Hebrew word frequently used in the Old Testament to describe practices utterly detestable to God, particularly those related to idolatry, child sacrifice, and sexual immorality, as detailed in Deuteronomy 18:9-12.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 23:36 serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness and His intolerance for spiritual unfaithfulness. For believers today, this verse calls for introspection:

  • Examine Our Allegiances: Are there "idols" in our lives—anything that takes precedence over God, whether it be wealth, success, comfort, or relationships? God calls us to be exclusively devoted to Him, echoing the first commandment (Exodus 20:3).
  • The Seriousness of Sin: The strong language used to describe the "abominations" highlights the gravity of sin, particularly that which involves turning away from God.
  • The Need for Truth: Just as Ezekiel was commanded to declare the truth, there is a continuing need for God's truth to be spoken, confronting sin and calling people to repentance and true worship.

Ultimately, this passage reinforces that God sees and judges all unfaithfulness, and His desire is for His people to return to Him in genuine devotion.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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].

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