Ezekiel 23:4

And the names of them [were] Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters. Thus [were] their names; Samaria [is] Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah.

And the names {H8034} of them were Aholah {H170} the elder {H1419}, and Aholibah {H172} her sister {H269}: and they were mine, and they bare {H3205} sons {H1121} and daughters {H1323}. Thus were their names {H8034}; Samaria {H8111} is Aholah {H170}, and Jerusalem {H3389} Aholibah {H172}.

Their names were Oholah, the older one, and Oholivah, her sister. They belonged to me, and they gave birth to sons and daughters. As for their names, Shomron is Oholah, and Yerushalayim is Oholivah

The older was named Oholah, and her sister was named Oholibah. They became Mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. As for their identities, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

And the names of them were Oholah the elder, and Oholibah her sister: and they became mine, and they bare sons and daughters. And as for their names, Samaria is Oholah, and Jerusalem Oholibah.

Ezekiel 23:4 introduces two allegorical figures, Aholah and Aholibah, who represent the two kingdoms of Israel:

  • Aholah is identified as Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
  • Aholibah is identified as Jerusalem, the capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

Context

This verse is part of a vivid and disturbing allegory in Ezekiel 23, where God uses the imagery of two sisters engaging in spiritual harlotry to depict the unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah. This metaphor highlights their idolatry and their reliance on foreign alliances instead of trusting in God. The prophet Ezekiel, ministering during the Babylonian exile, frequently used such dramatic imagery to confront the spiritual rebellion of God's people. This specific chapter builds on themes found in Ezekiel 16, which similarly portrays Jerusalem's spiritual adultery and God's unwavering covenant despite their transgressions.

Key Themes

  • Divine Ownership and Covenant: The phrase "they were mine" underscores God's original covenant relationship with both kingdoms. He had chosen them, made them His own, and blessed them, expecting faithfulness in return. This reflects the deep commitment God had to His people, akin to a marriage covenant (Jeremiah 3:14).
  • Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry: The core accusation throughout the chapter is their "harlotry," a common biblical metaphor for turning away from God to worship other gods or to seek security in human alliances. Samaria's history of idolatry is well-documented (2 Kings 17:7-18), and Judah, despite witnessing Israel's downfall, followed a similar path of unfaithfulness.
  • Progeny and Legacy: The phrase "they bare sons and daughters" indicates that these nations were fruitful and had a legacy, but tragically, this legacy was marred by their unfaithfulness and rebellion against God.

Linguistic Insights

The names themselves are highly significant and provide deeper meaning to the allegory:

  • Aholah (אׇהֳלָה - 'ohelah): Means "her own tent" or "she has her own tent." This symbolically points to Samaria's self-established worship centers (like the golden calves at Dan and Bethel) and its independence from the divinely appointed temple in Jerusalem. It signifies a departure from God's prescribed worship and a reliance on human-made religion.
  • Aholibah (אׇהֳלִיבָה - 'ohelibah): Means "my tent is in her" or "my tent is in her." This name refers to Jerusalem, where God's Temple (His dwelling place) was located. The presence of God's sanctuary within Jerusalem made Judah's spiritual harlotry even more egregious and inexcusable, as they sinned in the very place where God's presence dwelt.

Practical Application

While the allegory is specific to ancient Israel and Judah, its message holds timeless relevance. It serves as a powerful warning against:

  • Spiritual Complacency: Even those who have a covenant relationship with God can fall into spiritual unfaithfulness if they do not guard their hearts and remain vigilant in their devotion.
  • Idolatry in Modern Forms: Today, idolatry isn't just bowing to statues; it can be anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives—money, power, relationships, comfort, or self-reliance. This verse reminds us of the serious consequences of placing anything above our devotion to God.
  • The Seriousness of Covenant: God takes His covenant relationships seriously, and He expects His people to do the same. This applies to the new covenant established through Christ, where believers are called to exclusive devotion to Him (2 Corinthians 11:2). We are to remain faithful to our divine Bridegroom.
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 16:8

    Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time [was] the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

  • 1 Kings 12:26

    And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:

  • 1 Kings 12:33

    So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, [even] in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.

  • Psalms 76:2

    In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

  • Romans 7:4

    Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, [even] to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

  • Jeremiah 2:2

    Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land [that was] not sown.

  • Jeremiah 2:3

    Israel [was] holiness unto the LORD, [and] the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.

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