Ezekiel 23:1-4

II. A SAD HISTORY 23:1-49

In chapter 23 Ezekiel vividly portrays the history of the sister kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Israel is represented here by Samaria, and Judah by Jerusalem. They are allegorically compared to two wicked sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, who were unfaithful to their lawful husband. Both sisters sought liaisons with strange men. So also Israel and Judah had committed spiritual adultery against God. Samaria had already been punished for her unfaithfulness. Judah had failed to learn from the experiences of her sister kingdom, and was headed for the same fate. Such is the overall import of Ezekiel 23.

A, Introduction of the Two Sisters 23:1-4

TRANSLATION

(1) And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of the same mother; (3) and they committed harlotry in Egypt; they committed harlotry in their youth; there were their breasts pressed, and there their virgin breasts were fondled. (4) And their names were Oholah the elder, and Oholibah her sister; and they became Mine, and bore sons and daughters. And as for their names, Samaria is Oholah, and Jerusalem is Oholibah.

COMMENTS

The allegory begins with the introduction of the two women, daughters of one mother. The two women are identified in Ezekiel 23:4 as Samaria and Jerusalem. Both cities had their origins in the nation Israel (Ezekiel 23:2). The tribes of Judah (represented by Jerusalem) and Ephraim (represented by Samaria) had both experienced the Egyptian bondage. But even in that formative period of Israel's history they had shown inclinations toward idolatry. Using the figure of sexual license the fondling of the breasts Ezekiel describes how God's people lost their virgin chastity even before leaving Egypt (Ezekiel 23:3). Nonetheless, the Lord married the sisters and produced children by them. The covenant relationship between God and Israel is frequently depicted in terms of a marriage in the Old Testament. The names of the sisters are given in Ezekiel 23:4. Samaria is Oholah (she who has a tent) and Jerusalem is Oholibah (a tent is in her). Both cities were noted for their religious shrines (tents).