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.
Original Language Analysis
וּשְׁמוֹתָ֕ן
And the names
H8034
וּשְׁמוֹתָ֕ן
And the names
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
1 of 15
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
הַגְּדוֹלָה֙
the elder
H1419
הַגְּדוֹלָה֙
the elder
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
3 of 15
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
אֲחוֹתָ֔הּ
her sister
H269
אֲחוֹתָ֔הּ
her sister
Strong's:
H269
Word #:
5 of 15
a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)
וַתִּֽהְיֶ֣ינָה
H1961
וַתִּֽהְיֶ֣ינָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וַתֵּלַ֖דְנָה
and they were mine and they bare
H3205
וַתֵּלַ֖דְנָה
and they were mine and they bare
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
8 of 15
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
בָּנִ֣ים
sons
H1121
בָּנִ֣ים
sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּבָנ֑וֹת
and daughters
H1323
וּבָנ֑וֹת
and daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
10 of 15
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
וּשְׁמוֹתָ֕ן
And the names
H8034
וּשְׁמוֹתָ֕ן
And the names
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
11 of 15
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
Historical Context
Jeroboam I established golden calf worship at Dan and Bethel to prevent northern Israelites from returning to Jerusalem for festivals, deliberately violating the first and second commandments for political expediency.
Questions for Reflection
- How can religious forms exist alongside spiritual adultery in your life?
- What warnings does this passage give about creating 'convenient' worship that suits personal preferences rather than God's commands?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Oholah ('her tent') represents Samaria/Israel, while Oholibah ('my tent is in her') represents Jerusalem/Judah. The names ironically reference the tabernacle—Israel established unauthorized worship at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:26-33), while Judah possessed the true temple but defiled it with idolatry. Both bore sons and daughters, referring to their inhabitants who inherited spiritual adultery.