Ezekiel 23:4

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּשְׁמוֹתָ֕ן
And the names
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#2
אָהֳלָ֔ה
is Aholah
oholah, a symbolic name for samaria
#3
הַגְּדוֹלָה֙
the elder
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#4
אָהֳלִיבָֽה׃
Aholibah
oholibah, a symbolic name for judah
#5
אֲחוֹתָ֔הּ
her sister
a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)
#6
וַתִּֽהְיֶ֣ינָה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#7
לִ֔י
H0
#8
וַתֵּלַ֖דְנָה
and they were mine and they bare
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
#9
בָּנִ֣ים
sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#10
וּבָנ֑וֹת
and daughters
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#11
וּשְׁמוֹתָ֕ן
And the names
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#12
שֹׁמְר֣וֹן
Samaria
shomeron, a place in palestine
#13
אָהֳלָ֔ה
is Aholah
oholah, a symbolic name for samaria
#14
וִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
and Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#15
אָהֳלִיבָֽה׃
Aholibah
oholibah, a symbolic name for judah

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People