Aholah is a symbolic name used in the book of Ezekiel to represent the northern kingdom of Israel, also known as Samaria. The name appears in Ezekiel 23, where the prophet Ezekiel delivers a parable of two sisters, Aholah and Aholibah, to illustrate the spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry of Israel and Judah. The name "Aholah" means "her tent" or "she has a tent," which may imply a reference to the unauthorized places of worship established in the northern kingdom.

Biblical Context

In Ezekiel 23, Aholah is depicted as the elder sister, representing Samaria. The narrative describes her as engaging in harlotry with neighboring nations, symbolizing Israel's alliances and idolatrous practices with foreign powers. The passage serves as a divine indictment against Israel for abandoning the covenant with Yahweh and pursuing the gods and customs of other nations.

Ezekiel 23:4 states: "The older was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They were Mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. As for their names, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem."

Historical and Theological Significance

The use of the name Aholah in Ezekiel's prophecy underscores the theme of spiritual adultery, a recurring motif in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament. The northern kingdom of Israel, established after the division of the united monarchy, quickly fell into idolatry under the leadership of Jeroboam I, who set up golden calves in Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:28-30). This act of apostasy set a precedent for subsequent kings and led to the eventual downfall of the kingdom.

Ezekiel's portrayal of Aholah's infidelity serves as a warning to the people of Judah, represented by Aholibah, about the consequences of forsaking their covenant relationship with God. The narrative emphasizes God's judgment upon Israel for her unfaithfulness, culminating in the Assyrian conquest and exile of the northern kingdom in 722 B.C.

Prophetic Imagery and Message

The imagery of Aholah as an unfaithful wife is a powerful metaphor for Israel's spiritual condition. It highlights the seriousness of idolatry and the breaking of the covenant with God. The prophetic message conveyed through Aholah's account is one of both judgment and a call to repentance. It serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the expectation of exclusive devotion from His people.

Ezekiel 23:9-10 further illustrates the consequences of Aholah's actions: "Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers, the Assyrians for whom she lusted. They exposed her nakedness, seized her sons and daughters, and killed her with the sword. Thus she became a byword among women, and judgment was executed against her."

Conclusion

The account of Aholah in Ezekiel 23 is a sobering reflection on the dangers of idolatry and the importance of faithfulness to God. It serves as a historical and theological lesson for both ancient and modern readers, emphasizing the need for repentance and the consequences of turning away from the Lord.Aholah

his tabernacle; his tent

She has her own tent, a name used by Ezekiel (23:4, 5, 36, 44) as a symbol of the idolatry of the kingdom of Israel. This kingdom is described as a lewdwoman, an adulteress, given up to the abominations and idolatries of the Egyptians and Assyrians. Because of her crimes, she was carried away captive, and ceased to be a kingdom. (Comp. Psalm 78:67-69; 1 Kings 12:25-33; 2 Chronicles 11:13-16.) AHOLAH

a-ho'-la. See OHOLAH.

170. Oholah -- "she who has a tent," a symbolic name for Samaria
... Word Origin from the same as ohel Definition "she who has a tent," a symbolic name
for Samaria NASB Word Usage Oholah (5). Aholah. ... Name for Samaria -- Aholah. ...
/hebrew/170.htm - 6k

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... And it will keep thee chaste to thy husband Christ Jesus, and preserve thee from
committing fornications with Egypt as Aholah and Aholibah, and joining so ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

The Third Trumpet.
... and Ezek. C. xxiii. v.4, "Their names (ie the names of Samaria and Jerusalem)
are Aholah and Aholibah." Add Isa. C. viii. Hosea, ci ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the third trumpet.htm

Aholah (4 Occurrences)
... 16.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AHOLAH. a-ho'-la. See OHOLAH.
Multi-Version Concordance Aholah (4 Occurrences). Ezekiel ...
/a/aholah.htm - 8k

Aholibah (5 Occurrences)
... 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. ...
/a/aholibah.htm - 8k

Aholiab (5 Occurrences)

/a/aholiab.htm - 8k

Neighbouring (11 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Ezekiel 23:5 And go a-whoring doth Aholah under Me, And she doteth
on her lovers, On the neighbouring Assyrians, (YLT). Ezekiel ...
/n/neighbouring.htm - 9k

Oholah (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia OHOLAH. o-ho'-la ('oholah; the King James
Version Aholah): The exact meaning is a matter of dispute. ...
/o/oholah.htm - 8k

Doteth (3 Occurrences)
... Doteth (3 Occurrences). Ezekiel 23:5 And go a-whoring doth Aholah under Me, And
she doteth on her lovers, On the neighbouring Assyrians, (YLT). ...
/d/doteth.htm - 7k

Playeth (5 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:44 Yet they went in unto her, as they go in unto a woman that playeth
the harlot: so went they in unto Aholah and unto Aholibah, the lewd women. ...
/p/playeth.htm - 7k

Aho'hite (4 Occurrences)
Aho'hite. Ahohite, Aho'hite. Aholah . Multi-Version Concordance Aho'hite (4
Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Ahohite, Aho'hite. Aholah . Reference Bible.
/a/aho'hite.htm - 7k

Sama'ria (102 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:4 And their names 'are' Aholah the elder, And Aholibah her sister,
And they are Mine, and bear sons and daughters. As ...
/s/sama'ria.htm - 34k

A-whoring (35 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Ezekiel 23:5 And go a-whoring doth Aholah under Me, And she doteth
on her lovers, On the neighbouring Assyrians, (YLT). Ezekiel ...
/a/a-whoring.htm - 17k

Who are Oholah and Oholibah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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