Aholibah is a symbolic name used in the book of Ezekiel to represent the southern kingdom of Judah. The name is part of an allegory found in Ezekiel 23, where the prophet Ezekiel uses the figures of two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, to depict the spiritual unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah. The name "Aholibah" is often understood to mean "My tent is in her," signifying God's presence among His people, as His temple was in Jerusalem, the capital of Judah.

Biblical Context

In Ezekiel 23, the narrative describes two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, who symbolize the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah, respectively. Oholah represents Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, while Oholibah represents Jerusalem, the capital of the southern kingdom of Judah. The chapter is a vivid portrayal of the idolatry and spiritual adultery committed by both kingdoms, with Oholibah's actions being particularly emphasized.

Ezekiel 23:4 : "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."

Spiritual Unfaithfulness

Aholibah's unfaithfulness is depicted through her alliances and idolatries with surrounding nations, which are described as acts of spiritual adultery. Despite being chosen by God and having His temple in her midst, Judah repeatedly turned to foreign powers and their gods, seeking security and prosperity through alliances rather than relying on the Lord.

Ezekiel 23:11 : "Her sister Oholibah saw this, yet she was more depraved in her lust than Oholah, and she also prostituted herself with the Assyrians."

The allegory continues to describe how Aholibah's infidelities led to her downfall. Her reliance on foreign nations and their gods ultimately resulted in judgment and destruction, as God allowed these very nations to turn against her.

Judgment and Consequences

The prophetic message in Ezekiel 23 serves as a warning of the consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness. Aholibah's account is a reminder of the seriousness with which God views idolatry and the breaking of the covenant relationship. The judgment pronounced upon Aholibah is severe, reflecting the gravity of her sins.

Ezekiel 23:22-23 : "Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Lord GOD says: 'I will stir up your lovers against you, those from whom you turned in disgust, and I will bring them against you from every side—the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, the men of Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, handsome young men, governors and commanders, all of them officers and men of renown, mounted on horses.'"

Theological Significance

The account of Aholibah is a powerful illustration of the covenant relationship between God and His people. It underscores the expectation of faithfulness and the consequences of turning away from God. The narrative serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of God's desire for a pure and devoted relationship with His people.

Aholibah's portrayal in Ezekiel is a sobering reflection on the nature of sin and the importance of remaining faithful to God. It highlights the dangers of idolatry and the need for reliance on God alone, rather than seeking security in worldly powers or alliances.Aholibah

my tent, or my tabernacle, in her

My tent is in her, the name of an imaginary harlot, applied symbolically to Jerusalem, because she had abandoned the worship of the true God and given herself up to the idolatries of foreign nations. (Ezek. 23:4, 11, 22, 36, 44). AHOLIBAH

a-ho'-li-ba. See OHOLIBAH.

172. Oholibah -- "tent in her," a symbolic name for Jer.
... Aholibah. (similarly with 'Oholah) for hoholiybahh {o''-hol-e-baw'}; from 'ohel;
my tent (is) in her; Oholibah, a symbolic name for Judah -- Aholibah. ...
/hebrew/172.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

Demonstration xxii. --Of Death and the Latter Times.
... house of Israel. [1186] And Ezekiel said concerning righteous men, [1187]
that they shall judge Ahola and Aholibah. Since, then, the ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxii of death and the.htm

Aholibah (5 Occurrences)
... (Ezek. 23:4, 11, 22, 36, 44). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AHOLIBAH.
a-ho'-li-ba. See OHOLIBAH. Multi-Version Concordance Aholibah (5 Occurrences). ...
/a/aholibah.htm - 8k

Aholah (4 Occurrences)
... Aholah (4 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/aholah.htm - 8k

Aholibamah (7 Occurrences)

/a/aholibamah.htm - 9k

Whoredoms (34 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:11 And when her sister Aholibah saw this, she was more corrupt in her
inordinate love than she, and in her whoredoms more than her sister in her ...
/w/whoredoms.htm - 17k

Inordinate (2 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:11 And when her sister Aholibah saw this, she was more corrupt in her
inordinate love than she, and in her whoredoms more than her sister in her ...
/i/inordinate.htm - 8k

Prostitutions (6 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:11 And when her sister Aholibah saw this, she was more corrupt in her
inordinate love than she, and in her prostitutions more than her sister in her ...
/p/prostitutions.htm - 8k

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

Aholiah
Aholiah. Aholiab, Aholiah. Aholibah . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia AHOLIAH.
a-ho-li'-a. See OHOLIAH. Aholiab, Aholiah. Aholibah . Reference Bible.
/a/aholiah.htm - 6k

Stirring (20 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:22 Therefore, O Aholibah, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Lo, I am stirring
up thy lovers against thee, From whom thy soul hath been alienated, And have ...
/s/stirring.htm - 12k

Rouse (25 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:22 Therefore, O Aholibah, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Lo, I am stirring
up thy lovers against thee, From whom thy soul hath been alienated, And have ...
/r/rouse.htm - 14k

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

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