Oholibah 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 metaphor of two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, to depict the spiritual unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah. The name "Oholibah" means "My tent is in her," signifying God's dwelling place among His people, as the temple was located in Jerusalem, the capital of Judah.

Biblical Context

In Ezekiel 23, the prophet presents a vivid and graphic allegory to convey the spiritual adultery and idolatry of the two kingdoms. Oholah represents Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, while Oholibah represents Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. The narrative describes how both sisters engaged in harlotry, symbolizing their alliances and idolatrous practices with surrounding 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."

Spiritual Unfaithfulness

Oholibah's actions are detailed in Ezekiel 23:11-21, where her infidelity is described as even more depraved than that of her sister Oholah. Despite witnessing the consequences of Oholah's unfaithfulness, Oholibah pursued alliances with powerful nations such as Assyria and Babylon, adopting their idols and practices. This behavior is depicted as spiritual adultery, a betrayal of the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Ezekiel 23:18 highlights Oholibah's actions: "When Oholibah openly prostituted herself and exposed her nakedness, I turned away from her in disgust, just as I had turned away from her sister."

Judgment and Consequences

The allegory of Oholibah serves as a warning of impending judgment due to Judah's persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness. God declares that the same nations with whom Oholibah committed spiritual adultery would become instruments of His judgment against her. The prophecy foretells the Babylonian invasion and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.

Ezekiel 23:22-24 pronounces this judgment: "Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Lord GOD says: 'I will incite your lovers against you, those from whom you turned in disgust. 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 Oholibah serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of spiritual infidelity and the importance of faithfulness to God. It underscores the seriousness with which God views idolatry and the breaking of His covenant. The allegory also highlights God's justice and His willingness to use foreign nations as instruments of His judgment, while still holding out hope for repentance and restoration.

The narrative of Oholibah, while stark and sobering, ultimately points to the need for a faithful relationship with God, free from the entanglements of idolatry and worldly alliances.OHOLIBAH

W. W. Davies

172. Oholibah -- "tent in her," a symbolic name for Jer.
... 171, 172. Oholibah. 173 . "tent in her," a symbolic name for Jer. Transliteration:
Oholibah Phonetic Spelling: (o''-hol-ee-baw') Short Definition: Oholibah ...
/hebrew/172.htm - 6kOholibah (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia OHOLIBAH. WW Davies. Multi-Version
Concordance Oholibah (5 Occurrences). Ezekiel 23:4 The names ...
/o/oholibah.htm - 8k

Ohol'ibah (5 Occurrences)
Ohol'ibah. Oholibah, Ohol'ibah. Oholibamah . Multi-Version Concordance ... And as
for their names, Samaria is Oholah, and Jerusalem Oholibah. (See RSV). ...
/o/ohol'ibah.htm - 7k

Oholah (4 Occurrences)
... See OHOLIBAH. ... Ezekiel 23:4 The names of them were Oholah the elder, and Oholibah
her sister: and they became mine, and they bore sons and daughters. ...
/o/oholah.htm - 8k

Oho'lah (4 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:4 And the names of them were Oholah the elder, and Oholibah her sister;
and they became Mine, and they bore sons and daughters. ...
/o/oho'lah.htm - 7k

Oho'liab (5 Occurrences)
Oho'liab. Oholiab, Oho'liab. Oholibah . Multi-Version Concordance Oho'liab
(5 Occurrences). ... Oholiab, Oho'liab. Oholibah . Reference Bible.
/o/oho'liab.htm - 7k

Older (43 Occurrences)
... (BBE DBY NAS NIV). Ezekiel 23:4 Their names were Oholah, the older, and Oholibah,
her sister: and they became mine, and gave birth to sons and daughters. ...
/o/older.htm - 19k

Elder (34 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:4 The names of them were Oholah the elder, and Oholibah her sister:
and they became mine, and they bore sons and daughters. ...
/e/elder.htm - 27k

Unmeasured (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:11 And her sister Oholibah saw this, but her desire was even more unmeasured,
and her loose behaviour was worse than that of her sister. (BBE). ...
/u/unmeasured.htm - 7k

Whorish (5 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:44 And they went in unto her, as they go in unto a whorish woman: so
went they in unto Oholah and unto Oholibah the lewd women. (DBY YLT). ...
/w/whorish.htm - 8k

Fornications (14 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:11 And her sister Oholibah saw this, and was more corrupt in her passion
than she, and in her fornications more than the whoredoms of her sister. ...
/f/fornications.htm - 10k

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

Questions about Ezekiel | GotQuestions.org

What are the ophanim? | GotQuestions.org

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