Oholah and Oholibah are symbolic names given to the kingdoms of Samaria and Jerusalem in the book of Ezekiel. They represent God’s unfaithful people who have turned to idolatry and paganism.
The names Oholah and Oholibah first appear in Ezekiel 23, where God gives Ezekiel a message in the form of an allegory about two sisters, representing Samaria and Jerusalem. Oholah represents Samaria, the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel, while Oholibah represents Jerusalem, the capital of the southern kingdom of Judah.
Meaning of the names Oholah and Oholibah
The name Oholah means “her tent” or “my tent is in her.” This refers to the tents used for the worship of idols by the northern kingdom of Israel. The name indicates that Israel had set up idols and false gods in their midst rather than worshipping the one true God.
The name Oholibah means “my tent is in her” or “tent in her.” This name conveys a similar meaning for Jerusalem and the southern kingdom of Judah, indicating they too had embraced idols and pagan gods.
Oholah as a representation of Samaria
As mentioned, Oholah is a symbolic name representing Samaria, the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel. God accuses the kingdom of Israel of spiritual adultery. Despite being in a covenant relationship with God, Israel turned away to worship other gods and idols:
“Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother. They played the whore in Egypt; they played the whore in their youth; there their breasts were pressed and their virgin bosoms handled. Oholah was the name of the elder and Oholibah the name of her sister. Oholah became mine, and she bore sons and daughters. And as for their names, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.” (Ezekiel 23:2-4)
Israel is compared to an unfaithful wife who has prostituted herself with other lovers, representing the idolatry and making of graven images. The nation had abandoned God despite His love and grace shown toward them.
Key passages about Oholah
Here are some key passages that mention Oholah and her sinful ways:
“But she carried her whoring further. She saw men portrayed on the wall, the images of the Chaldeans portrayed in vermilion, wearing belts on their waists, with flowing turbans on their heads, all of them having the appearance of officers, a likeness of Babylonians whose native land was Chaldea. When she saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.” (Ezekiel 23:14-16)
“Therefore, O Oholibah, thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I will stir up against you your lovers from whom you turned in disgust, and I will bring them against you from every side: the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod and Shoa and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, desirable young men, governors and commanders all of them, officers and men of renown, all of them riding on horses.” (Ezekiel 23:22-23)
These passages describe how Oholah (Samaria) turned to false political alliances, rather than trusting in God. This included turning to Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon for help rather than relying on God. The “lovers” here refer to these ungodly nations.
Oholibah as a representation of Jerusalem
The other symbolic name used is Oholibah, representing Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah. Just like Israel, Judah is accused of spiritual unfaithfulness and adultery:
“Her sister Oholibah saw this, and she became more corrupt than her sister in her lust and in her whoring, which was worse than that of her sister. She lusted after the Assyrians, governors and commanders, warriors clothed in full armor, horsemen riding on horses, all of them desirable young men. And I saw that she was defiled; they both took the same way.” (Ezekiel 23:11-13)
Despite seeing what happened to Israel, Judah followed in the same pattern of idolatry. Jeremiah repeatedly warned Judah about this, but they failed to repent.
Key passages about Oholibah
Here are some other key passages concerning Oholibah as a symbol for Jerusalem’s sin:
“But she carried her whoring further. She saw men portrayed on the wall, the images of the Chaldeans portrayed in vermilion… When her eyes saw them, she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea. And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoring lust.” (Ezekiel 23:14-17)
“Oholibah, thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I will stir up against you your lovers from whom you turned in disgust, and I will bring them against you from every side: the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod and Shoa and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, desirable young men, governors and commanders all of them, officers and men of renown, all of them riding on horses.” (Ezekiel 23:22-23)
These passages condemn Jerusalem for seeking out ungodly alliances with nations like Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon. Rather than relying on God, Judah put their trust in foreign powers. Yet God brought judgment on Jerusalem by allowing the Babylonians to conquer them.
Judgment against Oholah and Oholibah
Because of the intense idolatry and lack of faith in God, the prophet Ezekiel pronounces judgments against both kingdoms symbolized by Oholah and Oholibah:
“Therefore thus says the Lord God: Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, you yourself must bear the consequences of your lewdness and whoring.” (Ezekiel 23:35)
“For thus says the Lord God: I will deal with you as you have done, you who have despised the oath in breaking the covenant.” (Ezekiel 16:59)
As a result, the Assyrians conquered Israel in 722 BC and took them into captivity. Later, Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the temple and took Jews captive for 70 years starting in 586 BC.
Lessons from Oholah and Oholibah
The symbolic names of Oholah and Oholibah provide several important lessons for God’s people today:
- God wants His people to remain faithful and avoid idolatry. Worshipping idols is spiritual adultery.
- Relying on worldly nations and political alliances shows a lack of trust in God.
- God will discipline and judge His people if they are unfaithful and disobedient.
- The wages of sin lead to death, but God provides forgiveness and mercy to the repentant.
- God grieves when His beloved people turn away from Him.
- The Lord is faithful even when His people are unfaithful.
Symbolic names in Ezekiel
Oholah and Oholibah are not the only symbolic names used in Ezekiel’s prophecies. Here are some others:
- Jerusalem as Aholah and Aholibah – Also symbolic names for Jerusalem meaning “my tent is in her” (Ezekiel 23:4-5)
- God’s people as Oholibah – Compared to a prostitute and harlot (Ezekiel 23:11)
- False prophets as jackals – Greedy and destructive (Ezekiel 13:4)
- King of Tyre as the anointed cherub – Condemned for pride over worldly riches (Ezekiel 28:14)
- Pharaoh as a sea monster – Powerful but destined to be caught and destroyed (Ezekiel 32:2)
Ezekiel uses symbolic language to vividly portray spiritual truths. The names Oholah and Oholibah represent God’s people who were called to be faithful to Him alone, but tragically turned to spiritual adultery through rampant idolatry and false trust in other nations rather than the one true God.
Oholah and Oholibah in the larger context of Ezekiel
The extended allegory of Oholah and Oholibah in Ezekiel 23 fits within the larger context of Ezekiel’s prophecies and themes:
- God will judge Judah and Jerusalem for sins like idolatry, injustice, and religious hypocrisy.
- But there is also a message of hope – God will restore and redeem a remnant.
- Vivid symbolic language is used to portray spiritual truths.
- Israel and Judah are condemned as unfaithful brides of Yahweh.
- Appalling immorality, violence, and idolatry will be judged.
- The need for personal responsibility and repentance.
- God’s jealousy over His holy name and reputation.
- The promise of spiritual restoration, renewal, and the New Covenant.
Oholah and Oholibah serve as a striking illustration of Israel and Judah’s horrific spiritual unfaithfulness toward God despite His mercy and love shown to them. Yet God still provides opportunity for repentance and restoration for those who turn back to Him.
Summary of Oholah and Oholibah
In summary:
- Oholah and Oholibah are symbolic names for Samaria and Jerusalem used in Ezekiel 23.
- Oholah represents the northern kingdom of Israel’s idolatry and unfaithfulness.
- Oholibah symbolizes the same pattern with the southern kingdom of Judah.
- The extended metaphor portrays Israel and Judah as unfaithful brides abandoning God’s love for false idols and pagan nations.
- God pronounces devastating judgments on both nations for their sins.
- Ezekiel uses vivid symbolic language to illustrate the covenant unfaithfulness of God’s people.
- The names serve as a warning against idolatry and as a call to wholehearted devotion to the Lord.
Though God disciplines those He loves, He is also quick to show mercy and forgiveness to those who turn back to Him in repentance. Oholah and Oholibah provide a somber warning as well as hope of redemption to all who have turned from the Lord.