King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 23:4 Mean?

Ezekiel 23:4 in the King James Version says “And the names of them were Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughte...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. Aholah: that is, His tent, or, tabernacle Aholibah: that is, My tabernacle in her”

Ezekiel 23:4 · KJV

Context

2

Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother:

3

And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity.

4

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. Aholah: that is, His tent, or, tabernacle Aholibah: that is, My tabernacle in her

5

And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbours,

6

Which were clothed with blue, captains and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses.

Read Ezekiel 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Oholah ('her tent') represents Samaria/Israel, while Oholibah ('my tent is in her') represents Jerusalem/Judah. The names ironically reference the tabernacle—Israel established unauthorized worship at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:26-33), while Judah possessed the true temple but defiled it with idolatry. Both bore sons and daughters, referring to their inhabitants who inherited spiritual adultery.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jeroboam I established golden calf worship at Dan and Bethel to prevent northern Israelites from returning to Jerusalem for festivals, deliberately violating the first and second commandments for political expediency.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can religious forms exist alongside spiritual adultery in your life?
  2. What warnings does this passage give about creating 'convenient' worship that suits personal preferences rather than God's commands?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וּשְׁמוֹתָ֕ן1 of 15

“And the names”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אָהֳלָ֔ה2 of 15

“is Aholah”

H170

oholah, a symbolic name for samaria

הַגְּדוֹלָה֙3 of 15

“the elder”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

אָהֳלִיבָֽה׃4 of 15

“Aholibah”

H172

oholibah, a symbolic name for judah

אֲחוֹתָ֔הּ5 of 15

“her sister”

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

וַתִּֽהְיֶ֣ינָה6 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לִ֔י7 of 15
H0
וַתֵּלַ֖דְנָה8 of 15

“and they were mine and they bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

בָּנִ֣ים9 of 15

“sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּבָנ֑וֹת10 of 15

“and daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וּשְׁמוֹתָ֕ן11 of 15

“And the names”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

שֹׁמְר֣וֹן12 of 15

“Samaria”

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

אָהֳלָ֔ה13 of 15

“is Aholah”

H170

oholah, a symbolic name for samaria

וִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם14 of 15

“and Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אָהֳלִיבָֽה׃15 of 15

“Aholibah”

H172

oholibah, a symbolic name for judah

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 23:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 23:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 16:8Psalms 45:11-161 Kings 12:26-33Ezekiel 16:20John 4:22Romans 7:4

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
Samaria 1Settlement · Modern: Samaria · 32.28°N, 35.20°E113 verses across 12 books
View all places in Ezekiel 23 →

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