Ezekiel 23

This chapter, like chapter 16, tells the history of the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah. It does this through an extended metaphor (a comparison that continues through many verses).

In this comparison, Samaria and Jerusalem, the capital cities, are described as two immoral women. The language is strong and direct.

This metaphor shows that their judgment was certain and deserved.

daughters of the same mother: They came from the same nation, and their lives were very similar. Even their names, Oholah and Oholibah, sound alike.

They became prostitutes by worshiping false gods.

Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (for example, Isaiah 54:1–8; Ephesians 5:22–33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (for example, Hosea 1–3). God makes his covenants even though his people are sinful. He does not choose them because of their good character (Romans 5:6–11).

Oholah: The northern kingdom did not embrace God's covenant of grace. Instead, it was drawn to Assyria's power and prestige. Israel formed alliances with Assyria as part of its political strategy starting in the 800s BC. However, these alliances did not protect Israel in the end.

The Assyrian army conquered the northern kingdom in 722 BC, scattering its people across the Assyrian Empire.

Samaria’s reputation and punishment were known to everyone in Ezekiel’s time. Her sister, Oholibah (Jerusalem), followed the same pattern of life and was even worse than her sister. The kings of Judah thought it was wise to form alliances with Babylon and Assyria. However, the prophet saw this as a pattern of ongoing spiritual unfaithfulness.

When the people of Jerusalem thought of Egypt, they did not remember how the Lord freed them during the exodus. Instead, they recalled the forbidden pleasures they had enjoyed there.

Jerusalem’s sin was very great. Because of this, God’s judgment could not be avoided.

The same nations that Jerusalem had trusted and depended on would now attack her. Babylon would come with its allies, Pekod, Shoa, and Koa.

These tribal names are not well-known. However, they sound like Hebrew words that mean “punishment,” “war cry,” and “shriek” (a loud cry of fear or pain).

Judah’s sins were worse than those of her sister kingdom. So her punishment would also be worse.

In the ancient world, people sometimes punished an adulterous wife by stripping her naked. This public act exposed in public what she had done in private (her unfaithfulness in marriage). This was meant to bring shame as punishment for adultery (see study note on Ezekiel 16:35–38).

In a similar way, the Babylonians took away everything valuable from Jerusalem and Judah. They left the people exposed and ashamed before other nations.

You will drink your sister’s cup: Jerusalem would have to drink from this bitter cup of judgment, just like Samaria did. The pain from this judgment would make her beat (or tear) her breast in anguish.

The prophet again took the role of a prosecuting attorney. A prosecuting attorney is a person who brings charges against someone in court. His task was to confront Jerusalem with her sins (detailed in Ezekiel 22).

Jerusalem and Samaria were supposed to be holy cities, set apart for God. Instead, they had become like worn-out prostitutes. This picture shows that they had been unfaithful to God. Their only attraction was their availability, meaning they were ready to give themselves to anyone.

The prophet used this strong image to show how serious their unfaithfulness was. They had turned away from the Lord and given their loyalty to other gods and foreign nations.

The sisters' enemies would attack them with stones and swords, like an invading army. In a typical invasion, not only would the prostitutes die, but their sons and daughters would also die. The enemy would burn their homes. Those who rebelled against the Lord and followed false gods would face death as punishment.