Ezekiel 23:3 meaning

In this troubling passage, the prophet Ezekiel uses vivid imagery to portray the infidelity of Israel and Judah toward God. Represented as sisters named Aholah and Aholibah, the two kingdoms are depicted as engaging in spiritual adultery, drawing on their past sins, particularly their idolatrous worship in Egypt. This metaphor serves to illustrate the severity of their betrayal, as turning away from God is likened to the most degrading acts of infidelity. The text emphasizes the corrupt nature of their alliances with foreign nations, which led to a further degradation of their relationship with God.

This commentary connects with themes of apostasy and idolatry as Aholah represents the northern kingdom, while Aholibah symbolizes Judah, both reflecting on their shared heritage yet diverging in their moral decline. Through their loathsome acts, they are subject to divine judgment, implying that such unfaithfulness renders them unfit for God's approval. This passage serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of abandoning faithfulness to God as seen in Ezekiel 23:3, which paints a grim portrait of a people who have desecrated their covenant with the Lord.