Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 23

Verses 1-49

The next prophecy dealt with the sins of Samaria and Jerusalem under the figures of two women, Oholah and Oholibah. The prophet first described their sins. Samaria was charged with unfaithfulness in her confederacy with the Assyrians in that she allowed herself to be seduced by their wealth and their strength, from her loyalty to Jehovah. He also reminded her of her former confederacy with Judah. In consequence of this double sin she was handed over to the Assyrians who overcame and oppressed her.

The sin of Jerusalem was even more heinous than that of Samaria, and that notwithstanding the judgment she had seen falling on Samaria. She also made confederacy with Assyria, and subsequently more directly with Egypt, wherein she violated her Covenant with Jehovah. Against her also therefore Jehovah raised up those with whom she had been in unholy alliance, bringing them against her in full force, and allowing them to despoil and strip her.

Proceeding at the command of Jehovah, the prophet pronounced judgment on Oholah and Oholibah. In terrible language he again described the wickedness of the alliances formed between these two cities and the surrounding nations. Righteous men would judge them with the judgment of adulteresses. Under the figure of the Hebrew method of dealing with the sin of adultery, namely, stoning, the prophet described an assembly against these cities, carrying out this judgment, and destroying the people utterly. Again the purpose was declared to be to make lewdness cease out of the land in the interests of other cities here referred to under the figure of women, all this still in order to vindicate the honor of Jehovah.