Oholibah
Oholibah was a symbolic name given to Jerusalem, representing the southern kingdom of Judah in Ezekiel's prophecy.
Biography
Oholibah is a symbolic figure in the prophecy of Ezekiel, representing Jerusalem and the southern kingdom of Judah. In the allegory of Ezekiel 23, she is presented as the sister of Oholah (Samaria), and both are depicted as daughters who turned to spiritual harlotry. Oholibah's name, meaning 'my tent is in her,' alludes to the legitimate presence of God's temple in Jerusalem. Despite this privileged status, Oholibah witnessed her sister's destruction by Assyria yet failed to learn from the example. Instead, she surpassed Oholah in unfaithfulness, pursuing alliances with both Assyria and Babylon while adopting their idolatrous practices (Ezekiel 23:11-21). God pronounced that Oholibah would drink the same cup of judgment as her sister, culminating in Jerusalem's fall to Babylon in 586 BC.
Significance
Oholibah's portrayal carries a devastating theological message: greater privilege brings greater accountability. While her name acknowledged that God's dwelling was in Jerusalem, this sacred proximity made Judah's unfaithfulness more grievous, not less. The allegory reveals that witnessing the judgment of others without repenting constitutes a compounding of guilt (Ezekiel 23:11). Oholibah's story dismantles any presumption that possessing the temple or outward religious institutions guarantees divine protection. Her judgment demonstrates God's impartiality, even His chosen city faces consequences for covenant betrayal. This prophetic narrative underscores a theme later echoed by Jesus: 'From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded' (Luke 12:48).
Verse Appearances (5)
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]