Question 1

Who are Aholah and Aholibah in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Aholah and Aholibah are picture names for the two sister kingdoms that came from one people. Aholah stands for Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel. Her name means something like “her own tent,” pointing to how that kingdom set up its own worship apart from God’s chosen place. Aholibah stands for Jerusalem, the city where God’s temple was. Her name means “my tent is in her,” showing that God’s worship was in Jerusalem. Both sisters were joined to God, yet both turned away into idolatry.

Question 2

What does the “whoredom in Egypt” mean in this story?

Accepted Answer

The language about “whoredom in Egypt” is a strong picture for how God’s people first learned and practiced idolatry. While they were in Egypt in their early days as a nation, they took up the worship of Egypt’s gods. The talk about their youth, breasts, and bruised teats is not meant to stir up dirty thoughts but to show how ugly and shameful their early unfaithfulness was. It says their turning from God did not start late, but very early in their history.

Question 3

Why are the Assyrians and Babylonians called lovers?

Accepted Answer

The Assyrians and Babylonians are called lovers because God’s people chased them like someone running after an affair. Instead of trusting God for help and safety, they longed for these strong nations, their armies, and their idols. The fine clothes, horses, and handsome young men show how attractive these powers seemed. But this love was not clean or faithful; it was like adultery. By making these alliances and copying their worship, the people broke their bond with God, so God speaks of them as unfaithful lovers.

Question 4

Why did God hand Aholah and Aholibah over to their lovers?

Accepted Answer

God handing the sisters over to their lovers means He let the very nations they trusted become the tools of their judgment. Israel, shown by Aholah, ran after Assyria, and God allowed Assyria to conquer her, take her children, and kill many. Judah, shown by Aholibah, saw this but still ran after Assyria and then Babylon. In time, Babylon came and humbled Jerusalem. This shows a heavy truth: when people choose idols and human power over God, He may let those choices bring their own painful results.

Question 5

What is the meaning of the “men portrayed on the wall”?

Accepted Answer

The “men portrayed on the wall” are pictures of Chaldean or Babylonian soldiers painted in bright colors. Judah saw images of these warriors with fine belts and rich headgear and started to long for them. This shows how easily God’s people were drawn by appearance and power. They fell in love with the image before even meeting them. It is a picture of how the eye can lead the heart away, and how even art and symbols of a strong nation can pull someone into idolatry and wrong trust.

Question 6

Why does this passage use such blunt and shocking language?

Accepted Answer

The language in this passage is very blunt and even shocking on purpose. God uses the picture of sexual sin to show just how serious and ugly idolatry is. It is not a small mistake; it is like breaking a marriage. The strong words about bodies and lust are meant to make the reader feel how filthy and shameful it is to leave the living God for idols and foreign powers. This kind of talk is not to entertain, but to wake people up so they hate the sin as God does.

Question 7

What does this passage teach about God’s character?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows God as a faithful husband who cares deeply when His people turn away. He calls them “mine” and reminds them that they belonged to Him. When they run after idols and worldly power, God is not cold about it; He is grieved and angered, and He warns them again and again. Yet He is also just. When they refuse to turn back, He lets judgment fall and uses the very nations they trusted to discipline them. So we see both His deep love and His holy justice.

Question 8

How can this story about two sisters apply to life today?

Accepted Answer

This story warns against giving our hearts to anything in place of God. The sisters chased strong nations, armies, wealth, and idols, thinking these would keep them safe and satisfied. Today the names have changed, but the pull is similar. People can trust money, status, relationships, or governments more than God. This passage pushes us to ask what we are really leaning on. It calls us to turn from anything that takes God’s place in our hearts and to stay faithful to Him alone.

Ezekiel 23:1

The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,

The Two Adulterous Sisters

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Ezekiel 23:1

The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,

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The Two Adulterous Sisters

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