Introduction:
Oholah is a symbolic name used in the book of Ezekiel to represent the northern kingdom of Israel, also known as Samaria. The name appears in a prophetic allegory found in Ezekiel 23, where Oholah and her sister Oholibah (representing Judah) are depicted as two adulterous sisters. This allegory serves as a vivid illustration of the spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry of the two kingdoms.

Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Oholah" is derived from the Hebrew word "אָהֳלָה" (Oholah), which means "her tent." This name is significant in the context of the allegory, as it suggests a dwelling or place of worship, possibly alluding to the unauthorized places of worship established in the northern kingdom.

Biblical Context:
Oholah is introduced in Ezekiel 23:4: "The older was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They were Mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. As for their names, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem."

In the allegory, Oholah represents Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel. The narrative describes her as engaging in harlotry with the Assyrians, symbolizing Israel's political alliances and idolatrous practices. Ezekiel 23:5-7 states: "Oholah prostituted herself while she was still Mine. She lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians—warriors clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all desirable young men, horsemen mounted on steeds. She offered herself to them, to all the elite of the Assyrians, and defiled herself with all the idols of everyone she lusted after."

Historical and Theological Significance:
The allegory of Oholah serves as a powerful indictment of Israel's infidelity to God. Despite being chosen by God and entering into a covenant relationship with Him, the northern kingdom repeatedly turned to foreign nations and their gods, seeking security and prosperity through alliances rather than trusting in the Lord. This spiritual adultery ultimately led to Israel's downfall and exile at the hands of the Assyrians in 722 BC.

Theologically, the account of Oholah underscores the seriousness of idolatry and the consequences of forsaking the covenant with God. It serves as a warning to God's people about the dangers of compromising their faith and the inevitable judgment that follows unrepentant sin.

Prophetic Message:
Ezekiel's use of the allegory is intended to provoke a response from the people of Judah, who are represented by Oholibah. By highlighting the fate of Oholah, Ezekiel warns Judah of the impending judgment they face if they continue in the same path of unfaithfulness. The narrative calls for repentance and a return to exclusive devotion to God.

Conclusion:
While the account of Oholah is a somber reminder of Israel's spiritual failures, it also reflects God's desire for His people to remain faithful. The allegory serves as both a historical account and a timeless lesson on the importance of covenant loyalty and the dangers of idolatry.OHOLAH

o-ho'-la ('oholah; the King James Version Aholah): The exact meaning is a matter of dispute. As written, it seems to mean a tent-woman, or the woman living in a tent. With a mappik in the last consonant it could mean "her tent." The term is used symbolically by Ezekiel to designate Samaria or the kingdom of Israel (Ezekiel 23:4, 5, 36, 44).

See OHOLIBAH.

170. Oholah -- "she who has a tent," a symbolic name for Samaria
... 169, 170. Oholah. 171 . "she who has a tent," a symbolic name for Samaria.
Transliteration: Oholah Phonetic Spelling: (o-hol-aw') Short Definition: Oholah. ...
/hebrew/170.htm - 6k

172. Oholibah -- "tent in her," a symbolic name for Jer.
... (similarly with 'Oholah) for hoholiybahh {o''-hol-e-baw'}; from 'ohel; my tent
(is) in her; Oholibah, a symbolic name for Judah -- Aholibah. see HEBREW 'Oholah. ...
/hebrew/172.htm - 6k

Oholah (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia OHOLAH. o-ho'-la ('oholah; the King James Version
Aholah): The exact meaning is a matter of dispute. ...Oholah (4 Occurrences). ...
/o/oholah.htm - 8k

Oho'lah (4 Occurrences)
Oho'lah. Oholah, Oho'lah. Oholiab . Multi-Version Concordance ... And as for their
names, Samaria is Oholah, and Jerusalem Oholibah. (See RSV). ...
/o/oho'lah.htm - 7k

Oholibah (5 Occurrences)
... Oholibah (5 Occurrences). Ezekiel 23:4 The names of them were Oholah the elder,
and Oholibah her sister: and they became mine, and they bore sons and daughters. ...
/o/oholibah.htm - 8k

Ohol'ibah (5 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:4 And the names of them were Oholah the elder, and Oholibah her sister;
and they became Mine, and they bore sons and daughters. ...
/o/ohol'ibah.htm - 7k

Older (43 Occurrences)
... (BBE DBY NAS NIV). Ezekiel 23:4 Their names were Oholah, the older, and Oholibah,
her sister: and they became mine, and gave birth to sons and daughters. ...
/o/older.htm - 19k

Prostitute (83 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Ezekiel 23:5 Oholah played the prostitute when she was mine; and she
doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbors, (WEB). ...
/p/prostitute.htm - 33k

Elder (34 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:4 The names of them were Oholah the elder, and Oholibah her sister:
and they became mine, and they bore sons and daughters. ...
/e/elder.htm - 27k

Ohel (1 Occurrence)

/o/ohel.htm - 7k

Lusted (14 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Ezekiel 23:5 And Oholah played the harlot when she was mine; and she
lusted after her lovers, after the Assyrians her neighbours, (DBY NAS NIV). ...
/l/lusted.htm - 10k

Whorish (5 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:44 And they went in unto her, as they go in unto a whorish woman: so
went they in unto Oholah and unto Oholibah the lewd women. (DBY YLT). ...
/w/whorish.htm - 8k

Who are Oholah and Oholibah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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