Ezekiel 23 2

Ezekiel 23:2 kjv

Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother:

Ezekiel 23:2 nkjv

"Son of man, there were two women, The daughters of one mother.

Ezekiel 23:2 niv

"Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother.

Ezekiel 23:2 esv

"Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother.

Ezekiel 23:2 nlt

"Son of man, once there were two sisters who were daughters of the same mother.

Ezekiel 23 verses

Ezekiel 23 2 Meaning

The verse declares that two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, represent the cities of Samaria and Jerusalem, respectively. These names signify their spiritual unfaithfulness to God.

Ezekiel 23 2 Context

This chapter in Ezekiel's prophecy is part of a larger allegory of unfaithfulness directed at the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The immediate context is the impending Babylonian exile as a consequence of their repeated sins. Ezekiel is commanded to pronounce judgment upon them by detailing their adulterous relationship with foreign nations, mirroring their spiritual infidelity with other gods. The allegorical names "Oholah" (her tent) and "Oholibah" (my tent is in her) highlight the corrupted worship and practice originating from and centered within the perceived "tabernacle" or dwelling place of God, both in the northern kingdom (Samaria) and the southern kingdom (Jerusalem).

Ezekiel 23 2 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A conjunction, linking phrases and ideas. Here it connects the son of man's command to the symbolic naming of the cities.

• the son (בֶּן - ben): Son. In this context, it refers to the prophet Ezekiel himself, often addressed by God as "son of man."

• of man, (אָדָם - adam): Man, humankind. Reinforces Ezekiel's humanity and his role as a messenger to humanity.

• say (דַּבֵּר - dabber): Speak, declare. A strong imperative to communicate God's message.

• unto (אֶל - el): To, towards. Indicates the recipient of the message.

• them, (לָהֶם - lahem): To them (masculine plural). Refers collectively to the people of Israel and Judah.

• There (שָׁם - sham): There. Points to a location or existence, setting the stage for the names that follow.

• were (הָיוּ - hayu): Were. Past tense of "to be," indicating their existence or representation.

• two (שְׁתַּיִם - shtayim): Two. Specifies the number of sisters.

• women, (נָשִׁים - nashim): Women. A plural feminine noun, representing entities or kingdoms.

• the (אֶל - el): To, unto. Can also mean "in relation to."

• daughters (בְּנוֹת - benot): Daughters. Plural feminine noun.

• of (בַּת - bat): Daughter. Here it implies lineage or representation.

• one (אַחַת - akhat): One. Specifies the first of the two sisters.

• mother, (אֵם - em): Mother. Signifies origin or a primary entity from which others are derived.

• and (וְ - ve): Conjunction.

• the (שְׁמָהּ - shmah): Her name. Possessive pronoun.

• name (שֵׁם - shem): Name. Indicates identity.

• of (הָאַחַת - ha'akhat): The one. The first one.

• Oholah; (אוֹהֹלָה - Oholah): "Her tent." Signifies independence and the establishment of her own sanctuary, away from the central worship at Jerusalem, representing Samaria and the northern kingdom of Israel.

• and (וְ - ve): Conjunction.

• the (וּשְׁמָהּ - ushmah): And her name. Possessive pronoun.

• name (שֵׁם - shem): Name.

• of (שֵׁנִית - shenit): Second. Refers to the second sister.

• the (הַשֵּׁנִית - hashenit): The second.

• other (אַחַת - akhat): Another, one.

• Oholibah. (אוֹלִיבָה - Oholibah): "My tent is in her." Signifies that the true tent, the sanctuary, is indeed within her. This represents Jerusalem and the southern kingdom of Judah.

• Grouped Analysis:

  • "the son of man, say unto them" – establishes the prophet's role as an intermediary, carrying God's direct word.
  • "There were two women, the daughters of one mother" – sets up the allegorical relationship, two distinct entities (kingdoms) sharing a common origin and ultimately falling due to the same inherent sin. The "one mother" symbolizes Israel as a whole, from which both northern and southern kingdoms separated.
  • "and the name of the one Oholah; and the name of the other Oholibah" – introduces the symbolic names that immediately define their spiritual state and foreshadow their actions and consequences. "Oholah" representing Samaria, signifying its self-established worship apart from divine ordinance; "Oholibah" representing Jerusalem, whose divine connection has become corrupted.

Ezekiel 23 2 Bonus Section

The symbolism of the "tent" in ancient Israelite culture is crucial. The Tabernacle in the wilderness and later the Temple in Jerusalem were not just buildings but manifestations of God's dwelling among His people. For Samaria to have "her tent," a separate place of worship, represented a deliberate separation from the covenant relationship established at Sinai and reaffirmed at Jerusalem. For Jerusalem to have "my tent in her" signified God's presence, but as the prophecy unfolds, this divine dwelling became defiled by the nation's sin. This dual representation serves as a powerful indictment of how the sacred can be corrupted when not maintained in holiness and faithfulness. The naming convention itself is an act of prophecy, foretelling the outcome of their actions.

Ezekiel 23 2 Commentary

Ezekiel 23:2 introduces a profound allegory that is central to understanding the spiritual decline of both Israel (Samaria) and Judah (Jerusalem). The symbolic names, Oholah and Oholibah, are not arbitrary but carry deep theological weight. Oholah, meaning "her tent," points to Samaria's erection of its own places of worship, bypassing God's designated sanctuary and thereby apostatizing. Oholibah, meaning "my tent is in her," initially signifies Jerusalem's divine favor as the location of God's tabernacle. However, the chapter later reveals that Oholibah, despite her privileged position, becomes even more corrupt than Oholah through her engagement with foreign alliances and idolatrous practices, betraying the very presence of God within her. This verse, therefore, establishes a contrast in their outward claims of worship while setting the stage for a detailed depiction of their shared moral and spiritual failure.