Ezekiel 23:36 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 23:36 mean?

Ezekiel 23:36 describes God instructing the prophet Ezekiel to judge Aholah and Aholibah and to clearly announce their abominations. The verse shows God calling Ezekiel to confront these two figures with their wrongdoings, making their sins known.

In this verse, "the LORD" is speaking directly to Ezekiel, who is often called "son of man" throughout the book. Aholah and Aholibah are symbolic names for Samaria and Jerusalem, representing the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel. The situation is one of judgment: God is commanding Ezekiel to act as a judge and public accuser, exposing the serious sins of these two cities.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 23:36

• LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that the message comes with divine authority.
• judge (שָׁפַט, shafat): This word means to act as a judge or to pronounce judgment. Here, it highlights that Ezekiel is not just to observe but to actively declare a verdict against Aholah and Aholibah.
• declare (נָגַד, nagad): This verb means to make something known or to announce. God is telling Ezekiel to publicly reveal the abominations, not keep them hidden.
• abominations (תּוֹעֵבָה, to'evah): This word refers to acts that are detestable or repulsive, especially in a religious or moral sense. It underlines the seriousness of what Aholah and Aholibah have done.

Why Ezekiel 23:36 matters

• This verse clarifies that Ezekiel’s role is not only to receive messages from God but also to act as a judge and public messenger, making the people’s sins unmistakably clear.
• It shows that God’s judgment is not hidden or arbitrary; the charges are to be openly declared, giving the people a chance to understand exactly what they are being judged for.
• By naming Aholah and Aholibah, the verse connects to the larger allegory in Ezekiel 23, where these names represent Samaria and Jerusalem, highlighting the shared guilt and responsibility of both kingdoms.