Bible Dictionary
Aholah
Aholah was Ezekiel’s symbolic name for Samaria, portrayed as an unfaithful woman because of Israel’s idolatry and foreign alliances.
Definition
Aholah, meaning “she has her own tent,” is a symbolic name used by Ezekiel for the northern kingdom of Israel, represented as an unfaithful woman.
Biblical Usage
Ezekiel portrays Aholah as guilty of idolatry and of seeking foreign alliances, especially with Egypt and Assyria. Because of her crimes she was carried into captivity and ceased to be a kingdom.
Historical Background
Aholah is a prophetic symbol rather than the name of an ordinary woman. The image represents the northern kingdom’s abandonment of the worship of the true God.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
She has her own tent, a name used by Ezekiel (23:4, 5, 36, 44) as a symbol of the idolatry of the kingdom of Israel. This kingdom is described as a lewdwoman, an adulteress, given up to the abominations and idolatries of the Egyptians and Assyrians. Because of her crimes, she was carried away captive, and ceased to be a kingdom. (Comp. Ps. 78:67-69; 1 Kings 12:25-33; 2 Chr. 11:13-16.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-ho'-la. See OHOLAH.</p>