Ezekiel 23: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Ezekiel 23 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh speaks to Ezekiel about two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, who are daughters of one mother (vv. 1-4). They played the prostitute in Egypt, and Oholah is likened to Samaria.

Key verse

“Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: ‘Because you have forgotten me, and cast me behind your back, therefore you also bear your lewdness and your prostitution.’”
Ezekiel 23:35 (WEB)

Outline

Ezekiel 23:1–4 Introduction of Oholah and Oholibah
Ezekiel 23:5–10 Oholah's Infidelity
Ezekiel 23:11–14 Oholibah's Worse Actions
Ezekiel 23:15–21 Oholibah's Further Prostitution
Ezekiel 23:22–30 Judgment Against Oholibah
Ezekiel 23:31–41 The Cup of Judgment
Ezekiel 23:42–49 Final Judgment and Consequences

Discussion questions

In v6, why does Oholah give herself to the Assyrians?
What does Oholibah do in v12 that shows her desire for the Assyrians?
In v18, why does God say His soul was 'alienated' from Oholibah?
In v39, what does it mean that they profaned the sanctuary while sacrificing children?
When have you felt 'alienated' due to choices you made about relationships?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Ezekiel 23: Ezekiel 16, Ezekiel 20, Hosea 2.

Before next time: read Ezekiel 24.