Ezekiel 23:4

“And the names of them were Aholah the elder, &c.] Or, “the greater”f344 meaning the ten tribes of Israel, which were more in number than Judah, and greater in power and riches; their name, Aholah, signifies “her tent or tabernacle”, which was entirely their own, and not the Lord’s: their worship, and places of worship, were of their own appointing, namely, their calves at Daniel and Bethel; God had nothing to do with them, there he did not dwell; his tabernacle was not there, that was at Salem, (<197601>Psalm 76:1): and Aholibah her sister; which name signifies “my tent or tabernacle is in her”: this is the name of Judah or the two tribes, in which stood the temple of the Lord, where he was…”

“Aholah--that is, "Her tent" (put for worship, as the first worship of God in Israel was in a tent or tabernacle), as contrasted with Aholibah, that is, "My tent in her." The Beth-el worship of Samaria was of her own devising, not of God's appointment; the temple-worship of Jerusalem was expressly appointed by Jehovah, who "dwelt" there, "setting up His tabernacle among the people as His" (Exo 25:8; Lev 26:11-12; Jos 22:19; Psa 76:2). the elder--Samaria is called "the elder" because she preceded Judah in her apostasy and its punishment. they were mine--Previous to apostasy under Jeroboam, Samaria (Israel, or the ten tribes), equally with Judah, worshipped the true God. God therefore never…”

“Aholah ... and Aholibah - More correctly “Oholah” (“her own tent or tabernacle”) and “Oholibah” (“My tent or tabernacle is in her”): names chosen to express that after the division Israel set up her own tabernacle in the place of the temple in which God dwelt 1 Kings 12:32, while with Judah the Temple of God still remained. The presence of God aggravated Judah’s sins. In the times of the captivity it was customary among the Jews to give their children names connected with the temple or tabernacle. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Aholah - That is, his own tabernacle; for Israel falling off from the house of David, fell off from the tabernacle, or temple of God; so that all the temple they had was of their own making. The elder - Greater for number of tribes, and for power, wealth, and for multitudes of people. Aholibah - That is, my tabernacle in her: the two tribes had the temple of God with them. Mine - By solemn marriage - covenant. Bare sons - Were fruitful and brought forth children to me; they increased in numbers of people; and among these, some there were that were children of God by faith, love, and obedience. Ezekiel 23:5”

“23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”

“the names: The kingdom of Israel, of which Samaria was the capital, containing ten tribes, and occupying a larger extent of country than that of Judah, is therefore called "her elder sister;" and Aholah, the name given to her, implies that the whole religious establishment in Israel was a human invention, a temple and service of their own, and not of God's appointment. Aholibah, the name given to Judah, implies that the worship established there was from God, and that His temple was truly at Jerusalem. the elder: Eze 16:40; Kg1 12:20 they were: Eze 16:8, Eze 16:20; Exo 19:5, Exo 19:6; Psa 45:11-16; Jer 2:2, Jer 2:3; Rom 7:4 Aholah: that is, His tent, or tabernacle, Kg1 12:26-33; Joh 4:22…”