6th Century BC (During the Babylonian Exile)
The Israelites were living in exile, having been taken captive by the Babylonians. The culture was heavily influenced by Babylonian practices, which included idolatry and polytheism.
The Babylonian Empire was the dominant power, having conquered Jerusalem and taken many Israelites into exile. The political landscape was marked by Babylonian control over Judah.
The events and imagery in Ezekiel 23 refer to both Samaria (representing the Northern Kingdom of Israel) and Jerusalem (representing the Southern Kingdom of Judah).
The chapter uses the metaphor of two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, to describe the spiritual unfaithfulness of Samaria and Jerusalem. This reflects the societal norm of using marriage and adultery as metaphors for covenant faithfulness and unfaithfulness.
Ezekiel