Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezekiel 23:5

"And Oholah played the harlot when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians [her] neighbors," — Ezekiel 23:5 (ASV)

The Assyrians her neighbours. —Or, the Assyrians drawing near. They are described in Ezekiel 23:40 as those who come from far. The nearness here spoken of is to be understood not locally, but spiritually, of sympathy in idolatry.

Of the earlier connection between Israel and Assyria, there is little remaining record. In 2 Kings 15:19–20, it is said that Pul exacted tribute from Menahem, and the mention seems to imply still earlier dealings. According to the Assyrian records, Jehu was tributary to Shalmaneser. Assyria, as representing the great northern power in contrast to Egypt on the south, is probably used here in a sense broad enough to include Syria as well.