Summary of Ezekiel

Revised by Tyler Mayfield (6/23)

SUMMARY

The book of EzekielEzekiel was a priest and prophet who was raised in Jerusalem and exiled to Babylon in 597 BCE. contains the prophecies, visions, and symbolic actions of Ezekiel, an exilic prophet who lived among the exiles in Babylon. This prophetic book is filled with deeply symbolic visions and extreme actions from a man of zealous faith and profound spiritual vision. The book struggles to respond to the terrible catastrophe of the destruction of Jerusalem and the TempleThe Jerusalem temple, unlike the tabernacle, was a permanent structure, although (like the tabernacle) it was a place of worship and religious activity. On one occasion Jesus felt such activity was unacceptable and, as reported in all four Gospels, drove from the temple those engaged…. It includes an awesome vision of the throne-chariot of God; prophecies of the judgment of God on JudahJudah was the name of Jacob’s fourth son and one of the 12 tribes. and Jerusalem (including the future and final fallThe Fall refers specifically to the disobedience of Adam and Eve when they listened to Satan rather than adhering to God’s command not to eat the fruit from the tree. When people act contrary to God’s will, they are said to fall from from grace… of the city); prophecies against the nations surrounding Israel; and many symbolic actions and visions. The book concludes with visions of the future restoration of the land and the Temple, and the return of the glory of the Lord (God’s presence) to Israel forever.

SO WHAT?

Ezekiel is a difficult but rewarding book, full of symbols and allegories. It contains a powerful vision of God, the Lord of history and judge of the nations. The awesome majesty of God and the honor and glory of the Lord in judgment and mercyMercy is a term used to describe leniency or compassion. God’s mercy is frequently referred to or invoked in both the Old and New Testaments. are constant themes of the prophecies and visions of this book. The book’s theological message addresses the changing political landscape of Israel during a time of upheaval. 

WHERE DO I FIND IT?

Ezekiel is the 26th book in the Old Testament; it comes between Lamentations and DanielAn interpreter of dreams who was delivered from the lions’ den..

WHO WROTE IT?

The book is ascribed to Ezekiel, son of Buzi, priestA priest is a person who has the authority to perform religious rites. In New Testament times priests were responsible for daily offerings and sacrifices in the temple. and prophet. He was raised in Jerusalem in a priestly family and lived with the Jews in Babylon during the exile. Ezekiel the person is difficult to retrieve from history because of the scant personal information about him in his prophetic book. Even though the book is written in first person, we learn only a few details about his life. He was married but we know only of his wife’s death. He was both a priest and a prophet. He was an exile who was deported to Babylon in 597 BCE. We do not have additional information about the prophet from other sources. Ezekiel probably did not write the whole book, but it represents his visions, prophecies, and symbolic acts.

WHEN WAS IT WRITTEN?

The prophecies within the book date from about 593-571 BCE. Scholars generally accept that the basic form of these prophecies originates from the experience of exile. It may have been some years until the book as we have it was compiled and edited by Ezekiel’s followers after the exile.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

The book contains the prophecies, visions, and symbolic acts of Ezekiel during the exile, concerning the Temple, Jerusalem, Judah, and the nations. The book addresses the catastrophe of the Babylonian Exile with a new theological understanding of central religious components. 

HOW DO I READ IT?

The book of Ezekiel is full of symbols and allegories. For many passages a literal interpretation will only confuse and mislead the reader. Ezekiel borrows symbols from earlier Old Testament books. Pay attention to the prophet’s symbolic actions, which often accompany his words as powerful enacted parables. Always keep in mind the historical and political context of the prophet in exile. His symbolic visions and allegories often have historical meaning, even while they are drawn in colors from beyond history.