Ezekiel

I

Introduction

Ezekiel, major prophetic book of the Old Testament, attributed to the prophet Ezekiel (flourished 597-571 bc). Although the prophet was probably responsible for most of the text, the book (particularly Chapters 40-48) gives clear indications of later editing or compiling by his disciples.

II

Origins

Most scholars date the Book of Ezekiel from the first half of the 6th century bc. The prophet was one of the captives deported to Babylonia in 597 bc, 11 years before the fall of Jerusalem. His role as prophet and spiritual leader dates from about 592 bc; his knowledge of the rites of Temple worship indicates that he was a priest before the exile. Ezekiel's role from 597 to 586 bc was that of a prophet of doom; after the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, his role became that of comforter and inspirer. With the restoration of Israel, Ezekiel became lawmaker, codifier, and designer of the form and structure of Hebrew worship. Islam identifies Ezekiel (Hizkil) with the Koranic prophet Dhul-Kifl.

III

Contents

The book falls roughly into four parts. In the first section (chap. 1-24), Ezekiel rebukes the people for idolatry and numerous other sins. Because the entire nation has turned away from God, he prophesies that Judah will fall, Jerusalem will be destroyed, and the people will be led away into captivity; such is the just and inescapable doom of any who break their covenant with God. In the second section (chap. 25-32), Ezekiel prophesies the destruction of foreign peoples and the destruction of enemies of Judah. Here God is revealed as omnipotent and as universal; he is the Lord of all the nations everywhere, not only the God of Judah.

Thus the second section amplifies a theme first developed in Chapter 1, in the vision of God's chariot. In the third section (chap. 33-39), Ezekiel offers comfort to those (now) in exile. He predicts the restoration of Jerusalem and of the Temple, and he prophesies the return of God's spirit, or presence. Ezekiel's vision of the valley of the dry bones (37:1-14), one of the most famous in the Old Testament, depicts graphically how the presence of God is the crucial difference between the living and the dead. In the final section (chap. 40-48), Ezekiel envisions in all its details the future theocratic homeland of the Jews.

IV

Influence on Judaism

The apocalyptic nature of certain parts of the book (for example, the final defeat of Gog described in chap. 38-39, and the new Jerusalem described in the final nine chapters) and the often-repeated expression “son of man” have had a strong influence on Christianity and on certain New Testament books (see Apocalyptic Writings; Messiah; Revelation). Several major themes in the book have also profoundly influenced the development of Judaism. The conception of Israel as a sacred and exclusive nation is attributed to Ezekiel. He is also responsible for instilling a profound belief in the coming of a Messiah. Ezekiel was the first of the major Hebrew prophets to consider the ultimate consequences of the withdrawal of God's spirit from his chosen people. He sees exile and the destruction of the Temple as inevitable punishments for those who disobey God; therefore he stresses the importance of obedience to God. Another of his major themes is that of God as the ruler of history. To emphasize this idea, he frequently uses the phrase (or variants of it) “then they will know that I am the Lord”, coupled with a dire prophecy against Judah or an enemy of Judah. The vision of the valley of the dry bones illustrates yet another significant theme: that of the spirit of God as an animating force creating life in the midst of death.

Ezekiel was an extraordinarily expressive and richly inventive stylist, and his book is a masterpiece of Old Testament writing. The principal significance of the book , however, lies in its place in the development of Judaism. Ezekiel undertook to explain the religious basis for the historical experience of the Jews, that is, for their exile. In so doing, the prophet helped the exiles retain their religious heritage and offered them hope for a restored nationhood and Temple. He is also credited with being the primary influence behind the development of the Levitical Code, the legal and moral standard of Judaism.