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- Old Testament
Book of Ezekiel
Pronunciation:
Authorship and Origin:
Dates referenced in the book itself, state that the prophecies came to Ezekiel between 593 B.C. and
571 B.C. (Ezek. 1:1-2, 29:17). Many other dates are given by the author throughout the book. Ezekiel speaks in the first person in this book and he identifies himself a member of one of
Judah's priestly families who was called by God to be a prophet. Nothing is known of Ezekiel except what is described in this book. Apparently he lived as an exile in Babylon.
Overview and Significant sections
During the same time that Jeremiah was a prophet to the people in Judea, Ezekiel was a prophet to the already exiled Israelites in Babylon. Ezekiel's message was the same as Jeremiahs; he foretold the ruin of the homeland, the destruction of Solomon's temple, judgement, and eventual renewal as God would bring a remnant back to the promised land. During this time, Nebuchadnezzar was rising to great power as Babylon overthrew the Assyrian empire and later came to destroy Jerusalem and Judea.
Ezekiel was taken to Babylon. The study of this book yields some new dimensions of theology, which are still applicable today. Some of these are: God is the same across time (transcendent), judgement is certain for sin, individuals are responsible for their actions, and finally restoration is available for true believers in the Messiah.
Significant sections:
- Prophecy against Judah
1:1-24:27
- Prophecy against foreign nations.
25:1-32:32
- Restoration is coming someday.
33:1-39:29
- Someday, the temple will be rebuilt, and a great river will flow from it.
40:1-48:35
For more detailed study:
Read Chapter 1. (the entire book is available starting here.)
The Concise Matthew Henry Commentary on this book.
bible.org introduction of this book.
the World Wide Study Bible has Dictionary, Commentary, Scripture and sermons available
on this book.
