Introduction to the Book of Ezekiel

The Book of Ezekiel was written by the prophet Ezekiel between 593 and 573BC while in exile in Babylonia before and after the final fall of Jerusalem in 587BC. He warns of the impending fall of Judah, then offers hope of a brighter future with the eventual return of the exiles and the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem.

 

Ezekiel

Title?   The Book of Ezekiel.

Written by whom?   The prophet Ezekiel.

When?   Written between 593 & 573BC.

Where?   In exile in Babylonia just before and after the fall of Jerusalem in 587BC.

To whom?   He preached to his fellow-exiles in Babylonia.

What was the message?   Ezekiel warned of the coming destruction of Jerusalem, and prophesied the eventual return of the exiles.

 

Euphrates River at Abu Kamal (Anas Salloum)

The Euphrates River near Al-Bukamal   (Anas Salloum)

 

Ezekiel’s vision of God on his throne

Ezek 1:1-3   Ezekiel is exiled to Babylon with King Jehoiachin of Judah in 597 BC (see 2 Kings 24:10-20). Five years later, in the summer of 593BC, Ezekiel has a vision beside the "River Chebar" (Akkadian, ‘the great river’) – the Shatt en-Nil waterway which ran from the River Euphrates north of Babylon, through Nippur and rejoined the river near Uruk.

Ezek 1:4-28   In his vision, Ezekiel sees the LORD sitting on the throne of heaven: "It looked like a sapphire gem. And on the throne was a shape like a human. Then I noticed that from the waist up the shape looked like glowing metal with fire inside. From the waist down it looked like fire, and a bright light was all around. The surrounding glow looked like the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day. It seemed to look like the glory of the LORD." (Ezekiel 1:26-28)

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