Topical Encyclopedia Jehez'kel, more commonly known as Ezekiel, is a significant prophetic figure in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Old Testament. He is the central character and presumed author of the Book of Ezekiel, one of the major prophetic books. Ezekiel's ministry took place during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, specifically during the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BC.Historical Context Ezekiel was among the Jewish exiles taken to Babylon in 597 BC, during the second deportation under King Nebuchadnezzar. This period was marked by the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC, a pivotal event that deeply influenced Ezekiel's prophecies. His ministry spanned approximately 22 years, from around 593 to 571 BC. Prophetic Calling and Vision Ezekiel's calling as a prophet is vividly described in the opening chapters of the Book of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 1:1-3 , he recounts his vision by the Kebar River: "In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. On the fifth day of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin—the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the Kebar River, and there the hand of the LORD was upon him." Ezekiel's vision of the divine chariot, with its wheels and living creatures, is one of the most detailed and complex theophanies in the Bible, symbolizing God's glory and sovereignty. Major Themes and Messages 1. Judgment and Restoration: Ezekiel's prophecies are characterized by themes of judgment against Israel for their idolatry and unfaithfulness, as well as against surrounding nations. However, they also contain promises of restoration and renewal. Ezekiel 36:24-28 speaks of God's promise to gather Israel from the nations and give them a new heart and spirit: "For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all the countries, and I will bring you back into your own land. I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances." 2. The Glory of God: A recurring theme in Ezekiel is the glory of God, which departs from the Temple due to Israel's sin but is promised to return. This is vividly depicted in Ezekiel 10 and 43. 3. Individual Responsibility: Ezekiel emphasizes personal responsibility for sin, as seen in Ezekiel 18:20 : "The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him." 4. Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones: One of the most famous visions in Ezekiel is the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37), symbolizing the restoration of Israel. God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, which come to life, representing the revival of the nation. Role and Significance Ezekiel's role as a prophet was to be a watchman for the house of Israel, warning them of impending judgment and calling them to repentance. His messages were often conveyed through symbolic actions and vivid imagery, making his prophecies both memorable and impactful. Ezekiel's influence extends beyond his immediate historical context, as his visions and prophecies have been interpreted as foreshadowing the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. His emphasis on the new heart and spirit resonates with New Testament themes of spiritual rebirth and transformation through Christ. Concordance Jehez'kel (1 Occurrence)1 Chronicles 24:16 Thesaurus Jehez'kel (1 Occurrence)Jehez'kel. Jehezkel, Jehez'kel. Jehiah . Multi-Version Concordance Jehez'kel (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 24:16 the nineteenth to ... /j/jehez'kel.htm - 6k Jehezkel (1 Occurrence) Jehiah (1 Occurrence) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
    |