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Introduction to Ezekiel
Part 1: General Introduction
Outline of Ezekiel
- The approaching destruction of Jerusalem (Chapters 1–27)
- Call of Ezekiel (1:1–3:21)
- Judgment against what people have done (3:22–11:25)
- Prediction of Jerusalem's fall and captivity of its people (12:1–27:7)
- The prophecies, oracles, and laments toward neighboring nations (25:1–32:32)
- Oracles of hope (33:1–48:35)
- New covenant (33:1–22)
- New life (34:1–31)
- Edom the enemy, destroyed (35:1–15)
- Israel restored (36:1–37:28)
- Gog and Magog (38:1–39:29)
- The Temple idealized and the city restored (40:1–48:35)
What is Ezekiel about?
This book contains prophecies that were given between 592 BC and 573 BC. Ezekiel tells the Jewish people in exile in Babylonia that God has punished them for their sin and unfaithfulness to him, but that he will restore Judah. God is using Babylon to punish them, but the enemy nations will be crushed in their turn. There is prophecy about the restoration and renewal of worship, the sacrificial system, and the new temple. The Book of Ezekiel ends with the reallocation of the Israel's land among all the tribes of Israel. Ezekiel concludes with the overarching principle that "Yahweh is there."
How should the title of this book be translated?
"Ezekiel" may also be called the "The Messages from God brought by Ezekiel." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names)
Who wrote the Book of Ezekiel?
The prophecies in the Book of Ezekiel came through Ezekiel, a prophet who lived near Babylon in the time of the exile.
Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
What was Ezekiel's temple?
A large portion of the Book of Ezekiel gives instructions regarding the building of a new temple. However, this temple is not the same as the temple the people would build after going back to Jerusalem. Because Ezekiel's temple has never been built, some people believe that this temple is to be built in the future. Others believe that Ezekiel's temple is symbolic of the Church.
Do the sacrifices in Ezekiel follow the law of Moses?
If one was to compare some of the required sacrifices in Numbers 28 with the sacrifices in Ezekiel 46, there are some differences. These differences probably exist because Ezekiel prophesies about a new temple with a new sacrificial system.
Part 3: Important Translation Issues
===How should one represent Ezekiel's visions in translation?===
The Book of Ezekiel has many complicated visions, with dazzling and stunning images. Some of his visions became the foundation for many other books of Scripture that also contain descriptions of events of the end of the world. Some of these visions are about God rescuing Israel in the distant future. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-apocalypticwriting)
It is unclear whether Ezekiel actually traveled to particular places named in the visions, or whether he had only a mental idea of what he was describing. For this reason, Ezekiel's viewpoint is sometimes difficult to understand, even though the visions' meanings may be clear.
Translators should avoid the temptation to explain these visions; instead, the visions should be presented just as they are in the source text.
What does "and you will know that I am the Lord" mean?
This is a common phrase in the Book of Ezekiel. It is meant to assure the reader that these messages truly come from God, and that he will do what he has promised. The translator may also use the phrase "and you will understand that I am God and what I say will happen."