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Ezekiel

Author: Ezekiel

Vivid visions, symbolic acts, and prophecies of judgment and restoration during the Babylonian exile.

Old Testament48 chapters

Summary of the Book of Ezekiel

Written: c. 593–571 BC

Ezekiel was a priest exiled to Babylon in 597 BC with King Jehoiachin, and by the Kebar canal in 593 he saw the vision that opens the book: a storm, four living creatures, wheels within wheels, and above them the likeness of the glory of Yahweh on a moving throne. For an exile the point was staggering — God's glory is not locked inside Jerusalem's temple. Commissioned as a watchman, Ezekiel eats the scroll he is given and begins some of the strangest sign-acts in Scripture: modeling the siege on a brick, lying bound on his side for months, shaving his head with a sword.

Chapters 4–24 relentlessly announce Jerusalem's fall. In a temple vision (8–11) Ezekiel watches the glory depart step by step, and when his wife dies he is forbidden to mourn — a sign of the coming loss of the sanctuary. Oracles against seven nations follow (25–32), including extended laments over Tyre and Egypt. Once a fugitive arrives with the news that the city has fallen (33), the book turns wholly toward hope: Yahweh himself will shepherd his scattered flock (34), give his people a new heart and put his Spirit within them (36), and breathe life into a valley of dry bones (37).

The final vision (40–48) is a measured temple filled with returning glory and a river flowing out to heal the land, closing with the city's new name: Yahweh is there. The refrain — then you will know that I am Yahweh — occurs some seventy times and states the book's purpose, and its promises of Spirit, shepherd, and presence flow directly into the New Testament's hope.

Ezekiel was written to show the exiles why Jerusalem fell and to promise that the God whose glory left the temple would return to dwell among a renewed, Spirit-filled people.

Outline of Ezekiel

1–3The Throne Vision and the Prophet's Call 4–24Signs and Oracles of Jerusalem's Fall 25–32Oracles Against the Nations 33–39New Heart, New Spirit, Dry Bones Raised 40–48The Visionary Temple and the Returning Glory

Key Verses in Ezekiel

Ezekiel 34:15

“I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep”

Ezekiel 36:26

“I will also give you a new heart”

Ezekiel 37:5

“I will cause breath to enter into you, and you will live”

Ezekiel 48:35

“Yahweh is there”

Major Themes in Ezekiel

The Glory and Presence of GodA New Heart and God's Spirit Personal Responsibility and Repentance Restoration Hope for the Exiles

Chapters

1God's Glory, Divine Presence: “Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness…”2Prophetic calling, Obedience: “He said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the children of…”3Prophetic Responsibility, Divine Commission: ““Son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of…”4Prophetic symbolism, Judgment and punishment: ““Moreover lie on your left side, and lay the iniquity of the…”5Judgment, Symbolism: “A third part of you will die with the pestilence, and they…”6Judgment, Idolatry: ““‘“Yet I will leave a remnant, in that you will have some…”7Divine judgment, Repentance: ““You, son of man, thus says the Lord Yahweh to the land of…”8idolatry, divine revelation: “He said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they do? Even…”9Judgment, Holiness: “Yahweh said to him, “Go through the middle of the city,…”10Judgment, Holiness of God: “Yahweh’s glory went out from over the threshold of the…”11Judgment against leaders, Divine departure and restoration: “I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit…”12Divine Judgment, Prophetic Symbolism: “For I am Yahweh. I will speak, and the word that I speak…”13False Prophecy, Divine Judgment: ““‘Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Because you have…”14Idolatry, Judgment: ““Therefore tell the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord…”15Judgment, Unfaithfulness: “Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: “As the vine tree among…”16Covenant Faithfulness, Idolatry: “Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with you in the…”17Judgment, Trust in God: ““Thus says the Lord Yahweh: ‘I will also take some of the…”18personal responsibility, repentance and forgiveness: “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so…”19Divine judgment, Leadership failure: “and say, ‘What was your mother? A lioness. She couched among…”20Rebellion and Judgment, God's Faithfulness: ““I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring…”21Divine Judgment, Righteousness vs. Wickedness: “Seeing then that I will cut off from you the righteous and…”22Divine Judgment, Moral Corruption: ““I sought for a man among them who would build up the wall…”23spiritual infidelity, judgment: ““Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: ‘Because you have…”24Judgment, Purification: ““‘Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Woe to the bloody…”25Divine judgement, Justice and retribution: ““‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Because Edom has dealt against…”26Divine Judgment, Pride and Humility: “They will make a plunder of your riches, and make a prey of…”27Pride and downfall, The transient nature of wealth: “Your rowers have brought you into great waters. The east…”28Pride and Humility, Divine Judgment: ““Son of man, tell the prince of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord…”29Divine Judgment, Pride and Humility: “Speak and say, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Behold, I am…”30Divine Judgment, Sovereignty of God: “For the day is near, even Yahweh’s day is near. It will be a…”31divine sovereignty, pride and downfall: “Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful…”32Divine Judgment, Death and Descent into Sheol: “Yes, I will make many peoples amazed at you, and their kings…”33Responsibility, Repentance: “Tell them, ‘“As I live,” says the Lord Yahweh, “I have no…”34Divine Judgment, Providential Care: “therefore will I save my flock, and they will no more be a…”35divine justice, judgment: “As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel…”36Restoration, Renewal: “I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new…”37Restoration, Revival: “I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live. Then I will…”38Divine Sovereignty, Judgment: “and say, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Behold, I am against…”39Divine Judgment, God's Sovereignty: ““I will set my glory among the nations. Then all the nations…”40restoration, holiness: “In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel,…”41Holiness of God, Divine Instruction: “He measured its length, twenty cubits, and the width, twenty…”42Holiness, Order: “Then he said to me, “The north rooms and the south rooms,…”43God's Presence, Holiness: “Yahweh’s glory came into the house by the way of the gate…”44Holiness, Obedience: ““‘“But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who…”45Holiness, Justice: ““You shall have just balances, a just ephah, and a just…”46Worship, Sabbath: ““‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “The gate of the inner court…”47Renewal and Restoration, Abundance and Provision: “It will happen, that every living creature which swarms, in…”48restoration, divine order: ““It shall be eighteen thousand reeds around: and the name of…”