(1) Book Information

1.1 Title and Definition
• Title: Ezekiel – named after the prophet Ezekiel (Yechezkel in Hebrew), meaning “God strengthens” or “God will make strong”
• Definition: A prophetic book containing vivid visions, symbolic actions, divine oracles, and apocalyptic imagery, addressing the fall of Jerusalem and the future hope of Israel’s restoration under God’s sovereign rule

1.2 Authorship and Context
• Author: Attributed to the prophet Ezekiel, a priest from Jerusalem exiled to Babylon in 597 BC, who received visions and messages from God
• When: Composed between 593 and 571 BC during the Babylonian exile, contemporaneous with Jeremiah in Judah and Daniel in Babylon
• Audience: Jewish exiles in Babylon, grappling with the loss of Jerusalem, the temple, and their national identity
• Purpose: To explain the divine reasons for Jerusalem’s destruction, to confront idolatry and rebellion, and to offer hope through visions of renewal, restoration, and God’s abiding presence

1.3 Literary and Thematic Features
• Literary and Rhetorical Features: Apocalyptic imagery, visionary narratives, symbolic acts, allegories, judgement oracles, restoration promises, temple visions, and divine speech formulae (“The word of the LORD came to me…”)
• Key Themes: God’s holiness, judgement on sin, personal responsibility, restoration, the glory of God, spiritual renewal, the new temple, and the presence of God among His people
• Themes of Redemption and Christology
○ The Good Shepherd prophecy (Ezek. 34) points to Christ as the true shepherd (John 10:11)
○ The vision of resurrection in the valley of dry bones (Ezek. 37) foreshadows spiritual rebirth and resurrection through Christ (Rom. 8:11)
○ The new covenant and heart of flesh (Ezek. 36:26–27) anticipates regeneration by the Spirit fulfilled in Christ’s ministry
• Symbolism and Imagery
○ The chariot-throne (Ezek. 1) represents God’s mobile glory and sovereignty
○ The scroll eaten by Ezekiel (Ezek. 2–3) symbolises internalising God’s message
○ The valley of dry bones (Ezek. 37) illustrates the miraculous restoration of spiritually dead people
○ The visionary temple (Ezek. 40–48) signifies divine order, holiness, and eschatological hope

1.4 Canonical and Interconnected Significance
• Structure: Divided into three major sections – oracles of judgement against Israel and Judah (Ezek. 1–24), oracles against foreign nations (Ezek. 25–32), and visions of hope and restoration (Ezek. 33–48)
• Canonical Significance: One of the Major Prophets; essential for understanding post-exilic theology, the holiness of God, and eschatological visions of restoration
• Interconnections
○ Related Books: Closely linked with Jeremiah (pre-exilic warnings) and Daniel (exilic faithfulness); complements Leviticus (holiness) and Revelation (apocalyptic imagery)
○ Connections to the Old Testament: Reflects the covenantal warnings in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, echoes themes of divine judgement from earlier prophets
○ Connections to the New Testament: Informs the imagery of Revelation (e.g. throne, cherubim, river of life); quoted in John 10, Romans 8, Hebrews 8
○ Prophetic and Messianic References: The promised Shepherd (Ezek. 34:23), the Davidic Prince (Ezek. 37:24), and the heart of flesh (Ezek. 36:26) point forward to the Messiah
○ Connections with Judaism: A core prophetic text; studied in rabbinic tradition for mystical and messianic interpretations; Ezek. 1 is foundational to Merkavah mysticism
○ Connections with Islam: Ezekiel is not mentioned by name in the Qur’an, but similar themes of divine judgement, exile, and resurrection appear
• Key Passages or Verses: Ezek. 1:28 – “This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD”
Ezek. 11:19 – “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them”
Ezek. 34:23 – “I will place over them one shepherd”
Ezek. 37:5 – “I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life”

(2) Characters

2.1 Main Figures and Their Roles
• Role of Authors: Ezekiel is both recipient and participant in God’s revelations, acting out prophetic signs and delivering divine oracles in a priestly and prophetic capacity
• Who are the Main Characters: Ezekiel, God (as sovereign and glorious), the elders and people of Judah in exile, the false prophets, the nations (e.g. Egypt, Tyre), the Prince, and symbolic representations like Gog and Magog

2.2 Roles in Theological Framework
• The Role of God
○ The Father – Transcendent, holy, just, and merciful; He purifies His people through judgement and restores them to fellowship
○ The Son – Anticipated in the Shepherd, Prince, and Redeemer who rules with justice and restores covenant relationship
○ The Holy Spirit – Promised as the one who renews hearts and brings life (Ezek. 36:27; 37:14); active in the resurrection of the dry bones
• The Role of Priests, Prophets, and Kings: Ezekiel bridges priestly and prophetic roles; the failed leaders are condemned, and a new righteous leadership is promised
• Role of the Church: Embodies the prophetic call to holiness, the ministry of the Spirit, and the mission to proclaim resurrection and renewal in Christ
• Role of Men and Women: Ezekiel addresses both men and women in their communal sins; women are also metaphorically used in parables of unfaithful cities (Ezek. 16, 23)

(3) Background

3.1 Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Context
• Geographical Context: Written in Babylon by the Kebar River (Ezek. 1:1), referring to events in both Jerusalem and the surrounding nations
• Historical Context: Set during the Babylonian exile following the deportation of 597 BC; Jerusalem’s destruction in 586 BC forms the central historical crisis
• Cultural Context: Babylonian culture influences the exilic setting; the Jewish people are displaced, disillusioned, and spiritually challenged

3.2 Broader Context and Practices

1. Broader Context of the Ancient Near East: Exile and temple destruction were traumatic events; Ezekiel reinterprets these through covenant theology and visionary hope
2. Influence of Israel’s Neighbours: Condemns the pride and idolatry of nations like Tyre, Egypt, and Edom; Babylonian culture forms the backdrop for Ezekiel’s visions
3. Cultural and Ethical Influences: Ezekiel critiques idolatry, injustice, and ritual impurity; offers an alternative vision of restored holiness and divine presence
4. Cultural Practices
   ○ Symbolic prophetic acts (e.g. lying on one side, cooking with dung),
   ○ Temple rituals and priestly regulations,
   ○ Mourning rites and exilic adaptation

(4) Theological and Historical Significance

1. The Book as a Theological Bridge: Connects pre-exilic judgement with post-exilic hope; transitions from temple destruction to a vision of renewed divine presence
2. Theological Significance: Emphasises God’s glory, holiness, judgement, covenant renewal, Spirit-led transformation, and eschatological hope
3. Spiritual Themes: Responsibility, repentance, purification, restoration, divine kingship, resurrection, spiritual rebirth, and holy worship
4. Key Lessons for Faith and Practice: God holds individuals and communities accountable. Holiness must shape worship and life. The Spirit gives life. Hope endures beyond exile
5. The Book in Christian Theology: Foundational for understanding regeneration, divine presence, ecclesiology, and eschatology; heavily referenced in Revelation
6. Historical Reception: Widely studied in Jewish mysticism, early Christian theology, and medieval eschatology; interpreted allegorically, typologically, and apocalyptically

(5) Interfaith and Cultural Perspectives

1. Literary Unity with the Torah (or Canon): Builds on Levitical holiness codes, prophetic calls to repentance, and covenant theology; enriches prophetic literature with priestly vision
2. The Book in Jewish Tradition: Treated with caution for its complexity; Ezek. 1 is foundational for mystical Merkavah traditions; temple visions form a model of sacred order
3. Connections with Islam: Themes of exile, divine sovereignty, and resurrection are shared; not part of the Qur’an but respected in Islamic historical narratives
4. Influence on Western Civilisation: Influenced art (e.g. visions of cherubim), theology, mysticism, and apocalyptic literature
5. Scientific Perspectives: Explored in fields such as neurology (Ezekiel’s visions), historical archaeology, and temple reconstruction theories
6. Global Perspective: Offers a universal message of transformation, accountability, and divine presence relevant to cultures facing displacement, injustice, and moral decay

(6) Ethical, Practical, and Philosophical Insights

1. Mystical and Esoteric Interpretations: Ezekiel’s throne vision and temple vision have inspired mystical interpretations of divine glory and cosmic order
2. Comparative Mythology: Shares apocalyptic imagery with ANE literature but redefines it under strict monotheism and moral theology
3. Ethical and Philosophical Reflections: Explores justice, responsibility, national sin, divine presence, and the relationship between inner transformation and outer worship
4. Ethical Teachings and Practical Applications
   ○ Turn from idols to the living God,
   ○ Embrace personal and communal responsibility,
   ○ Seek the renewal of heart and Spirit,
   ○ Live in holiness under God’s sovereignty
5. Relevance to Contemporary Issues and Ongoing Relevance: Speaks into spiritual exile, political corruption, ecological restoration (Ezek. 47), and the longing for authentic worship and renewal

(7) Interpretative and Theological Challenges

1. Interpretative Challenges: Complex symbolism, apocalyptic language, temple measurements, and overlapping historical-prophetic timelines
2. Theological Debates: The identity of the Prince, literal vs. spiritual interpretation of the temple, the role of Israel and the Church in eschatology
3. Key Questions Addressed: How can a holy God dwell among sinful people? What does true restoration require? How does the Spirit transform the heart? What is the future of worship and divine presence?