Ezekiel
The Priest-Prophet of the ExilePriest and prophet who ministered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon through dramatic visions and symbolic actions
Ezekiel was both a priest and a prophet, uniquely qualified to speak about the temple, priesthood, and God's glory. Deported to Babylon in 597 BC with King Jehoiachin, he ministered to the exiles for over 22 years through dramatic visions and symbolic actions. His vision of God's throne-chariot (chapter 1) and the valley of dry bones (chapter 37) are among Scripture's most vivid imagery. Ezekiel witnessed God's glory departing from the Jerusalem temple (chapters 10-11) but also prophesied its return to a future temple (chapter 43). His detailed description of the millennial temple (chapters 40-48) remains a subject of much prophetic study.
Original Name
יְחֶזְקֵאל (Yechezkel)
Meaning
God strengthens, God will strengthen
Etymology
The name Ezekiel combines 'chazaq' (to be strong, strengthen) with 'El' (God). This name was prophetic of his ministry - God would strengthen him to deliver difficult messages to a rebellious people. The name also reflects the hope that God would strengthen and restore Israel from exile.
Linguistic Insights
Ezekiel is called 'Son of Man' (Ben Adam - בֶּן אָדָם) over 90 times, more than any other biblical figure. This title, emphasizing his humanity before God's glory, becomes significant as Jesus's favorite self-designation. Ezekiel's vision vocabulary is extraordinary - his description of the 'living creatures' (Chayot - חַיּוֹת) and 'wheels' (Ophanim - אוֹפַנִּים) became foundational for Jewish mystical literature. The repeated phrase 'they will know that I am the LORD' appears over 70 times, emphasizing God's self-revelation through judgment and restoration. His vision of God's glory (Kavod - כָּבוֹד) departing and returning structures the entire book.
Translation Notes
- •Greek Septuagint renders as 'Iezekiel' (Ἰεζεκιήλ)
- •Latin Vulgate uses 'Ezechiel'
- •The 'Merkabah' (chariot) vision spawned an entire genre of Jewish mystical literature
- •Ezekiel's temple vision (chapters 40-48) contains the most detailed architectural description in Scripture
- •The 'wheels within wheels' description has inspired countless artistic interpretations
Related Terms
Deported to Babylon with King Jehoiachin
2 Kings 24:14-16Called as prophet by the Chebar River
Ezekiel 1:1-3Vision of God's throne-chariot with four living creatures
Ezekiel 1:4-28Commissioned and ate the scroll
Ezekiel 2:1-3:15Appointed as watchman for Israel
Ezekiel 3:16-21, 33:1-9Laid on his side 430 days as prophetic sign
Ezekiel 4:1-8Shaved his head as sign of Jerusalem's judgment
Ezekiel 5:1-17Transported in vision to Jerusalem's temple
Ezekiel 8:1-18Witnessed God's glory departing the temple
Ezekiel 10:1-22, 11:22-25Wife died; forbidden to mourn as sign
Ezekiel 24:15-27Prophesied against surrounding nations
Ezekiel 25-32Vision of the valley of dry bones
Ezekiel 37:1-14Prophecy of Gog and Magog invasion
Ezekiel 38-39Vision of the future millennial temple
Ezekiel 40-43Witnessed God's glory returning to the temple
Ezekiel 43:1-12Described the river of life from the temple
Ezekiel 47:1-12Ezekiel 1:28
"Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD."
Ezekiel 18:4
"For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die."
Ezekiel 36:26
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Ezekiel 37:3
"He asked me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' I said, 'Sovereign LORD, you alone know.'"
Ezekiel 37:14
"I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it."
Ezekiel 48:35
"The name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE."
Born
c. 622 BC
Died
c. 570 BC
Lifespan
Approximately 52 years
Father
Buzi (a priest)
Mother
Unknown
Spouse
Wife (unnamed) - died as a sign to Israel (Ezekiel 24:15-18)
Children