Open English Translation EZE Introduction

Introduction

Yehezkel (or more properly ‘Yehezk’el’ which means ‘God/El will strengthen’, but called ‘Ezekiel’ in older English translations because Greek has no ‘y’ or ‘h’) was a priest in Yerushalem (Jerusalem). He was one of the many people who were captured by the Babylonian army and marched off to Babylon before Yerushalem was defeated in 586 B.C. So he lived in Babylon and became a prophet five years after he’d been exiled. His message was directed to the people exiled to Babylon as well as those back in Yerushalem. Yehezkel’s account can be divided into six parts: 1. God’s calling Yehezkel as a prophet; 2. warnings to the people there about God’s coming punishment of them, and of the coming destruction of Yerushalem; 3. God’s messages about the punishment of various nations who’d attacked Israel; 4. comforting Yisrael when enemies defeated Yerushalem, and a promise of a future, better life; 5. the defeat of all of Yisrael’s enemies; 6. Yehezkel’s description of a restored temple and of a nation that would return to living there.

Yehezkel demonstrated a lot of faith, and his messages came as visions—many of which he had to act out. Yehezkel explained the importance of a new heart and spirit, and how it’s necessary for each person to individually repent from their sins. He reveals Yisrael’s hope of a new life. Then as prophet and priest, he greatly looks forward to a new temple with all the rooms that are necessary for the sacred services.

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