Ezekiel

Ezekiel was written by the prophet Ezekiel, a priest who was among the Jews deported to Babylon in 597 BC. He prophesied from approximately 593-571 BC while living among the exiles by the Kebar River. Unlike some prophetic books, Ezekiel consistently uses first-person narration, confirming his direct authorship.

Ezekiel contains 48 chapters organized into four sections: judgment on Judah and Jerusalem (chapters 1-24), oracles against foreign nations (chapters 25-32), the restoration of Israel (chapters 33-39), and the vision of the new Temple and renewed land (chapters 40-48).

The main theme of Ezekiel is the glory of God — His departure from the Temple due to Israel's sin (chapters 8-11) and His promised return (chapter 43). The repeated phrase 'then they will know that I am the LORD' (occurring over 60 times) reveals God's purpose: that all people recognize His sovereign holiness.

Key events include: Ezekiel's throne vision and calling (chapters 1-3), dramatic sign-acts portraying Jerusalem's siege (chapters 4-5), the glory departing the Temple (chapters 10-11), the allegory of the faithless wife (chapter 16), the valley of dry bones coming to life (chapter 37), the prophecy of Gog and Magog (chapters 38-39), and the detailed vision of the new Temple (chapters 40-48).

Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones (chapter 37) is one of the most powerful images of resurrection and national restoration in the Bible. His new Temple vision (chapters 40-48) has influenced Jewish and Christian eschatology for millennia. The book's emphasis on individual responsibility (chapter 18) and the promise of a 'new heart and new spirit' (36:26) are foundational to New Testament theology.