Reference: Ezekiel, Book of
Easton
consists mainly of three groups of prophecies. After an account of his call to the prophetical office (Eze 1:1-3:21), Ezekiel (1) utters words of denunciation against the Jews (Eze 3:22-24), warning them of the certain destruction of Jerusalem, in opposition to the words of the false prophets (Eze 4:1-3). The symbolical acts, by which the extremities to which Jerusalem would be reduced are described in ch. 4,5, show his intimate acquaintance with the Levitical legislation. (See Ex 22:30; De 14:21; Le 5:2; 7:18,24; 17:15; 19:7; 22:8, etc.)
(2.) Prophecies against various surrounding nations: against the Ammonites (Eze 25:1-7), the Moabites (Eze 25:8-11), the Edomites (Eze 25:12-14), the Philistines (Eze 25:15-17), Tyre and Sidon (Eze 25:17), and against Egypt (Eze 25:17).
(3.) Prophecies delivered after the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar: the triumphs of Israel and of the kingdom of God on earth (EZE 33-39); Messianic times, and the establishment and prosperity of the kingdom of God (40;48).
The closing visions of this book are referred to in the book of Revelation (Eze 38 = Re 20:8; Eze 47:1-8 = Re 22:1-2). Other references to this book are also found in the New Testament. (Comp. Ro 2:24 with Eze 36:2; Ro 10:5, Ga 3:12 with Eze 20:11; 2Pe 3:4 with Eze 12:22.)
It may be noted that Daniel, fourteen years after his deportation from Jerusalem, is mentioned by Ezekiel (Da 12:13) along with Noah and Job as distinguished for his righteousness, and some five years later he is spoken of as pre-eminent for his wisdom (Da 12:13).
Ezekiel's prophecies are characterized by symbolical and allegorical representations, "unfolding a rich series of majestic visions and of colossal symbols." There are a great many also of "symbolcal actions embodying vivid conceptions on the part of the prophet" (Eze 4:1-4; 5:1-4; 12:3-6; 24:3-5; 37:16, etc.) "The mode of representation, in which symbols and allegories occupy a prominent place, gives a dark, mysterious character to the prophecies of Ezekiel. They are obscure and enigmatical. A cloudy mystery overhangs them which it is almost impossible to penetrate. Jerome calls the book 'a labyrith of the mysteries of God.' It was because of this obscurity that the Jews forbade any one to read it till he had attained the age of thirty."
Ezekiel is singular in the frequency with which he refers to the Pentateuch (e.g., Eze 27; 28:13; 31:8; 36:11,34; 47:13, etc.). He shows also an acquaintance with the writings of Hosea (Eze 37:22), Isaiah (Eze 8:12; 29:6), and especially with those of Jeremiah, his older contemporary (Jer 24:7,9; 48:37).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
likewise shalt thou do of thine oxen and of thy sheep. Seven days it shall be with the dam, and the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
Either when a man toucheth any unclean thing: whether it be the carrion of an unclean beast or of unclean cattle or unclean worm and is not ware of it, he is also unclean and hath offended.
For if any of the flesh of the peace offerings be eaten the third day then shall he that offered it obtain no favour, neither shall it be reckoned unto him: but shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear the sin thereof.
neverthelater, the fat of the beast that dieth alone and the fat of that which is torn with wild beasts, may be occupied in all manner uses: but ye shall in no wise eat of it.
And whatsoever soul it be that eateth that which died alone or that which was torn with wild beasts: whether it be one of yourselves or a stranger, he shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and shall be unclean unto the even, and then is he clean.
If it be eaten the third day, it shall be unclean and not accepted.
Of a beast that dieth alone or is rent with wild beasts, he shall not eat, to defile himself therewith: I am the LORD.
Ye shall eat of nothing that dieth alone: But thou mayest give it unto the stranger that is in thy city that he eat it, or mayest sell it unto an Alien. For thou art a holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.
And I will give them a heart, to know how that I am the LORD. They shall be my people, and I will be their God, for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.
And will make them to be a reproof, a common byword, a laughingstock and shame, in all the places where I shall scatter them.
All heads shall be shaven, and all beards clipped off: all hands bound, and all loins girded about with sack cloth.
It chanced, in the thirtieth year, the fifth day of the fourth Month, that I was among the prisoners by the river of Chebar: where the heavens opened, and I saw a vision of God. Now the fifth day of the Month made out the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity. read more. At the same time came the word of the LORD unto Ezekiel the son of Buzi the priest, in the land of the Chaldeans by the water of Chebar, where the hand of the LORD came upon him.
And there came the hand of the LORD upon me, and he said unto me, "Stand up and go into the field, that I may there talk with thee." So when I had risen up, and gone forth into the field: Behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, like as I saw it afore, by the waters of Chebar. Then fell I down upon my face, read more. and the spirit came in to me, which set me up upon my feet, and said thus unto me, "Go thy way, and shut thyself in thine house.
Thou son of man, take a tile stone, and lay it before thee, and describe upon it the city of Jerusalem;
Thou son of man, take a tile stone, and lay it before thee, and describe upon it the city of Jerusalem; how it is besieged, how bulwarks and strong ditches are graven on every side of it. Describe also the tents, and a host of men round about it.
how it is besieged, how bulwarks and strong ditches are graven on every side of it. Describe also the tents, and a host of men round about it. Moreover, take an iron pan, and set it betwixt thee and the city instead of an iron wall. Then set thy face toward it, besiege it, and lay ordinance against it, to win it. This shall be a token unto the house of Israel.
Moreover, take an iron pan, and set it betwixt thee and the city instead of an iron wall. Then set thy face toward it, besiege it, and lay ordinance against it, to win it. This shall be a token unto the house of Israel. But thou shalt sleep upon thy left side, and lay the sin of the house of Israel upon thee. Certain days appointed, thou shalt sleep upon that side, and bear their sins.
O Thou son of man, take thee then a sharp knife, namely a razor. Take that, and shave the hair of thy head and beard: Then take the scales and weight, and divide the hair asunder. And burn the third part thereof in the fire in the midst of the city, and cut the other third part in pieces with a knife. As for the third part that remaineth, cast it in the wind, and then show the bare knife. read more. Yet afterward take a little of the same, and bind it in thy coat lap. Then take a courtesy of it, and cast it in the midst of the fire: and burn it in the fire. Out of the same fire shall there go a flame upon the whole house of Israel."
Then said he unto me, "Thou son of man, hast thou seen what the Senators of the house of Israel do secretly, everyone in his chamber? For they say, 'Tush, the LORD seeth us not, the LORD regardeth not the world.'"
Therefore, O thou son of man, make thy gear ready to flit, and go forth by fair daylight, that they may see. Yea, even in their sight shalt thou go from thy place to another place: if peradventure they will consider that they be an unobedient household. Thy gear that thou hast made ready to flit withal, shalt thou bear out by fair daylight, that they may see: and thou thyself shalt go forth also at even in their sight, as a man doth when he goeth forth to flight. read more. Dig through the wall, that they may see: and bear through it the same thing that thou tookest up in their sight. As for thyself, thou shalt go forth in the dark. Hide thy face that thou see not the earth, for I have made thee a show-token unto the house of Israel."
"Thou son of man, what manner of byword is that, which ye use in the land of Israel? Saying, 'Tush, seeing that the days are so slack in coming, all the visions are of none effect.'
I gave them my commandments, and showed them my laws: which whoso keepeth shall live in them.
Show that obstinate household a parable, and speak unto them, 'Thus sayeth the LORD God: Get thee a pot, set it on, and pour water into it: put all the pieces together in it, all the good pieces: the loin and the shoulder, and fill it with the best bones. read more. Take one of the best sheep, and a heap of bones withal: let it boil well, and let the bones seethe well therein.
The word of the LORD came unto me, saying, "Thou son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, prophesy upon them, read more. and say unto the Ammonites, 'Hear the word of the LORD God. Thus sayeth the LORD God: Forsomuch as thou speakest over my Sanctuary, 'Aha,' I trow it be now suspended; and over the land of Israel, I trow it be now desolate; yea, and over the house of Judah, I trow they be now led away prisoners. Behold, I will deliver thee to the people of the east, that they may have thee in possession: these shall set their castles and houses in thee. They shall eat thy fruit, and drink up thy milk. As for Rabbah, I will make of it a stall for camels, and of Ammon a sheepfold: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. For thus sayeth the LORD God: Insomuch as thou hast clapped with thine hands, and stamped with thy feet; yea, rejoiced in thine heart over the land of Israel with despite; behold, I will stretch out mine hand over thee also, and deliver thee to be spoiled of the Heathen, and root thee out from among the people, and cause thee to be destroyed out of all lands. Yea, I will make thee be laid waste, that thou mayest know that I am the LORD. "'Thus sayeth the LORD God: Forsomuch as Moab and Seir do say, 'As for the house of Judah, it is but like as all other Gentiles be,' Therefore, behold, I will make the cities of Moab weaponless, and take away their strength, their cities, and chief coasts of their land which are the pleasures of the country: As namely. Bethjeshimoth, Baalmeon, and Kiriathaim. These will I open unto them of the east, that they may fall upon the Ammonites: and will give it them in possession: so that the Ammonites shall no more be had in remembrance among the Heathen. Even thus will I punish Moab also, that they may know how that I am the LORD. Moreover, thus sayeth the LORD God: Because that Edom hath avenged and eased himself upon the house of Judah, therefore thus sayeth the LORD: I will reach out mine hand upon Edom, and take away man and beast out of it. From Teman unto Dedan will I make it desolate; they shall be slain with the sword. Through my people of Israel will I avenge me again upon Edom: they shall handle him, according to my wrath and indignation, so that they shall know my vengeance, sayeth the LORD God. Thus sayeth the LORD God: Forsomuch as the Philistines have done this - namely taken vengeance with despiteful stomachs, and of an old evil will set themselves to destroy - Therefore thus sayeth the LORD God: Behold, I will stretch out mine hand over the Philistines, and destroy the destroyer, and cause all the remnant of the sea coast to perish. A great vengeance will I take upon them, and punish them cruelly: that they may know how that I am the LORD, which have avenged me of them.'"
A great vengeance will I take upon them, and punish them cruelly: that they may know how that I am the LORD, which have avenged me of them.'"
A great vengeance will I take upon them, and punish them cruelly: that they may know how that I am the LORD, which have avenged me of them.'"
that all they which dwell in Egypt, may know, that I am the LORD: because thou hast been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.
Thus sayeth the LORD God: Because your enemy hath said upon you, 'Aha, the high everlasting places are now become ours':
"Thou son of man, take a stick and write upon it, 'Unto Judah; and to the children of Israel, his companions.' Then take another stick, and write upon it, 'Unto Joseph, the stock of Ephraim; and to all the household of Israel, his companions.'
Yea, I will make one people of them in the land, upon the mountains of Israel, and they all shall have but one king. They shall no more be two peoples from henceforth, neither be divided into two kingdoms:
After this he brought me again before the door of the house: and behold, there gushed out waters from under the posts of the house eastward - for the house stood toward the east - that ran down upon the right side of the house, which lieth to the altar southward. Then carried he me out to the north door, and brought me forth there, roundabout by the utmost door that turneth eastward. Behold, there came forth the water upon the right side. read more. Now when the man that had the measuring rod in his hand went unto the east door, he measured a thousand cubits, and then he brought me through the water, even to the ankles: so he measured yet a thousand, and brought me through the water again unto the knees: yet measured he a thousand, and brought me through the waters unto the loins. After this he measured a thousand again, then was it such a river, that I might not wade through it: The water was so deep, that it was needful to have swimmed, for it might not be waded over. And he said unto me, "Hast thou seen this, O thou son of man?" And with that, he brought me to the river bank again. Now when I came there, there stood many trees upon either side of the riverbank. Then said he unto me, "This water that floweth out toward the East, and runneth down into the plain field, cometh into the sea: and from the sea it runneth out, and maketh the waters whole.
Go thou thy way now, till it be ended: take thy rest, and bide in thy lot, till the days have an end."
Go thou thy way now, till it be ended: take thy rest, and bide in thy lot, till the days have an end."
For the name of God is evil spoken-of among the gentiles, through you, as it is written.
Moses describeth the righteousness which cometh of the law, how that the man which doth the things of the law shall live therein.
The law is not of faith: but the man that fulfilleth the things contained in the law, shall live in them.
and shall go out to deceive the people which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle; whose number is as the sand of the sea.
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the seat of God and of the lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river was there wood of life; which bare twelve manner of fruits, and gave fruit every month: and the leaves of the wood served to heal the people withal.