Historical Background of the Book of Ezekiel

The Book of Ezekiel is the third book of the “Latter Prophets” section in the Hebrew Bible. Tradition holds that its author is the prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel was a prophet who frequently experienced visions. Although he lived among the Jewish exiles in Babylon, he was able to connect with the Jews in Palestine through God’s Spirit, receiving divine visions and prophesying to the people of Jerusalem. The Book of Ezekiel contains many visions that bear similarities to the Book of Revelation, written by the Apostle John.

In 597 BC, after King Jehoiachin of Judah, along with Jerusalem, surrendered to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar deported Judah’s elite, along with the treasures from the Temple of the LORD and the royal palace, to Babylon. Among those taken captive were members of the royal family, leaders, mighty warriors, craftsmen, builders, and Ezekiel, the son of Buzi, a priest. This group of exiled Israelites completed their long journey with heavy hearts. They settled by the Chebar canal, within the territory of a dominant empire. They were surrounded by people who practiced strange customs and pagan worship. Nebuchadnezzar allowed the Israelites to build houses, acquire servants, and engage in trade. If they worked hard, they could prosper. They would face many new trials in the land of their exile.

The Book of Ezekiel records that during these perilous years leading up to Jerusalem’s destruction, the LORD did not forget to raise up prophets for Himself and for Israel. At that time, Jeremiah remained in Jerusalem, Daniel resided in the Babylonian court, and Ezekiel served as a prophet among the exiled Jews in Babylon. Throughout the book, Ezekiel is referred to as “Son of Man” over 90 times. In the New Testament, Jesus is also referred to as “Son of Man” almost 80 times. “Then they will know that I am the LORD” is a key phrase in this book, appearing nearly seventy times. The prophet’s mission was to explain that one of the reasons for the chosen people’s exile and suffering was God’s discipline, intended to make them recognize that the LORD is the one true God.

Ezekiel emphasizes the “glory of God”: Israel was rejected by the LORD because they sinned and profaned His holy name, causing God’s glory to depart from the Temple (cf. Ezekiel 10:18; 11:23). In the future, when Israel is restored, God will personally seek His lost sheep and heal Israel’s spiritual apostasy. At that time, God’s glory will return to the Temple, and the book concludes with God re-establishing His sanctuary in the midst of Israel (chapters 40-48).

Ezekiel’s message can be divided into two parts. The first part condemns the sins of the Israelites and declares God’s punishment for sin. The second part is mainly delivered after the fall of Judah (cf. Ezekiel 33:21): to comfort the despairing Israelite exiles, the prophet begins to proclaim God’s comfort and promises, indicating that God will not abandon His people forever, and that the Israelites will ultimately be restored and return to their homeland to rebuild.