The Prophet Ezekiel

Ezekiel was both a priest and a prophet. His name means “God strengthens” or “God will strengthen.” He came from a priestly family (Ezekiel 1:3), being a descendant of Zadok and following the line of Aaron’s son Eleazar, thus belonging to the priestly nobility. His identity was unique, as he held both prophetic and priestly offices. He is the only prophet in the Bible, besides the Lord Jesus, whom God addresses as “Son of Man.” In the New Testament, Jesus is also called “Son of Man.”

In 597 BC, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took the elite of the Kingdom of Judah captive to Babylon, along with treasures from the Temple of the LORD and the royal palace. Among those taken were members of the royal family, leaders, mighty warriors, craftsmen, builders, and Ezekiel, the son of Buzi, a priest. Ezekiel was twenty-five years old when he was exiled. In the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s exile, when Ezekiel was thirty, the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he was moved by the Holy Spirit. Ezekiel the priest was called to become a prophet.

His messages can be clearly divided into three periods: the first period was during the three years from ages 30 to 33; the second period was from ages 36 to 37; and the final period was when he was 50 years old. Ezekiel only prophesied during these three periods, remaining silent at other times.

Ezekiel served as a prophet of the LORD for a total of 22 years. His wife died on the very day Nebuchadnezzar began his second siege of Jerusalem. The Bible does not reveal the date or details of Ezekiel’s own death.