Ezekiel
Israelite / Jew Jew; priest among the exiles in Babylon · Exile & Return · Old Testament
- Name means
- God strengthens
- Role
- Priest and prophet of the exile
- When
- c. 593-571 BC
What they did
Saw visions of the glory of God by the river Chebar. He acted out signs of judgment, and prophesied the valley of dry bones coming to life.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
He promised a new heart and a new spirit, and that the nations would know the LORD when He restored His people.
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 (KJV)
Bible references
The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him. Ezekiel 1:3 (KJV)
Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 24:24 (KJV)
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 (KJV)
Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: Ezekiel 37:4-5 (KJV)
Family
- Father
- Buzi
- Spouse(s)
- Unnamed wife, who died during his ministry
His wife's death was a sign to Israel (Ezekiel 24:16-18).