Ezekiel
A priest in exile in Babylon sees visions of God’s glory, judgment on Jerusalem, and hope for renewal.
What the sources say, and how sure we are
- The text says
Ezekiel was taken to Babylon with King Jehoiachin in 597 BC and received his call by the Chebar canal. The book gives exact dates for many visions, the last about 571 BC.Ezek 1:1–3; Ezek 29:17; Ezek 40:1
- Outside evidence
Babylonian ration tablets from the time of Nebuchadnezzar list oil for “Jehoiachin, king of Judah” and his sons, confirming the exile described in 2 Kings 24 and 25. The Chebar canal is known from Babylonian texts near Nippur.Babylonian ration tablets; 2 Kgs 25:27–30
- Debated
Most scholars accept the book as largely the work of Ezekiel, with some editing. The temple vision of chapters 40–48 is read as a literal future temple, as symbolic of God’s presence, or as fulfilled in Christ and the church, and these readings differ widely.Ezek 40–48
- Christian conclusion
Ezekiel’s promise of a new heart and spirit and of dry bones raised to life is read by Christians alongside Jesus’ teaching on new birth. Revelation 21–22 echoes the temple vision.Ezek 36:26–27; Ezek 37; John 3:5–8; Rev 21–22