Ezekiel

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Hebrew Yeḥezqēl (“God strengthens”), reflecting divine empowerment for prophetic ministry
• Period/Era: Exilic
• Main References: Ezekiel 1–48 (especially 1–3; 8–11; 33–37; 40–48)
• Key Connections: Son of Buzi; a priest among the Judean exiles by the Chebar canal in Babylon (Ezek. 1:1–3)

Who was Ezekiel?

Ezekiel was a Judean priest and prophet taken into exile to Babylon with the deportees of 597 BC.
He received visions and delivered prophetic messages among the exiled community by the Chebar canal.
His ministry addressed Jerusalem’s covenant unfaithfulness and the consequences of exile.
He also announced future restoration for Israel under God’s renewed presence.

Key Events & Achievements

• Call and commissioning: Received a vision of God’s glory and was appointed as a watchman to speak God’s words to Israel (Ezek. 1–3; 3:16–21).
• Oracles concerning Jerusalem: Proclaimed judgment and described the departure of the LORD’s glory from the temple (Ezek. 8–11).
• Hope for restoration: Announced Israel’s renewal and return, including the vision of dry bones and a restored sanctuary order (Ezek. 37; 40–48).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Ezekiel’s ministry portrays prophetic responsibility to faithfully communicate God’s message in exile, holding together covenant accountability and promised restoration.

Key Verse

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." — Ezekiel 36:26, ESV