An Overview of Ezekiel

Breakdown to the Book of Ezekiel

Prophecies – pre 587 fall of Jerusalem – chapters 1 – 24

Vision and call 1:1 – 3:21

• Introduction 1:1-3
• Vision 1:4-28
• Call of God 2:1-3:5

Detailed instructions 3:4 – 21

Speak to Israel 3:4 – 11

• Speak to Israel 3:4-11
• Personal Reaction 3:12-15
• Be a Watchman 3:16-21

Prophecies and visions of judgement 3:22 – 7:27

• Consequences to the Prophet 3:22-27
• Symbolic Siege of Jerusalem – Chapter Four
• Extent of Desolation – Chapter Five
• Idolatry Denounced – Chapter Six
• Punishment for Sin – Chapter Seven

Visions chapters 8 – 11

Abominations & Vison’s in Jerusalem seen – chapter 8

• Baal Worship 8:1-6
• Hidden Idols 8:7-13
• Fertility Worship 8:14-15
• Sun Worship 8:16-18
• Vision of Complete Destruction – Chapter Nine
• Vison of God Reappears – Chapter Ten

Denunciation and hope – chapter 11

• Leaders Rebuked 11:1-12
• Pelatiah Dies 11:13
• Promise of Renewal 11:14-21
• God’s Spirit is Withdrawn 11:22-25

Oracles concerning Jerusalem – chapters 12 – 19

Captivity predicted – chapter 12

• Princes Escape Enacted 12:1-7
• Captivity and Distress 12:8-20
• Popular Proverbs 12:21-28

False prophets – chapter 13

• Elders Denounced 14:1-11
• No Hope in Present Situation 14:12-20
• Future Remnant 14:21-23

Useless vine – chapter 15

Story of unfaithful lover – chapter 16

Parable of the two eagles – chapter 17

Discourse on individual responsibility – chapter 18

Parable of the lioness and cubs – chapter 19

Oracles of judgement against – chapters 20 – 24

Review of checkered history 20:1 – 44

• Review of Checkered History 20:1-44

Judgement 20:45 – 21:32

• Against Judah and Jerusalem 20:45-21:7
• Song of the Consuming Sword 21:8-17
• Prediction of Chaldean Attack 21:18-27
• Ammon to be Conquered 21:28-32

Catalogue of Jerusalem’s Sins – Chapter 22

Story of Two Sisters – Chapter 23

Last Day’s – Chapter 24

• The City a Cauldron 24:1-4
• Death of the Prophets Wife 24:15-24

Concluding section 24:25 – 27

Foreign nations prophecies – chapters 25 – 32

Immediate Neighbours of Israel – Chapter 25

• Ammon 25:1-7
• Moab 25:8-11
• Edomite 25:12-14
• Philistine 25:15-17

Tyre 26:1 – 28:24

• Destruction Foretold 26:1-4
• Effect on Other Nations 26:15-18
• No Memory of a Great City 26:19-21
• Lament – Chapter 27

Chapters 28 to 32

Overthrow of proud king 28:1 – 10

• Overthrow of a Proud King 28:1-10
• Lament over Tyre 28:11-19
• Against Sidon 28:20-24
• Interlude about Israel’s Restoration 28:25-26
• Egypt – Chapters 29 – 32
• Prophecy Against Egypt 29:1-13
• A Base Kingdom Re-Established 29:14-16
• Egypt for Nebuchadnezzar, not Tyre 29:17-21
• Babylon will Conquer – Chapter 30
• Pharaoh Warned About Assyria’s Fate – Chapter 31
• Final Lament for Egypt – Chapter 32

Prophesies of Restoration and Hope

After the fall of Jerusalem post 587 – Chapters 33 – 37

A Review of former oracles – chapter 33

Future promise – Chapters 34 – 37

Discussion of Shepherds: Past and Future – Chapter 34

Oracle Against Edom – Chapter 35

Explanation of Destruction and Promise of Restoration – Chapter 36

The Valley of Dry Bones – Chapter 37

Gog and Magog – Chapters 38 – 39

The Temple and City of God – chapters 40 – 48

• Measurement for the House 40:1-42:20
• The Appearance of the Glory of Yahweh 43:1-12
• Regulations for the Temple and Service 43:13-46:24
• Altar 43:13-27
• Personnel 44:1-45:8
• Instruction About Sacrifices 45:9-46:24
• Healing Waters 47:1-12
• Divisions of Restored Land 47:13-48:35

Bibliograpy

Howie , C. G., & Buttrick, G. A., +Eds., (1981), The Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible, The book of Ezekiel, Abingdon, Nashville, pp. 208 – 209.