Ezekiel

Ezekiel, a priest, received a vision from God in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar. In the vision, he saw a whirlwind with a great cloud and fire, from which emerged four living creatures with four faces and four wings each. The creatures were surrounded by wheels with eyes all around, which moved in unison with the creatures. Above the creatures was a firmament, and above that, a throne with the appearance of a man, surrounded by a radiant glow and a rainbow.

The Lord commissions Ezekiel as a prophet to the rebellious Israelites, who have turned away from God's covenant. Ezekiel is instructed to speak God's words to them, despite their hard hearts and faces, and not to fear their opposition. The Lord warns Ezekiel that the Israelites are a provoking house, but he should not be like them and instead listen to God's words. Ezekiel is then given a scroll with writings of lamentations, verses, and woes to eat and speak to the Israelites.

God commands Ezekiel to eat a scroll and then speak to the house of Israel, warning them that they will not listen because they have hardened hearts. Ezekiel is told not to fear them, as God has made his face stronger than theirs. Ezekiel is then appointed as a watchman for the house of Israel, responsible for warning the wicked to turn from their ways and the righteous to remain just, with the consequence of being held accountable for their blood if he fails to do so. Ezekiel is later instructed to go to the plain where God speaks to him, and then to enclose himself in his house, where he will be bound and mute until God opens his mouth to speak.

God instructs Ezekiel to draw a picture of Jerusalem on a tablet and set up a blockade against it, using an iron frying pan as a wall, to signify the siege of the city. Ezekiel is then told to lie on his left side for 390 days, bearing the iniquity of the house of Israel, and then on his right side for 40 days, bearing the iniquity of the house of Judah. During this time, Ezekiel is to eat a limited amount of food, 20 staters a day, and drink a limited amount of water, one sixth of a hin, and to eat his food polluted with cow manure. This is a sign of the suffering the Israelites will endure when God crushes the staff of bread in Jerusalem, causing them to eat and drink with anxiety and anguish.

The prophet Ezekiel is instructed to shave his head and beard, then divide the hair into three parts, burning one part, cutting another, and scattering the third, symbolizing the fate of Jerusalem. The city has despised God's judgments and is more impious than the surrounding nations, leading to God's judgment and punishment. One third of the people will die from pestilence or famine, one third will fall by the sword, and one third will be scattered to the wind. God will execute his fury and indignation upon them, making them a desolate and disgraced nation among the Gentiles.

The Lord God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy against the mountains of Israel, warning of destruction by the sword, famine, and pestilence, and the desolation of cities and exalted places. The people will be punished for their idolatry and abominations, and those who escape will be dispersed among the Gentiles, where they will remember the Lord and be displeased with themselves for their past actions. The Lord's indignation will be fulfilled, and the people will know that He is the Lord when their slain lie among their idols and altars. The earth will be made desolate and destitute from the desert of Riblah to all their dwelling places.

The Lord declares the end is coming to the land of Israel, and He will judge them according to their ways, showing no leniency or pity. Destruction and wrath will be poured out upon them, and they will be punished for their crimes and abominations. The people will be afflicted with sword, pestilence, and famine, and those who survive will be left trembling and ashamed. The Lord will give the land over to foreigners as a spoil, and the people will be punished for their idolatry and iniquity.

The prophet Ezekiel is taken by the Spirit to Jerusalem, where he sees the idol of rivalry at the inner gate, and then he is shown various abominations committed by the elders of Israel, including worshiping images of reptiles and animals, and burning incense in secret. He also sees women mourning for Adonis and men worshiping the rising sun with their backs to the temple. God tells Ezekiel that these abominations are so great that He will not be lenient or take pity on them, and will act in fury towards them.

The Lord commands six men, each with a killing instrument, and a seventh man clothed in linen with a writing instrument, to enter Jerusalem. The man in linen is instructed to mark the foreheads of those who mourn the city's abominations, sparing them from destruction, while the others are to kill everyone else, including the elderly, young, and women, starting from the Lord's sanctuary. The slaughter is carried out, and the prophet Ezekiel laments the destruction, but the Lord responds that the iniquity of Israel and Judah is too great, and He will repay their wickedness accordingly.

The Lord instructed a man clothed in linen to enter between the wheels under the cherubim and fill his hands with coals of fire to pour on the city. The man obeyed, and the glory of the Lord lifted up from the cherubim to the threshold of the house, filling it with a cloud. The sound of the cherubim's wings was heard, and the man clothed in linen received fire from the midst of the wheels to take forth. Ezekiel saw four wheels beside the cherubim, each with four faces - a cherub, a man, a lion, and an eagle - and full of eyes all around. The cherubim and wheels moved together, and the glory of the Lord went forth from the temple, standing above the cherubim as they were raised up from the earth.

The prophet Ezekiel is taken to the east gate of the Lord's house, where he sees 25 men, including Jaazaniah and Pelatiah, who are devising iniquity and offering wicked counsel. God tells Ezekiel to prophesy against them, saying they have filled the city with the slain and will be judged and cast out to the enemies. When Ezekiel prophesies, Pelatiah dies, and Ezekiel cries out to God, who responds by saying He will be a sanctuary for the Israelites in the lands where they have been dispersed and will eventually gather them and give them a new heart to follow His precepts.

The Lord instructs Ezekiel to prepare for exile, acting out the fate of the Israelites by packing his belongings and leaving in the daytime, then digging through a wall and being carried away in the dark. This is a sign to the Israelites that they too will be taken captive and exiled. The Lord says that the leader of Israel will be captured and taken to Babylon, where he will die, and the people will be scattered among the nations. The Lord also warns that the Israelites will eat their bread in anxiety and drink their water in desolation, and the land will be desolate because of their iniquity. The Lord declares that He will fulfill His words and no longer delay, and that the visions and prophecies will soon come to pass.

The Lord condemns the prophets of Israel who prophesy from their own hearts and see nothing, speaking falsehoods and claiming the Lord has spoken. These prophets have not stood against the adversary, and their visions are futile and lying. The Lord declares He is against them, and they will not be part of His people or enter the land of Israel. The Lord also condemns the female prophets who sew pillows and cushions to capture souls, lying to the people and killing those who should not die, and enlivening those who should not live. The Lord will tear away their pillows and cushions, freeing His people from their hands.

The Lord warns that those who approach prophets with uncleanness in their hearts and idols before their faces will receive a response from God according to their multitude of uncleannesses, and will be punished for their iniquities. God calls the house of Israel to turn away from their idols and abominations, and promises to set His face against those who refuse to do so. The Lord also warns that when a land sins against Him, He will bring judgment upon it, and even the righteousness of men like Noah, Daniel, and Job will not be able to save others from destruction, but only themselves. However, God promises that even in the midst of judgment, some will be saved and will be a consolation to those who see their ways and accomplishments.

The Lord compares the people of Jerusalem to a vine branch, useless for any purpose, and even more so after being burned by fire. Just as the vine branch is consumed by fire, the Lord will deliver the inhabitants of Jerusalem to be devoured by fire. The Lord will set His face against them, and they will be consumed by fire, leaving their land desolate and impassable. This is a result of their transgressions against the Lord.

The Lord God describes Jerusalem's origins as a lowly and unclean city, born of Canaanite and Amorite parents, but He chose her, cleansed her, and adorned her with beauty and riches. However, Jerusalem became proud of her beauty and used it to fornicate with other nations, sacrificing her children to idols and engaging in prostitution. The Lord God condemns Jerusalem's actions, comparing her to a prostitute who pays her lovers instead of receiving payment, and announces that He will gather her lovers against her, uncover her shame, and judge her with the judgment of adulteresses. The Lord God also compares Jerusalem to her sisters, Sodom and Samaria, stating that Jerusalem's sins are even greater than theirs, but He promises to restore Sodom and Samaria, and to give them to Jerusalem as daughters, as a reminder of her shame and a testament to God's covenant with her.

The Lord tells Ezekiel to describe a parable of two eagles and a vine, where the first eagle takes a cedar branch to a city of merchants and plants it, and it grows into a vine. However, the vine turns to another eagle for nourishment, despite being planted in a good land. The Lord says that the vine will wither and be destroyed because it has turned away from its original nourishment. The parable is then explained as a representation of the king of Judah, who has turned to Egypt for help instead of trusting in the Lord, and will therefore be punished and taken captive by the king of Babylon. The Lord then promises to plant a new cedar tree, representing a new and faithful kingdom, which will flourish and provide shelter for all.

The Lord declares that each person is responsible for their own sins, and the soul that sins will die, while the righteous will live. A righteous person who does justice and keeps God's precepts will live, regardless of their father's sins. Conversely, a wicked person who repents and does justice will live, and a righteous person who turns to wickedness will die. The Lord emphasizes that His ways are fair, and it is the people's ways that are perverse, calling them to repent and turn away from their iniquities to live.

The leaders of Israel are compared to a lioness who raises her cubs among lions, but they are eventually captured and taken away by the Gentiles. A second lion is appointed, but he also becomes a destroyer of men and is eventually captured and imprisoned. The passage then shifts to a metaphor of a vine, representing Israel, which is planted by the water and flourishes, but is eventually uprooted and destroyed by fire.

The Lord God speaks to Ezekiel, telling him to inform the elders of Israel that He will not answer their inquiries because of their abominations and idolatry. The Lord recounts how He chose Israel, led them out of Egypt, and gave them His precepts and Sabbaths, but they continually disobeyed and provoked Him. Despite this, the Lord acted for the sake of His name and did not destroy them. The Lord warns the current generation of Israelites that they will be judged for their idolatry and disobedience, and that He will reign over them with a strong hand and lead them into the desert for judgment. Ultimately, the Lord promises to restore Israel and lead them back to their land, where they will serve Him and be sanctified before the nations.

The Lord tells Ezekiel to prophesy against Israel, warning that He will bring His sword against the land, slaying both the just and the wicked, and that all flesh will know His judgment. The sword is sharpened and polished, ready to be used by the one who kills, and Ezekiel is told to cry out and wail for the people and the leaders of Israel who will be handed over to the sword. The Lord also tells Ezekiel to set two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to approach, and the king will use divination to decide which way to go, ultimately leading to the capture of Jerusalem and the judgment of the wicked leader of Israel. The Lord also pronounces judgment on the sons of Ammon, warning that the sword will be unsheathed to slay and that they will be given over to cruel men.

The Lord God condemns the city of Jerusalem for its numerous abominations, including shedding blood, idolatry, and defiling the Sabbath. The leaders of Israel are accused of using their power to shed blood and oppress the weak, while the prophets and priests are guilty of despising God's law and profaning the sanctuaries. The people of the land are also condemned for their oppression, violence, and greed. God declares that He will disperse the people among the nations, scatter them among the lands, and cause their uncleanness to fade away, and that He will pour out His indignation upon them in the fire of His wrath.

The Lord describes two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, who represent Samaria and Jerusalem, as having committed spiritual adultery by turning to other nations and idols for help and comfort. Oholah, representing Samaria, was first to commit adultery with the Assyrians, while Oholibah, representing Jerusalem, followed her example and also committed adultery with the Assyrians and the Babylonians. The Lord declares that He will judge both sisters for their sins, and they will be punished by the very nations with whom they committed adultery. The chapter concludes with the Lord stating that He will put an end to their wickedness and that all women will learn not to act according to their wickedness.

The Lord instructs Ezekiel to prophesy against Jerusalem, comparing it to a cooking pot filled with blood and rust, which will be purified through fire and judgment. The city's inhabitants will be punished for their sins, and the Lord will not show mercy. Ezekiel is then told that his wife will die, and he is not to mourn or show grief, but instead to continue prophesying to the people. The Lord explains that Ezekiel's actions will be a sign to the people of what will happen to them when the Lord takes away their strength and joy, and Ezekiel will be a portent to them of the Lord's judgment.

The Lord speaks against the sons of Ammon, Moab, Idumea, and the Philistines for their actions against Israel and Judah. The Ammonites will be given as an inheritance to the sons of the East, who will desolate their land and destroy their cities. Moab and Seir will also be punished for their actions, with their cities being given to the sons of the East as an inheritance. Idumea will be desolated from the south, and the Philistines will be destroyed for their vengeance against Israel.

The Lord declares judgment against Tyre, stating that He will cause many nations to rise up against the city, breaking its walls and towers, and reducing it to a bare rock. The city will be plundered, its people killed, and its wealth laid waste. The Lord will bring Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, to besiege the city, and Tyre will be destroyed, its inhabitants slain, and its ruins cast into the sea. The city's downfall will cause the islands and leaders of the sea to mourn and be astonished, and Tyre will be reduced to nothing, never to be found again.

The Lord describes Tyre as a beautiful and prosperous city, situated at the entrance to the sea, with merchants and traders from many nations, including Greece, Syria, and Israel, bringing various goods such as metals, grains, and precious stones. The city's wealth and glory are attributed to its strategic location and extensive trade network. However, the Lord declares that Tyre will be destroyed, its riches and treasures lost at sea, and its people will fall, causing widespread mourning and lamentation among the nations that once traded with it.

The Lord God condemns the leader of Tyre for his arrogance and claim to be God, stating that he will be destroyed by foreigners and die the death of the uncircumcised. The king of Tyre was once perfect in beauty and wisdom, but his heart was corrupted by his own beauty and business dealings, leading to his downfall. The Lord also speaks against Sidon, promising to execute judgments and send a pestilence upon the city. Ultimately, the Lord will gather the house of Israel from their dispersion and they will live securely in their own land, knowing that the Lord is their God.

The Lord declares judgment against Pharaoh, king of Egypt, calling him a great dragon who claims the river as his own. The Lord will cast Pharaoh into the desert, along with the fish of his rivers, and give him to the beasts of the earth and birds of the air to be devoured. Egypt will be desolate for 40 years, and its people will be scattered among the nations, only to be gathered again and returned to their land as a lowly kingdom. The Lord will also give Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, as wages for his service against Tyre.

The Lord declares that a day of gloom is approaching for Egypt, and the sword will come to the land, causing destruction and death. Egypt's allies, including Ethiopia and Libya, will also fall by the sword. The Lord will bring a fire into Egypt, and its helpers will be worn away, and the land will be scattered into desolate lands. The Lord will use Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, to destroy Egypt and its multitude, and the land will be delivered into the hands of foreigners. The Lord will destroy Egypt's idols and commanders, and send terror upon the land, executing judgments in various cities, including Memphis, Alexandria, and Pelusium.

The Lord compares Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to a majestic cedar tree in the garden of God, elevated above all other trees due to its abundant water supply. However, because of its pride and arrogance, the tree is cut down by the most powerful of the Gentiles and cast to the ground, with all the birds and beasts that once lived in its shadow now abandoning it. The tree's downfall serves as a warning to all other trees not to exalt themselves, as they too will eventually meet the same fate. Pharaoh and his multitude will be brought down to the lowest part of the earth, to sleep among the uncircumcised and those slain by the sword.

The Lord God instructs Ezekiel to lament the fall of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, comparing him to a lion and a dragon that has disturbed the waters. God will cast a net over Pharaoh and throw him upon the land, where he will be devoured by birds and beasts. The land of Egypt will be desolate, its waters will be purified, and its multitude will be destroyed. Ezekiel is then instructed to sing a mournful song over the multitude of Egypt, which will be cast down to the lowest part of the earth, where they will join other fallen nations, including Assur, Elam, Meshech, and Tubal. Pharaoh will see these nations and be consoled that he is not alone in his fate, but ultimately, he too will sleep with the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

God appoints Ezekiel as a watchman to warn the Israelites of impending judgment, and if he fails to warn them, their blood will be on his hands. However, if he warns them and they do not listen, their blood will be on their own heads. God desires the conversion of the wicked and the salvation of all, and warns that the righteous will not be saved by their past good deeds if they sin, and the wicked will not be condemned by their past evil deeds if they repent. The Israelites claim that God's ways are unfair, but God will judge each person according to their own ways. God also condemns those who live in ruinous ways and commit abominations, saying they will fall by the sword, be devoured by wild beasts, or die of pestilence. The Israelites listen to Ezekiel's words but do not obey them, treating them as mere entertainment, but they will eventually know that a prophet was among them when God's judgment comes to pass.

God condemns the shepherds of Israel for feeding themselves and neglecting the flock, causing them to be scattered and devoured by wild beasts. God promises to seek out the lost sheep, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak, and to judge between the fat and lean cattle. God will raise up one shepherd, David, to feed and care for the flock, and will make a covenant of peace with them, providing for their needs and protecting them from harm.

The Lord declares judgment against Mount Seir, condemning its people for their long-standing hostility towards Israel, particularly during times of affliction. As a result, the Lord will make Mount Seir desolate and deserted, filling its mountains and valleys with the slain, and handing it over to everlasting desolations. The Lord will act in accord with Mount Seir's own wrath and zeal, judging them for their hatred and disgraces spoken against the mountains of Israel. Mount Seir will be laid waste, just as they rejoiced over the destruction of Israel.

The Lord God speaks to the mountains of Israel, condemning the nations that have desecrated and ridiculed them, and promising to restore the land and its people. He vows to multiply the people of Israel, to fill the cities and the land with men and cattle, and to give them greater gifts than they had before. The Lord also promises to cleanse the people of Israel from their filth and idols, to give them a new heart and a new spirit, and to lead them to live in the land that He gave to their fathers. He will restore the cities and the land, and the Gentiles will know that He is the Lord.

The Lord led Ezekiel to a valley filled with dry bones, instructing him to prophesy to the bones, saying they would live and be given spirit. As Ezekiel prophesied, the bones joined together, sinews and flesh grew over them, and skin covered them, but they still had no spirit. The Lord then instructed Ezekiel to prophesy to the spirit, which entered the bodies, reviving them into a great army. The Lord explained that the bones represented the house of Israel, who would be restored to their land and given new life through the Lord's Spirit. The Lord also instructed Ezekiel to join two pieces of wood, representing Judah and Joseph, symbolizing the reunification of Israel under one king, the Lord's servant David, and that they would live in the land forever under a covenant of peace.

God warns Gog, the prince of Magog, that He is against him and will lead him away with his army to the mountains of Israel, where they will be defeated. Gog's army, consisting of various nations, will ascend to Israel like a tempest, seeking to plunder and take possession of the land. However, God will intervene, causing a great commotion and destruction, and will judge Gog and his army with pestilence, blood, and natural disasters, ultimately magnifying and sanctifying Himself before the nations.

God will bring Gog, the prince of Meshech and Tubal, and his armies against Israel, but God will defeat them and they will fall on the mountains of Israel. The dead will be devoured by wild animals and birds, and the survivors will be punished. The people of Israel will burn the enemy's weapons for seven years and bury the dead for seven months. God will then restore Israel, gathering them from among the nations and pouring out his Spirit upon them, and they will know that he is their God.

A man with the appearance of brass, holding a linen rope and a measuring reed, led Ezekiel to a high mountain in the land of Israel, where he saw a city with a wall and a gate. The man measured the width and height of the gate, its chambers, and its vestibule, as well as the width of the threshold and the border. He also measured the length and width of the gate, the court, and the storerooms, and described the windows, engravings, and palm trees. The man led Ezekiel to the outer court, the inner court, and the gates, measuring and describing each one, including the tables for immolating offerings and the storerooms for the priests. Finally, he measured the court and the altar, and led Ezekiel into the vestibule of the temple, measuring its width, length, and steps.

The temple's dimensions were measured, with the front being six cubits wide on each side, the gate being ten cubits wide, and the length being forty cubits. The Holy of Holies was twenty cubits long and twenty cubits wide. The wall of the house was six cubits thick, and the side chambers were arranged in a circular path, with the temple being wider in the higher parts. The interior of the temple featured cherubim and palm trees engraved on the walls, with two doors in the temple and sanctuary, each having two little doors that folded within each other.

The prophet Ezekiel is led to the outer court and shown the storerooms, which are divided into three levels and have no pillars. The storerooms are 50 cubits long and 100 cubits wide, with an entrance from the east and a walkway of 10 cubits in width. The storerooms are holy places where the priests eat and station the Holy of Holies, and they must change their vestments before going out to the people. Ezekiel is then led out of the inner house and the entire area is measured, with the wall being 500 cubits in length and 500 cubits in width on every side.

The glory of God enters the temple from the east, and the prophet Ezekiel is led to the inner court where the house is filled with God's glory. God declares that this is the place of His throne and that He will live among the sons of Israel forever, but they must first drive away their sins and defilements. Ezekiel is instructed to reveal the temple's design and laws to the house of Israel, so they may be ashamed of their iniquities and follow God's precepts. The chapter also describes the measurements and rituals of the altar, including the offerings and expiations that must be made to cleanse and dedicate it.

The Lord shows Ezekiel the closed eastern gate of the temple, which will remain closed because the Lord has entered through it, and only the prince will be allowed to sit and eat there. The Lord then instructs Ezekiel to observe and report on the laws and ceremonies of the temple, warning the Israelites to stop their wicked deeds and not to allow foreigners or uncircumcised people to enter the sanctuary. The Levites, who have gone astray, will be caretakers and doorkeepers, but not priests, while the priests and Levites who remained faithful, specifically the sons of Zadok, will minister to the Lord and observe the ceremonies. The priests are given specific instructions on their attire, behavior, and marriage, and are tasked with teaching the people the difference between holy and defiled, and with judging and observing the Lord's laws and precepts.

The Lord instructs the Israelites to set apart a portion of the land as a sanctified area for the priests, Levites, and the prince, with specific dimensions and boundaries. This area will include the temple, the Holy of Holies, and the priests' houses. The prince will also have a designated area, and the people of Israel will have a separate possession. The Lord commands the princes to cease from iniquity and execute justice, and to use just scales and measures. The Israelites are also instructed to offer first-fruits and sacrifices to the Lord, including a portion of their wheat, barley, and oil, as well as animals for sacrifice and holocausts. The prince will offer sacrifices on behalf of himself and the people, including during the Passover and other solemnities.

The Lord God instructs that the east gate of the inner court is to be closed on weekdays, but opened on the Sabbath and new moon days for the prince to enter and offer sacrifices. The prince and the people are to follow specific procedures for entering and exiting the gate, and the prince is to offer various sacrifices on the Sabbath, new moon, and during feasts. The prince is also to offer a daily holocaust of a lamb and a sacrifice, and he is to follow specific rules for granting gifts to his sons and servants. The chapter also describes the storerooms and kitchens for the priests, where they will cook offerings and sacrifices.

A man led Ezekiel to the east gate of the temple, where waters flowed from under the threshold toward the east and south of the altar. The waters continued to flow and rise, eventually becoming a profound torrent that Ezekiel was unable to cross. The man told Ezekiel that the waters would heal the land and bring life to all living creatures, and that fishermen would stand over the waters and catch a multitude of fish. The waters would also bring forth fruit trees that would produce fruit every month, and its leaves would be used for medicine. The chapter also describes the borders of the land that would be divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, with the land being divided by lot as an inheritance for the indigenous and the new arrivals.

The land of Israel is divided among the 12 tribes, with each tribe receiving a portion from the eastern region to the sea. The tribe of Levi is given a special portion, with the sanctuary of the Lord in its midst, and the priests from the sons of Zadok are given a portion beside the border of the Levites. The city is measured and has gates named after the tribes of Israel, with three gates on each of the four sides. The city is surrounded by suburbs and the remaining land is given to the prince. The chapter concludes with the name of the city being "The Lord is in that very place."