Ezekiel Mid-term Studyguide

OLT 343

What is the topic of Chapter 1?

The Vision of the Divine Throne Chariot (1:4-28)

What was the appearance of the four creatures in chapter 1?

Each had four faces and four wings, resembling a man, lion(right side), ox(left side), and eagle, with legs like a calf.

What occurs in chapter 2?

The man with the appearance of the likeness of the glory of God calls Ezekiel to be a prophet to the Israelites, instructing him to speak God's words to them.

He commands Ezekiel not to be afraid or terrified of what the Israelites might say or do.

What is the topic of Chapter 3?

Ezekiel’s Commissioning as a Watchman (3:16-27)

What is the role of a watchman (labeled in chapter 3)?

A watchman is tasked with warning the people of impending danger or judgment, ensuring they are aware of their actions and responsibilities before God.

Meant to warn the wicked person to turn from their ways so they could be saved from their sins. The watchman serves as a spiritual guardian, alerting individuals to their sinful behaviors and urging repentance to avoid judgment.

What other chapters in Ezekiel mention the watchman?

Chapters 33 and 34 (in addition to chapter 3)

What is the topic detailed in chapter 4 and 5?

The Four Sign-Acts that symbolize the siege of Jerusalem and the consequences of the people's sins. (4:1-5:17)

What are the four sign acts?

4:1-3 A model of Jerusalem, lying on one side, and the use of symbols to represent the siege and exile of the people.

4:4-8 Lying on his side for a specific number of days to bear the iniquity of Israel (390) and Judah (40), representing their punishment.

4:9-17 Preparation of food in a specific manner to symbolize the scarcity during the siege, including using human excrement as fuel, and the command to eat it in a defiled state, highlighting the severity of their situation.

5:1-4 Ezekiel shaving off his hair with a razor is to symbolize that only a small remnant of Israel will be left from God’s unfolding judgment.

What is the topic in chapter 8?

Four Scenes of Abomination Near the Temple

What were the four scenes of abonination in the temple?

Idolatrous worship: 1) “idol of jealousy” 2) “crawling things and uclean animals” 3) “mourning the god Tammuz” 4) “bowing down to the sun”

What is the topic in chapter 9?

The Visionary Destruction of Jerusalem

What was the judgement of idolators in chapter 9?

9:4-10 God told the man in linen to put a mark on the forehead of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it (they greieved over the remnant). Told him to kill every person who does not have a mark on their foreheads. The sins of ther people of Israel were exceedingly great and their land is full of bloodshed. So God will not look on them with pity because of what they have done.

What is the topic in chapter 10?

The Glory Departs from the Temple

What is the topic in chapter 12?

The Sign Act of the Exile

What was the sign act of the exile?

Ezekiel packed up his belongings for exile during the daytime. Then during the evening Ezekiel has to go to the wall and start to dig though it with his hands as the people watch. God warns them that they will go to exile as captives for theirs sins. The prince will bring them into Babylon.

What is the topic of chapter 13

False Prophets and Prophetesses Condemned

What is the topic of chapter 14?

Idolaters Condemned

What is the topic of chapter 15?

The Parable of the Worthless Vine

What is a parable?

A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. In Ezekiel, parables convey deeper truths about God's judgment, the behavior of His people, and the consequences of their actions.

What is the parable of the worthless vine in Ezekiel 15?

The parable illustrates that Israel, like a worthless vine, cannot produce fruit or fulfill its purpose. Because of their unfaithfulness and disobedience, they are deemed useless for God's plans, symbolizing their consequences as a people whose actions lead to judgment.

What is the topic of chapter 16?

The Parable of the Unfaithful Wife

What is the parable of the unfaithful wife in Ezekiel 16?

This parable depicts Israel as an unfaithful wife who forsakes her covenant with God, symbolizing betrayal and the consequences of infidelity in a spiritual context.

What is the topic of chapter 17?

The Parable of the Vine and Two Eagles

What is the parable of the vine and two eagles in Ezekiel 17?

The parable depicts a vine that represents Israel, which is taken by one eagle (Babylon) to a fertile land. A second eagle (Egypt) symbolizes Israel's attempt to rely on foreign powers for support. Ultimately, God warns that reliance on Egypt will lead to destruction, emphasizing the need for Israel to trust in Him alone for security and prosperity.

What is the topic of chapter 18?

The Proverb of Sour Grapes

What is a proverb in context to Ezekiel?

A proverb in Ezekiel conveys moral lessons or truths, often using concise and impactful statements.

What is the proverb of sour grapes?

The proverb of sour grapes refers to the notion that people may reject or belittle something they desire but cannot possess, as a way to alleviate their disappointment. In Ezekiel, it highlights the Israelites' tendency to blame their misfortunes on previous generations instead of acknowledging their own sins, underscoring personal accountability for one's actions.

What is the topic of chapter 19?

The Parables of the Lion Cubs and the Uprooted Vine

What is the parable of the lion cubs and the uprooted vine?

This parable illustrates the failures of Israel's leadership by comparing Israel's royal lineage to lion cubs, representing the strength and majesty of King David's descendants. The uprooted vine symbolizes the downfall and loss of power experienced by the nation due to their disobedience and unfaithfulness to God. This imagery emphasizes how the leaders' actions can lead to national consequences, highlighting the importance of faithfulness and righteousness in leadership.

Where is “high above on the throne a figure like that of a man” from?

1:26

Where is “This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations” from?

5:5

Where is “The end is now upon you and I will unleash my anger against you” from?

7:3

Where is “You will see things that are even more detestable” from?

8:6, 13, 15

Where is “put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament” from?

9:4

Where is “I will gather you from the nations […] I will give you back the land of Israel” from?

11:7

Where is “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them” from?

11:19

Where is “I spread the corner of my garment over you […] I gave you my solemn oath and entered into covenant with you” from?

16:8

Where is “I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it” from?

17:22

What is the difference between “foretelling” and “forthtelling”?

Foretelling refers to predicting future events, while forthtelling involves proclaiming God's message for the present.

What is the subject and object of prophecy?

The central subject of the prophecy is Jesus, the Messiah. The central object of the prophecy is redemption. The Our redemption comes only through the sacrificial blood of Christ.

What is the overarching theme of Ezekiel in p. 13?

THE INTERMINABLE GLORY AND SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

What is the signifcance of these three years: 605 B.C., 597 B.C. and 586 B.C?

These years mark key events in the history of Judah's downfall leading to the Babylonian exile: 605 B.C. marks the first wave of exile when Daniel and other royalty were taken to Babylon. 597 B.C. signifies the second wave of exiles, including King Jehoiachin, as Nebuchadnezzar sought to establish control over Judah. Finally, 586 B.C. is the year Jerusalem was destroyed, the Temple was burned, and the majority of the remaining population was taken into exile, fundamentally altering the course of Jewish history.

When was Ezekiel taken into exile?

597 B.C., same years as King Jehoiachin

When was Ezekiel’s first vision?

592 B.C, according to Ezekiel 1:2

What is the meaning of Ezekiel’s name?

“God strengthens” or “whom God will strengthen”

What is Ezekiel a contemporary of?

Jeremiah and Daniel

When were the visions brought to Ezekiel?

While he was in exile in Babylon

How long did Jeremiah propheize that Judah would be in exile?

70 years

Which chapters contain Ezekiel’s “call narrative”?

Chapters 1-3

What were the “living creatures” regonized as in Ezekiel 1 and 10 (10:20)?

Cherubim

How many times did Ezekiel use the name Elohim?

34 times

What does Elohim mean?

God strengthens' or 'whom God will strengthen.'

How many times did Ezekiel use the name Yahweh/LORD?

200 times

What does Yahweh mean?

The name for God used in the Hebrew Bible, signifying His eternal existence.

How many times is the term son of man used?

93 times

What is the hebrew word for glory?

kabod

What is relationship of the “high places” to idolatry and altars in Judah?

The high places in Judah were sites of idolatrous worship and altars, where people offered sacrifices to false gods, undermining loyalty to Yahweh.

What are the two major words for idol?

gillûl (“logs, blocks,” 38x) and tô-ebâ

(“morally desgusting thing,” 41x)

How many times do we see “Then they will know that I am the Lord”?

60 times

What were the names of the last three kings of Judah?

Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah

Jehoiakim

King of Judah, known for his rebellion against Babylon and faced repercussions leading to the kingdom's decline.

Jehoiakim was the King of Judah from 609 to 598 B.C. He ascended to the throne after the assassination of his brother, King Josiah. Notably, Jehoiakim is remembered for his rebellion against Babylon, particularly during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, which prompted military campaigns against Judah.

Jehoiachin

Jehoiachin was the penultimate king of Judah, who reigned for three months before being exiled to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar.

Jehoiachin, also known as Jeconiah, was the penultimate king of Judah, reigning for only three months from 598 to 597 B.C. He ascended to the throne at the young age of 18 following the reign of his father, Jehoiakim. His short reign was marked by a crisis, as Jerusalem faced the military might of Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon. Jehoiachin was captured after yielding to Babylon's pressure, resulting in his exile along with other nobles and craftsmen to Babylon, where he spent many years in confinement.

Zedekiah

Last king of Judah, known for his weak leadership and rebellion against Babylon, leading to the kingdom's fall.

Zedekiah's reign began around 598 BC. He was 21 years old when he became king. His reign ended when Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II. Zedekiah conspired to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar with the help of Egypt. He listened to his advisors instead of the prophet Jeremiah. Zedekiah and his followers were captured and taken to Riblah. His eyes were put out after seeing his sons put to death. He was taken captive to Babylon, where he remained a prisoner until his death. His epitaph is "he did evil in the sight of the Lord". The Hebrew and Old Greek versions of Jeremiah present very different portrayals of Zedekiah