Ezekiel

Ezekiel ( Ezekiel also, Hebrew יחזקאל Yehezkel, Jechezkel ) was next to Isaiah and Jeremiah, one of three major writing prophets of the Tanach, the Hebrew Bible and lived around the 6th century BC Its existence is hardly disputed in science.

Origin and context

Ezekiel was the son of a priest and a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah, the prophet Daniel. He wrote the book of Ezekiel. He belonged to the first group in response to the Babylonian captivity in 598 BC deported Israelites that led into exile with Jehoiachin the king Nebuchadnezzar II. He received his residence in Mesopotamia by the river Chebar, now the Shatt -en- Nil at Babylon, where he appeared as a prophet. There he began his prophetic work at the age of 30 years. Overall, he worked 20 years as a prophet during the Babylonian exile, however, occurred in Israel or Judah itself on never.

Evidence in the Book of Ezekiel point to its outstanding importance in the Diaspora community: meetings of the council of elders before him (Ezek 8.1 EU) or local call on him ( Ez 33,30 ff EU).

Embassy and ministry

In the parts of the Book of Ezekiel, which are derived from the historical prophets proven, he affirms monotheism and exerts sharpest criticism of the idols and other gods, which the Israelites had fallen into disrepair. His criticism is sharp and aggressive. After the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, which marked a turning point for him, he proclaims increasingly salvation for Israel.

He characterizes the idea of ​​the holiness of God's name and is considered the father of the priestly theology. This is also reflected in his classic themes such as priestly purity and innocence ( Ez 4.14 EU).