EZEKIEL, BOOK or. The third of the so called greater prophets. While the prophecies of Ezekiel have come down to us, as concerns the subject-matter, substantially in the form in which the prophet himself left them (though doubts have recently been east on this point) , the Hebrew text is full of errors, containing addi tions by scribes, and changes which indicate that a revision was made subsequent to the prophet's death, or possibly several changes. By means of the Septuagint translation, which is based on a text varying considerably from the Hebrew, many of the original readings can be restored, and the Hebrew text otherwise improved. The hook, consisting of forty-eight chapters, may be divided into four sections, the contents of which may be summarized as follows: Part i. (chs. i.-xxiv.) consists of an introduc tion reciting the vision of Jehovah seated on a celestial chariot-throne supported and set in mo tion by four creatures, each having four wings and four faces, viz. man. lion, ox, eagle. (See CIIERta. ) From the mouth of Jehovah. Ezekiel receives his call to the prophetic office. his com mission to act as a guide to Israel. There fol low prophecies against the people of Israel (chs. iv.-xxiv.), subdivided into eighteen sections, (1) The siege of Jerusalem, represented by a picture drawn on a tablet: the prolonged transgressions of the people; and the hardships they should suffer, by the eating of a coarse and loathsome bread. (2) Judgments on the city by famine, war, and dispersion abroad. signified by hair and heard cut off, weighed, scattered, and burned. (3) Judgments against idolatry, with a promise that a remnant should he saved. (4) Captivity, inevitable and severe. under the em blem of a chain. (5) Transgressions of Judah, represented by the image of jealousy, and conse quent judgments, typified by the scattering of fire, and the departure of the shekinah. (6) The captivity of Zedekiah, represented by the re mac: 1 of household goods, and bread eaten with tren.ffing. (7) False prophets reproved and thr atened. (6) Idolatrous elders condemned. (ii) I. t rejection of Jerusalem, represented by He burning of an unfruitful vine. (10) God's compa, •ionate love, against which Israel had snmed, compared to kind care shown to a child cast out at its birth. (11) Judgments on Israel or turning to Egypt for help against Babylon denounced under the emblem of two great eagles, one ricesenting Nebuchadnezzar, and the other Pharaoh. (12) Judgment denounced on every
In.nsgressor for his own sins, contrary to the common proverb implying that children suffer for their fathers' faults. (13) Cantivity of the Jew ish kings, represented by lions pursued and cap tured, and of the Jewish people, by a vine scorched, torn up. and planted in the wilderness. (14) Cud's mercies to Israel, and their continued transgression reviewed; and, while final forgive ness is promised to the penitent, impending judg ments are declared. (15) A consumed forest represents Jerusalem destroyed, and a sharp sword, Nebuchadnezzar cutting down Ammonites and Jews. ( B3) Recital of sins committed in Jerusalem by all classes of the people, and judg ments on them denounced. (17) Idolatries of Samaria and Jerusalem. and their punishment. (18) Dreadful destruction of Jerusalem again Kochi lined.
Part ii. consists of prophecies against various nations around Judea (chs. xxv.-xxxii.), subdi vided into three sections. (1) Against the Am monites, Moabites, Edomites, and Philistines. (2) Against Tyre (represented. in its beauty, wealth, and renown, as the anointed cherub on the mountain of God), with a promise of return ing prosperity to Israel. (3) Against Egypt. In the last two prophecies Nebuchadnezzar is named as the instrument appointed to carry out God's purposes.
Part iii. embodies the promises of future de liverance to Israel (chs. xxxiii.-xxxix), subdi vided into five sections. (1) The prophet is com pared to a watchman appointed to give warning of danger, and is exhorted to he faithful. While under the power of the prophetic spirit, being in formed that Jerusalem had been taken by Nebu chadnezzar, he foretells the desolation of the land, and reproves the hypocrisy of the cap tives around him. (2) The rulers. civil and ecclesiastical, condemned as unfaithful shepherds. and a general restoration of the people promised under the guidance of the good shepherd, David the prince. (3) Judgments against Edom again foretold. (4) Promises of restoration renewed to Israel, under the emblems of fruitful moun tains, sprinkled water, a new heart, dry bones raised to life, and two sticks united together. (5) Destruction of Cog (i.e. the Scythian forces advancing from the north), followed by blessings to Israel.