📖 Biblical Definition
A priest of the line of Zadok, deported to Babylon in 597 BC with King Jehoiachin's exile group. Called as prophet in 593 BC by the river Chebar in Babylonia, where he saw the throne-chariot vision (Ezek 1). He prophesied to the exilic community for at least twenty-two years (Ezek 29:17). His prophecies include the departure of the glory from the temple (chs. 8-11), the death of his wife as a sign (24:15-27), the valley of dry bones (37), the gathering of Israel, the final battle of Gog and Magog (38-39), and the visionary new temple (40-48).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
EZEKIEL, n.
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A scriptural proper name; the early-sixth-century BC priest-prophet of the Babylonian exile.
📖 Key Scripture
Ezekiel 1:1 — "As I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God."
Ezekiel 3:17 — "I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel."
Ezekiel 36:26 — "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you."
Ezekiel 37:3 — "Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often skips Ezekiel as obscure apocalyptic; the dry-bones vision is the gospel of the new heart.
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Ezekiel 36-37 is one of the most theologically dense pairs of chapters in the Old Testament. The new heart and new spirit promise of 36:26 is fulfilled in the dry-bones vision of 37:1-14. The Lord gathers the bones, fits them together, covers them with sinews and flesh, and breathes Spirit-life into them. The same Lord raises spiritually dead souls to new life today by the same Spirit.
Modern Christianity often skips Ezekiel as obscure apocalyptic. Read chapters 36-37 first. The Lord still raises the dry bones. He still gives the new heart. He still puts His Spirit within. The watchman's task is to call out over the bones O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord; the breath comes from the four winds.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew/Greek roots below.
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H3168 — Yechezqel — Ezekiel; God strengthens
H3529 — Kevar — Chebar
Usage
"Modern Christianity skips Ezekiel as obscure; the dry-bones vision is the gospel of the new heart."
"The Lord still raises the dry bones; the new heart and Spirit are still given."
"Call out over the bones; the breath comes from the four winds."