Bible Study: Ezekiel

History and Context of Ezekiel: Fortunately, we are about as well-informed about the history of the ancient Near East in Ezekiel’s time as of any period in the OT. Much of our knowledge comes from the Bible itself, especially 2 Kings 22-25 and 2 Chronicles 34-36, and much of the last half of the book of Jeremiah.

2:1 “He said to me” — The chapter divisions in Ezekiel are arti cial with medieval origin. Many of them correspond to the Masoretic (“traditional”) divisions in the Hebrew text.

1:1 Superscription — “Thirtieth year” of Elijah’s life, a priest deported by Jehoiachin in 597, now having reached maturity to serve in the Temple, c.f. “The fourth month” is Tammuz (roughly June/July).