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Portrait of EzekielPortrait · Ezekiel

Exile · Old Testament

Ezekiel

Exilic Prophet of Visions and Restoration

Name meaning
God will strengthen
Name origin
Hebrew: יְחֶזְקֵאל (Yechezkel), meaning "God will strengthen"

Quick facts

Occupation
  • Priest
  • Prophet among exiles
Birthplace
Jerusalem (priestly family)
Modern-day location
Jerusalem; the family connection is recorded, but the birthplace is not explicit.
Family
  • Son of Buzi the priest
  • Husband (his wife's death is noted in Ezekiel 24)
First mention
Ezekiel 1:1-3
Last mention
Ezekiel 29:17; also 2 Kings 24:14-16 background
Key artifacts
  • Scroll eaten by prophet
  • Model of Jerusalem on a brick
  • Valley of dry bones vision

Key verses

  • “And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words.”

    Ezekiel 2:6

  • “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.”

    Ezekiel 36:26

  • “Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live.”

    Ezekiel 37:5

Biography

Early Life

Ezekiel was a priest carried to Babylon in the exile of 597 BC. By the river Chebar he saw visions of God's glory and was called to be a watchman for Israel.

Defining Biblical Moments

Ezekiel acted out parables with models, lay on his side, ate a scroll, saw the valley of dry bones come to life, and envisioned a new temple with a river bringing healing. His message moved from judgment to hope of renewal and a new heart.

Strengths

Ezekiel shows imaginative obedience, willingness to embody difficult messages, and steadfast hope in God's restoring power.

Weaknesses & Lessons

The burden of being a watchman with dramatic, sometimes isolating symbolic acts highlights the cost of prophetic witness among a displaced community.

Life Lessons for Today

God's presence is not confined to one place; even in displacement, God can bring life where there seems to be only dry bones.

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Ezekiel appears in Heroes, Kings & Prophets of the Old Testament, alongside more profiles like this one.

Page #31 in Heroes, Kings & Prophets of the Old Testament

Heroes, Kings & Prophets of the Old Testament front cover

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