LOOKING FOR EZEKIEL

[JLG]

1. LOOKING FOR EZEKIEL

 

ISAIAH

When and where was it written? The book of Isaiah was written sometime during the ministry of Isaiah (approximately 740–701 B.C.). Since Isaiah's ministry was centered in Jerusalem, this is the most likely location of the book's origin.

 

JEREMIAH

Author: Jeremiah chapter 1, verse 1 identifies the Prophet Jeremiah as the author of the Book of Jeremiah. Date of Writing: The Book of Jeremiah was written between 630 and 580 B.C. Purpose of Writing: The Book of Jeremiah records the final prophecies to Judah, warning of oncoming destruction if the nation does not repent.

 

EZEKIEL

The book of Ezekiel was written during Ezekiel's captivity in Babylon. He prophesied from about 592 to 570 B.C.  After being taken captive, Ezekiel settled with other Jews in a place called Tel Abib on the Chebar River (see Ezekiel 1:1–3.

 

587 BCE

FIRST DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM

On Tisha B'Av, 25 August 587 BCE or 18 July 586 BCE, the Babylonians took Jerusalem, destroyed the First Temple and burned down the city.

 

165 BCE

Daniel is actually a figure from the Babylonian exile. In fact, he spends his entire life in Babylon. But the Book of Daniel attributed to him is actually written during the Maccabean revolt. Most scholars would say it's written about the year 165 BCE.

 

Ezekiel 1:1

 

In the thirtieth

בִּשְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים (biš·lō·šîm)

Preposition-b | Number - common plural

Strong's 7970: Thirty, thirtieth

 

year,

שָׁנָ֗ה (šā·nāh)

Noun - feminine singular

Strong's 8141: A year

 

in the fourth month,

בָּֽרְבִיעִי֙ (bā·rə·ḇî·‘î)

Preposition-b, Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular

Strong's 7243: Fourth, a fourth

 

on the fifth

בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֣ה (ba·ḥă·miš·šāh)

Preposition-b, Article | Number - masculine singular

Strong's 2568: Five

 

day,

לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ (la·ḥō·ḏeš)

Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month

 

while I

וַאֲנִ֥י (wa·’ă·nî)

Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular

Strong's 589: I

 

was among

בְתֽוֹךְ־ (ḇə·ṯō·wḵ-)

Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct

Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

 

the exiles

הַגּוֹלָ֖ה (hag·gō·w·lāh)

Article | Noun - feminine singular

Strong's 1473: Exile, exiles

 

by

עַל־ (‘al-)

Preposition

Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

 

the River

נְהַר־ (nə·har-)

Noun - masculine singular construct

Strong's 5104: A stream, prosperity

 

Kebar,

כְּבָ֑ר (kə·ḇār)

Noun - proper - feminine singular

Strong's 3529: Chebar -- a river of Babylon

 

the heavens

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)

Article | Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

 

opened

נִפְתְּחוּ֙ (nip̄·tə·ḥū)

Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural

Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

 

and I saw

וָאֶרְאֶ֖ה (wā·’er·’eh)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular

Strong's 7200: To see

 

visions

מַרְא֥וֹת (mar·’ō·wṯ)

Noun - feminine plural construct

Strong's 4759: A vision, a mirror

 

of God.

אֱלֹהִֽים׃ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)

Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

 

• Ezekiel is among the exiles in Babylon!

• He sees visions of God!

• Quite similar to Daniel!

 

[JLG]

 

2. LOOKING FOR EZEKIEL

 

Ezekiel 1:2

 

On the fifth

בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה (ba·ḥă·miš·šāh)

Preposition-b, Article | Number - masculine singular

Strong's 2568: Five

 

day of the month—

לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ (la·ḥō·ḏeš)

Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month

 

it

הִ֚יא (hî)

Pronoun - third person feminine singular

Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

 

was the fifth

הַחֲמִישִׁ֔ית (ha·ḥă·mî·šîṯ)

Article | Number - ordinal feminine singular

Strong's 2549: Fifth, a fifth

 

year

הַשָּׁנָ֣ה (haš·šā·nāh)

Article | Noun - feminine singular

Strong's 8141: A year

 

of the exile

לְגָל֖וּת (lə·ḡā·lūṯ)

Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct

Strong's 1546: Captivity, exiles

 

of King

הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)

Article | Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 4428: A king

 

Jehoiachin—

יוֹיָכִֽין׃ (yō·w·yā·ḵîn)

Noun - proper - masculine singular

Strong's 3112: Jehoiachin 

 

Jehoiachin, also spelled Joachin, Hebrew Joiachin, in the Old Testament (II Kings 24), son of King Jehoiakim and king of Judah. He came to the throne at the age of 18 in the midst of the Chaldean invasion of Judah and reigned for three months. He was forced to surrender to Nebuchadrezzar II and was taken to Babylon (597 BC), along with 10,000 of his subjects. Nearly 40 years later Nebuchadrezzar died, and his successor released Jehoiachin.

 

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jehoiachin

 

 

[JLG]

3) LOOKING FOR EZEKIEL

 

Ezekiel 1:3

 

the word

דְבַר־ (ḏə·ḇar-)

Noun - masculine singular construct

Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

 

of the LORD

יְ֠הוָה (Yah·weh)

Noun - proper - masculine singular

Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

 

came

הָיֹ֣ה (hā·yōh)

Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute

Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

 

directly

הָיָ֣ה (hā·yāh)

Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular

Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

 

to

אֶל־ (’el-)

Preposition

Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

 

Ezekiel

יְחֶזְקֵ֨אל (yə·ḥez·qêl)

Noun - proper - masculine singular

Strong's 3168: Ezekiel -- 'God strengthens', two Israelites

 

the priest,

הַכֹּהֵ֛ן (hak·kō·hên)

Article | Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 3548: Priest

 

the son

בֶּן־ (ben-)

Noun - masculine singular construct

Strong's 1121: A son

 

of Buzi,

בּוּזִ֧י (bū·zî)

Noun - proper - masculine singular

Strong's 941: Buzi -- the father of Ezekiel

 

in the land

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)

Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct

Strong's 776: Earth, land

 

of the Chaldeans

כַּשְׂדִּ֖ים (kaś·dîm)

Noun - proper - masculine plural

Strong's 3778: Chaldeans -- a region of southern Babylon and its inhab

 

by

עַל־ (‘al-)

Preposition

Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

 

the Kebar

כְּבָ֑ר (kə·ḇār)

Noun - proper - feminine singular

Strong's 3529: Chebar -- a river of Babylon

 

River.

נְהַר־ (nə·har-)

Noun - masculine singular construct

Strong's 5104: A stream, prosperity

 

And there

שָׁ֖ם (šām)

Adverb

Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

 

the LORD’s

יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)

Noun - proper - masculine singular

Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

 

hand

יַד־ (yaḏ-)

Noun - feminine singular construct

Strong's 3027: A hand

 

was

וַתְּהִ֥י (wat·tə·hî)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular

Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

 

upon him.

עָלָ֛יו (‘ā·lāw)

Preposition | third person masculine singular

Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

 

• Ezekiel is a priest!

• His father is Buzi!

• He is in Babylon!

• By the Kebar river!

• And God is with him!

• We find 7 times this expression in the Book of Ezekiel!

• Once in 1 Kings!

• Once in 2 Kings!

• Twice in 1 Chronicles!

• Once in Psalms!

• Once in Luke!

• 6 times in Ezra!

• Twice in Nehemia!

• Once in Exodus!

• Once in Daniel!

• Once in 1 Peter!

 

https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God~s-Hands-On-People

 

The Kebar or Chebar Canal (or River) is the setting of several important scenes of the Book of Ezekiel, including the opening verses. The book refers to this river eight times in total.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Abib

 

[JLG]

4) LOOKING FOR EZEKIEL

 

Ezekiel 1:4

 

I looked

וָאֵ֡רֶא (wā·’ê·re)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular

Strong's 7200: To see

 

and saw

וְהִנֵּה֩ (wə·hin·nêh)

Conjunctive waw | Interjection

Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

 

a whirlwind

ר֨וּחַ (rū·aḥ)

Noun - common singular construct

Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

 

coming

בָּאָ֣ה (bā·’āh)

Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular

Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

 

from

מִן־ (min-)

Preposition

Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

 

the north,

הַצָּפ֗וֹן (haṣ·ṣā·p̄ō·wn)

Article | Noun - feminine singular

Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter

 

a great

גָּדוֹל֙ (gā·ḏō·wl)

Adjective - masculine singular

Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

 

cloud

עָנָ֤ן (‘ā·nān)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 6051: A cloud, the nimbus, thunder-cloud

 

with fire

וְאֵ֣שׁ (wə·’êš)

Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular

Strong's 784: A fire

 

flashing back and forth

מִתְלַקַּ֔חַת (miṯ·laq·qa·ḥaṯ)

Verb - Hitpael - Participle - feminine singular

Strong's 3947: To take

 

and brilliant light

וְנֹ֥גַֽהּ (wə·nō·ḡah)

Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular

Strong's 5051: Brilliancy

 

all around it.

סָבִ֑יב (sā·ḇîḇ)

Adverb

Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

 

In the center

וּמִ֨תּוֹכָ֔הּ (ū·mit·tō·w·ḵāh)

Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular

Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

 

of the fire

הָאֵֽשׁ׃ (hā·’êš)

Article | Noun - common singular

Strong's 784: A fire

 

was a glow

כְּעֵ֥ין (kə·‘ên)

Preposition-k | Noun - common singular construct

Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

 

like amber,

הַחַשְׁמַ֖ל (ha·ḥaš·mal)

Article | Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 2830: Bronze, polished spectrum metal

 

• A whirlwind!

• A great cloud with fire

• Brilliant light!

• A glow like amber!

• Thus it can only be a vision!

• Something exceptional!

 

[JLG]

5) LOOKING FOR EZEKIEL

 

Ezekiel 1:5

 

and within it

וּמִ֨תּוֹכָ֔הּ (ū·mit·tō·w·ḵāh)

Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular

Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

 

[was] the form

דְּמ֖וּת (də·mūṯ)

Noun - feminine singular construct

Strong's 1823: Resemblance, model, shape, like

 

of four

אַרְבַּ֣ע (’ar·ba‘)

Number - feminine singular

Strong's 702: Four

 

living creatures.

חַיּ֑וֹת (ḥay·yō·wṯ)

Noun - feminine plural

Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

 

And this [was]

וְזֶה֙ (wə·zeh)

Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - masculine singular

Strong's 2088: This, that

 

their appearance:

מַרְאֵֽיהֶ֔ן (mar·’ê·hen)

Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine plural

Strong's 4758: Sight, appearance, vision

 

They had

לָהֵֽנָּה׃ (lā·hên·nāh)

Preposition-l | Pronoun - third person feminine plural

Strong's 2007: Themselves

 

a human

אָדָ֖ם (’ā·ḏām)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

 

form,

דְּמ֥וּת (də·mūṯ)

Noun - feminine singular construct

Strong's 1823: Resemblance, model, shape, like

 

• We get 4 living creatures!

• With a human form!

• Before seeing the rest we can imagine they are not human!

• Only a human form

[JLG]

6) LOOKING FOR EZEKIEL

 

Ezekiel 1:6

 

but each

לְאֶחָ֑ת (lə·’e·ḥāṯ)

Preposition-l | Number - feminine singular

Strong's 259: United, one, first

 

had four

וְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה (wə·’ar·bā·‘āh)

Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular

Strong's 702: Four

 

faces

פָנִ֖ים (p̄ā·nîm)

Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 6440: The face

 

and four

וְאַרְבַּ֥ע (wə·’ar·ba‘)

Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular

Strong's 702: Four

 

wings.

כְּנָפַ֖יִם (kə·nā·p̄a·yim)

Noun - fd

Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle

• Here we get something new!

• They have 4 faces and 4 wings!

• It is similar to Daniel’s vision in Daniel chapter 7!

• There we are told about 4 huge beasts coming from the sea!

• But they are all different!

• There is a lion with wings!

• There is a bear with three ribs in its mouth!

• There is a leopard with four wings and four heads!

• And the fourth one is fearsome and terrifying and unusually strong with large iron teeth!

• And it is devouring and crushing!

• And it has ten horns and another one comes up among them!

• A small one and three are plucked up from before it!

• And the small horn has eyes like human eyes and there is a mouth speaking arrogantly!

[JLG]

7)

1. LOOKING FOR EZEKIEL

 

Ezekiel 1:7

 

Their legs

וְרַגְלֵיהֶ֖ם (wə·raḡ·lê·hem)

Conjunctive waw | Noun - fdc | third person masculine plural

Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

 

were straight,

יְשָׁרָ֑ה (yə·šā·rāh)

Adjective - feminine singular

Strong's 3477: Straight, right

 

and the soles

וְכַ֣ף (wə·ḵap̄)

Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct

Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan

 

of their feet

רֶ֣גֶל (re·ḡel)

Noun - feminine singular

Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

 

were like the hooves

כְּכַף֙ (kə·ḵap̄)

 

Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct

Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan

 

of a calf,

עֵ֔גֶל (‘ê·ḡel)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 5695: A, calf, one nearly grown

 

gleaming

וְנֹ֣צְצִ֔ים (wə·nō·ṣə·ṣîm)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural

Strong's 5340: To glare, be bright-colored

 

like

כְּעֵ֖ין (kə·‘ên)

Preposition-k | Noun - common singular construct

Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

 

polished

קָלָֽל׃ (qā·lāl)

Adjective - masculine singular

Strong's 7044: Brightened

 

bronze.

נְחֹ֥שֶׁת (nə·ḥō·šeṯ)

Noun - feminine singular

Strong's 5178: Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base

 

• But here the details are different!

• They have straight legs!

• The soles of their feet are like the hooves of a calf!

• And they are gleaming like polished bronze!

 

[JLG]

8) LOOKING FOR EZEKIEL

 

Ezekiel 1:8

 

Under

מִתַּ֙חַת֙ (mit·ta·ḥaṯ)

Preposition-m

Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

 

their wings

כַּנְפֵיהֶ֔ם (kan·p̄ê·hem)

Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural

Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle

 

on

עַ֖ל (‘al)

Preposition

Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

 

their four

אַרְבַּ֣עַת (’ar·ba·‘aṯ)

Number - masculine singular construct

Strong's 702: Four

 

sides

רִבְעֵיהֶ֑ם (riḇ·‘ê·hem)

Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural

Strong's 7253: Fourth part, four sides

 

they had human

אָדָ֗ם (’ā·ḏām)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

 

hands.

וִידֵ֣י (wî·ḏê)

Conjunctive waw | Noun - fdc

Strong's 3027: A hand

 

All four

לְאַרְבַּעְתָּֽם׃ (lə·’ar·ba‘·tām)

Preposition-l | Number - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural

Strong's 702: Four

 

of them had faces

וּפְנֵיהֶ֥ם (ū·p̄ə·nê·hem)

Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural

Strong's 6440: The face

 

and wings,

וְכַנְפֵיהֶ֖ם (wə·ḵan·p̄ê·hem)

Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural

Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle

 

• How different it is!

• They have human hands under their wings!

• And they have faces and wings!

• Thus faces and wings and legs and hands

[JLG]

9) LOOKING FOR EZEKIEL

 

Ezekiel 1:9

 

and their wings

כַּנְפֵיהֶ֑ם (kan·p̄ê·hem)

Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural

Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle

 

were touching

חֹֽבְרֹ֛ת (ḥō·ḇə·rōṯ)

Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural

Strong's 2266: To unite, be joined, to tie a magic knot or spell, to charm

 

one

אֶל־ (’el-)

Preposition

Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

 

another.

אֲחוֹתָ֖הּ (’ă·ḥō·w·ṯāh)

Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular

Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister

 

They did not

לֹא־ (lō-)

Adverb - Negative particle

Strong's 3808: Not, no

 

turn

יִסַּ֣בּוּ (yis·sab·bū)

Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural

Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

 

as they moved;

בְלֶכְתָּ֔ן (ḇə·leḵ·tān)

Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine plural

Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

 

each

אִ֛ישׁ (’îš)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

 

one went

יֵלֵֽכוּ׃ (yê·lê·ḵū)

Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural

Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

 

straight

עֵ֥בֶר (‘ê·ḇer)

Noun - masculine singular construct

Strong's 5676: A region across, on the opposite side

 

ahead.

פָּנָ֖יו (pā·nāw)

Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular

Strong's 6440: The face

 

• Their wings are touching one another!

• Thus there is a connection between them

• And each one goes straight ahead!

• But they seem to be independent!

 

[JLG]

10) LOOKING FOR EZEKIEL

 

Ezekiel 1:10

 

The form

וּדְמ֣וּת (ū·ḏə·mūṯ)

Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct

Strong's 1823: Resemblance, model, shape, like

 

of their faces

פְּנֵיהֶם֮ (pə·nê·hem)

Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural

Strong's 6440: The face

 

was that

פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)

Noun - common plural construct

Strong's 6440: The face

 

of a man,

אָדָם֒ (’ā·ḏām)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

 

and each of the four

לְאַרְבַּעְתָּ֔ם (lə·’ar·ba‘·tām)

Preposition-l | Number - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural

Strong's 702: Four

 

had the face

וּפְנֵ֨י (ū·p̄ə·nê)

Conjunctive waw | Noun - common plural construct

Strong's 6440: The face

 

of a lion

אַרְיֵ֤ה (’ar·yêh)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 738: A lion

 

on

אֶל־ (’el-)

Preposition

Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

 

the right side,

הַיָּמִין֙ (hay·yā·mîn)

Article | Noun - feminine singular

Strong's 3225: The right hand, side, the south

 

the face

וּפְנֵי־ (ū·p̄ə·nê-)

Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct

Strong's 6440: The face

 

of an ox

שׁ֥וֹר (šō·wr)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

 

on the left side,

מֵֽהַשְּׂמֹ֖אול (mê·haś·śə·mō·wl)

Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 8040: Dark, the north, the left hand

 

and also

לְאַרְבַּעְתָּ֑ן (lə·’ar·ba‘·tān)

Preposition-l | Number - masculine singular construct | third person feminine plural

Strong's 702: Four

 

the face

וּפְנֵי־ (ū·p̄ə·nê-)

Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct

Strong's 6440: The face

 

of an eagle.

נֶ֖שֶׁר (ne·šer)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 5404: The eagle

 

• Each one has four different heads!

• One with the face of a man!

• One with the face of a lion!

• One with the face of an ox!

• One with the face of an eagle!