Here we analyze the Book of Ezekiel, focusing on its unified structure, rhetorical strategy, and profound debt to the Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) environment, particularly Mesopotamia. Key topics include interpreting Ezekiel's seemingly random visions and allegories through the interpretive lens of the ANE covenant lawsuit format and treaty curses. The overall scholarly consensus favors a Babylonian setting for the prophet, suggesting his exposure to Mesopotamian literature and artistic motifs influenced his use of rich, often bizarre symbolism (like the chariot-throne or composite creatures). The core of Ezekiel’s message addresses Judah’s covenant breaches and the resulting divine punishment, which aligns closely with curse lists found in biblical law and ANE treaties (e.g., temple abandonment, unburied dead, and public humiliation likened to adulteresses). The book is viewed as having a deliberate framework, shifting from chapters detailing judgment (curses enacted) to later chapters focusing on restoration (curses reversed), culminating in the victorious return of Yahweh’s glory to the reconstructed temple. This distinct style positions Ezekiel as a transitional figure between classical prophecy and later proto-apocalyptic literature.
Ezekiel__Covenants_&_Curses.mp4
1. Ezekiel: Beyond the Bizarre Visions
2. Ezekiel’s Visions of God’s Glory