Ezekiel - Summary

Title:	This book is named for its author, the prophet Ezekiel.
Author:	Ezekiel, a Zadokite priest, is the writer of this book of visions he received from God.  The name "Ezekiel" means 'God Strengthens' or 'May God Strengthen'.
Date:	The timing of these prophecies begin approximately 593 BC, five years following the first of the exiles were deported from Judah to Babylone.  We also know there was a vision about 571 BC.  Therefore, the writing of this book had to take place during this time period or shortly thereafter.
Main Theme	Ezekiel is concerned with the holiness of the people of Israel, or rather the lack there-of.  He reminds the people what the penalty of being isobededient to God, and especially the evils that have occurred in the Temple itself.  The loss of the presence of God from the temple then the destruction of the temple itself is a message to the people of their separation from God.  But God promises restoration of the people to the land, restoration of the people to himelf, a rebuiding of the Temple and the return of the presence of God in the New Temple.  Ezekiel not only makes reference to the restoration of Jerusalem after the exile, he also refers to the New Jerusalem of Revelation 21.
Location:	This writing is about Israel, Judah, Jerusalem and the people of God, but the writing is actually completed in the land of Babylon, in the land of the Chaldeans along the Chebar River/Canal.
History
Major Characters:	Ezekiel
	Oholah and Oholibah