Ezekiel

This work completes Daniel Block's two-volume commentary on the book of Ezekiel. The result of twelve years of studying this difficult section of Scripture, this volume, like the one on chapters 1-24, provides an excellent discussion of the background of Ezekiel and offers a verse-by-verse exposition that makes clear the message of this obscure and often misunderstood prophet. Block also shows that Ezekiel's ancient wisdom and vision are still very much needed as we enter the twenty-first century.

Pastors and leaders of the classical church--such as Augustine, Calvin, Luther, and Wesley--interpreted the Bible theologically, believing Scripture as a whole witnessed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Modern interpreters of the Bible questioned this premise. But in recent decades, a critical mass of theologians and biblical scholars has begun to reassert the priority of a theological reading of Scripture. The Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible enlists leading theologians to read and interpret Scripture for the twenty-first century, just as the church fathers, the Reformers, and other orthodox Christians did for their times and places. In this addition to the series, esteemed theologian Robert W. Jenson presents a theological exegesis of Ezekiel.

This study analyses the book of Ezekiel as a tool of communication, arguing that the book was designed to shape the self-understanding of the exilic community. A discussion of the historical context precedes a chapter that deals with the basic thrust and literary arrangement of Ezekiel. A detailed examination of individual rhetorical techniques (use of the watchman motif, legal traditions, emotional language, and others) and of crucial passages (especially 24:15-27 and 37:1-14) follows. The final chapter explores the book's suitability for the situation for which it was designed. This work gives readers the opportunity to study the book of Ezekiel as a whole and to explore some of its intricacies. Its methodology is an example of the fruitful integration of traditional critical methods and more recent literary and sociological approaches. This publication has also been published in paperback, please click here for details.

How is Yahweh to be differentiated from other deities? What is Yahweh's relationship to Israel in exile?".

Appealing to Monster Theory and the ancient Near Eastern motif of "Chaoskampf," Safwat Marzouk argues that the paradoxical character of the category of the monster is what prompts the portrayal of Egypt as a monster in the book of Ezekiel. While on the surface the monster seems to embody utter difference, underlying its otherness there is a disturbing sameness. Though the monster may be defeated and its body dismembered, it is never completely annihilated. Egypt is portrayed as a monster in the book of Ezekiel because Egypt represents the threat of religious assimilation. Although initially the monstrosity of Egypt is constructed because of the shared elements of identity between Egypt and Israel, the prophet flips this imagery of monster in order to embody Egypt as a monstrous Other. In a combat myth, YHWH defeats the monster and dismembers its body. Despite its near annihilation, Egypt, in Ezekiel's rhetoric, is not entirely obliterated. Rather, it is kept at bay, hovering at the periphery, questioning Israel's identity.

Greek papyrus codex 967 (p967) manifests a different edition of Ezekiel from the Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT). This study defines and uses a "manuscript approach" to argue that p967 qualifies as a variant literary edition of Ezekiel. Methodologically, the approach is rooted in text-critical analysis, clarifies p967's textual significance, and shows that its text usually reflects the Old Greek translation and in many cases an early Hebrew edition of Ezekiel. The literary analysis of p967 and MT procedes according to sets of variants that participate in literary Tendenzen, adopting the principle of coherence found in Literaturkritik. In so doing, the literary analysis identifies the scope and literary character of p967 and MT's meaningful textual variants. Finally, the codicological analysis explores p967's manuscript as an historical and sociological artifact, focusing especially on what the paratextual marks reveal about the interpretive interests of a 3rd century CE community.

The book of Ezekiel proclaims God’s uncompromising judgment against his rebellious people—but also his promise of restoration if they repent. Exposing the depth of Israel’s disobedience, the prophet Ezekiel calls the nation to find forgiveness by turning away from their sin and back to God. Carefully explaining Ezekiel’s often confusing prophecies, this study guide will encourage readers to trust in the God who does not abandon his people but restores the repentant for his glory. Part of the Knowing the Bible series.

A study of the first half of the biblical book of Ezekiel with commentary on what his message could mean for the church in the twentieth century.