Ezekiel's message of hope and restoration : redaction-critical study of Ezekiel 1-7

The first twenty-four chapters of the book of Ezekiel are characterised by vehement declarations of judgement. This observation leaves the impression that Ezekiel 1-7 is devoid of references to hope and restoration. However, there is a redactional stratum in this section that supplemented the texts with material that conveys restoration and hope for the future. In Ezekiel 1-7, many of these additions focus on priestly topics. The motif of restoration in the redactional material of Ezekiel 3-5 is expressed by the reinstatement of Ezekiel in his priestly role. This editorial emphasis on Ezekiel as priest in the redactional material suggests that the redaction was influenced by Zechariah 3, a text that depicts the reinstitution of the exiled Zadokite priesthood. Moreover, the redactional material of Ezekiel 6-7 drew inspiration from the Law of the Temple in Ezekiel 43-46, as the redactors sought to enhance Ezekiel's priestly role. The study provides new insights into how redactors, who may have been associated with the Zadokite priesthood, inserted the message of hope and restoration into the literary unit Ezekiel 1-7 during the post-exilic period. Contents 5 Acknowledgements 9 Abbreviations 11 1. Introduction 15 2 Ezekiel’s Call Narrative (Ezek 1:1–3:15) 53 3 Ezekiel’s Call to be a Watchman (Ezek 3:16–21) and his Call to Muteness (Ezek 3:22–27) 81 4 Ezekiel’s Sign-Acts 113 5 The Oracle against the Mountains of Israel 155 6 The Oracle concerning the End of the Land of Israel 182 7 The Reassertion of the Legitimacy of the Zadokite Priesthood in the Early Persian Period 209 8 The Relation between the Secondary Material in Ezekiel 6–7 and the Law of the Temple 233 9 Conclusion 259 Appendix A: The Relative Chronology of Ezek 3:22–27 and 37:1–14 267 Bibliography 273 Index of Scripture References 283 Index of Authors 295