Echoes of the Book of Exodus in Ezekiel

Abstract

This article examines the thematic connections made between the book of Exodus and the book of Ezekiel. Both books emphasize the theme of knowing God through his divine acts. Other themes and motifs from Exodus found in Ezekiel, including the call narrative, divine encounters, captivity, signs, plagues, judgment, redemption, tabernacle/temple, are considered. Several parallels between Moses and Ezekiel are noted, raising the question of whether Ezekiel was understood as a second Moses figure; both were Levites who became prophets and leaders of God's people in a time of crisis. Finally, some of the implications of these connections for interpreting the book of Ezekiel are explored.