Ezekiel was 25 years old when he was taken to Babylon in the second captivity in 597 BC. In this second deportation King Jehoiachin was also taken to Babylon where he would spend the rest of his life. Ezekiel was of a priestly family. Ezekiel’s book begins in the fifth year (April of 597 to July of 593) of his captivity in Babylon when he was 30 years old on July 5, 593 BC. Ezekiel will date all of his prophecies with his last dated prophecy being in 571 BC. Ezekiel’s ministry overlaps that of Jeremiah who prophesied in Jerusalem and Daniel who worked in Nebuchadnezzar’s court in Babylon.

Ezekiel lived by the Kebar River, or the “Kabaru Canal”, which is about 60 miles southeast of Babylon near the ancient city of Nippur (modern Nuffer). Ezekiel had settled by a river in a Jewish community who had likewise sought a place of continual cleansing being residence in an unclean foreign land. It is likely that Ezekiel was praying at the Kebar River outside his city when he is called into the office of a prophet when he receives and records his first vision

What Ezekiel sees in this vision is clearly identified by Ezekiel in these words:

“This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.” – Ezekiel 1:28

This appearance that Ezekiel saw can be compared with similar appearances of the Lord in his heavenly throne room in:

• Exodus 19
• 1 Kings 6
• Isaiah 6
• Daniel 10
• Revelation 4

The Holy Spirit was bestowed on some men in the
Old Testament so that
they might have skill and wisdom to serve:

1. Bezalel was filled with the Spirit for wisdom and understanding as a metal worker (Ex. 31:2-4; 35:31).

2. Skill is given for the making of Aaron’s garments (Ex28:3).

3. Special ability is given to the builders of Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 7:14; 2 Chronicles 2:14).

4. Joshua was given leadership ability (Numbers 27:18; Deuteronomy 34:9).

5. Daniel could interpret dreams and receive governmental authority because of the Spirit in him (Daniel 4:8; 5:11-14; 6:3).

6. Zerubbabel was able to build the temple by the Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).