The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 25–48 (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament | NICOT)

by Daniel I. Block

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 1998

Overview

To many modern readers the prophecies of Ezekiel are a mystery. This commentary by Daniel Block—which completes his two-volume study of the whole book of Ezekiel—seeks to answer the questions that contemporary readers bring to the text by examining the language, the message, and the methods of this obscure and often misunderstood Hebrew prophet. The result of 12 years of study, 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 of each literary/prophetic unit in Ezekiel 25–48 that not only makes clear the prophet’s message to his original readers but also shows that Ezekiel’s ancient wisdom and vision are still very much needed by the church in the 21st century.

With Logos, the NICOT will integrate into the Passage Guide. Whenever you enter your passage and click go, results from the NICOT will appear on the text you’re studying. This gives you instant access to exactly what you’re looking for—in far less time than it would take you to walk over to the bookshelf and begin flipping through a print volume, let alone find the information you need.

Key Features

• Verse-by-verse commentary
• In-depth discussion of textual and critical matters

Contents

Top Highlights

“As developed here, the process by which Yahweh will fulfill his promise involves four discrete stages: He will reconnect the bones with sinews, cover the bones with flesh, overlay the flesh with skin, and infuse them with breath. The sequence involving bones, sinews, flesh, and skin reflects an understanding of anatomy available to anyone who had witnessed the slaughter of an animal;⁵⁹ it also reverses the decomposition process. The concluding recognition formula gives this segment the quality of a proof saying, highlighting that Yahweh’s goal in reviving these bones is not simply the biological-chemical reconstitution of the body or even the restoration of physical life. He desires spiritual revival: a new recognition of and relationship with himself.” (Page 376)

“The promised action is cast in simplest form: Yahweh will put breath into the bones, with their revivification as the stated goal. In spite of its simplicity, the use of the term rûaḥ creates ambiguity. The shift in meaning from v. 1 is obvious, but it is difficult to decide whether rûaḥ should be interpreted as ‘spirit’ or ‘breath.’ In any case, rûaḥ represents the divine animating force without which no life is possible (Judg. 15:19).⁵⁸ Only God, from whom all life derives (Eccl. 12:7), can revive these bones.” (Page 376)

“In the present context, the issue is not simply an external ceremonial cleansing accompanying the internal renewal described in vv. 26–27, but a wholesale cleansing from sin performed by Yahweh, a necessary precondition to normalizing the spiritual relationship between Yahweh and his people.” (Pages 354–355)

Praise for the Print Edition

A thorough, meticulous, and information-filled commentary. Readers will find here some of the best, and certainly the most extensive material on a biblical book that may well have particular appeal and relevance in our postmodern age.

—Elmer A. Martens, professor emeritus of Old Testament, Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary

Block considers his chief task to be the interpretation of the book of Ezekiel in its canonical form. His philological scrupulousness, which is grounded in familiarity with the latest scholarship, is matched by a concern for the theological issues raised by the book of Ezekiel and for its homiletic potential. Critical judgment and respect for Ezekiel’s sacred status are happily combined.

—Moshe Greenberg, former professor of biblical studies, Hebrew University, Jerusalem

Product Details

• Title: The New International Commentary on the Old Testament: The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 25–48
• Author: Daniel I. Block
• Series: New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT)
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 1998
• Pages: 849

About Daniel I. Block

Dr. Daniel Block, professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College, has been teaching God’s Word for more than 30 years.

It has been a special joy for Dr. Block to watch students, who often take introductory courses in Old Testament only because they are required to do so by the curriculum, suddenly awaken to the fact that the Old Testament is understandable and its message is both life-giving and relevant for modern, everyday life.

Dr. Block has published a number of books and essays in scholarly journals. The paradigm for his research and ministry is set by Ezra, as described in Ezra 7:10: he committed himself to the study the Torah of Yahweh, to put it into practice, and to teach his revealed will in Israel. This means constantly asking serious questions of the Scriptures: What does the text say? Why does the text say it like that? What did the text mean to the original audience? What does the text have to say to me today? In order to answer these questions, one needs to understand both the worlds out of which the biblical texts arose and the worlds in which modern people live.