Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 181:724 (Oct 2024)
Article: Echoes Of Scripture In Τhe Prophecy Of Ezekiel
Author: Kenneth E. Guenter

BSac 181:724 (October-December 2024) p. 408

Echoes Of Scripture In Τhe Prophecy Of Ezekiel

Kenneth E. Guenter

Kenneth E. Guenter is Associate Professor of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern History at Briercrest College, Caronport, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Abstract

Ezekiel systematically echoed YHWH’s covenant promises to restore Israel (Lev 26:40–45; Deut 4:29–31; 30:1–10; 32:35–43). Without citing or quoting Moses, Ezekiel reiterated his ideas, using fresh terms and figures of speech, reusing Hebrew roots, and repeating key words and syntactic rhythms. Although current studies rarely recognize Ezekiel’s reiteration of restoration promises, the volume of his echoes indicates that he intentionally envisioned Israel’s ultimate redemption through the lens of the Mosaic restoration.

An earlier article identified some one hundred echoes of Deuteronomy 30:1–10 in Jeremiah’s predictions of Israel’s restoration.1 The present article shows how Ezekiel echoed those same promises as well as the restoration promises from Leviticus 26:40–45; Deuteronomy 4:29–31; and 32:34–43. This collection of promises is here called the Mosaic restoration. By demonstrating how extensively Ezekiel reiterated, either literally or allusively, what YHWH had promised in his covenants, this article affirms the Mosaic restoration’s culminating role in YHWH’s covenant with Israel.

Schnittjer’s book-by-book survey, Old Testament Use of Old Testament, is a long-awaited and invaluable resource.2 Its careful consideration of current scholarship provides a sturdy benchmark to which the present proposal may be compared. To the degree that

BSac 181:724 (October-December 2024) p. 409

his study is representative of current evangelical scholarship, it suggests Ezekiel’s echoes of restoration have rarely been noticed.

Even before Israel acquired its lands, YHWH had foretold in his covenant how the Israelites would be plundered and lost, but then in a distant time their king would arise and they would return to their lands (Gen 49:10–12; Lev 26:40–45;