The Book of Ezekiel
in a Nutshell

The Book of Ezekiel records the prophetic ministry of Ezekiel, a priest taken into Babylonian exile before the destruction of Jerusalem. While living among the exiles, Jehovah called him to deliver dramatic messages of judgment, symbolic acts, and vivid visions to confront the people’s sin and offer future hope. The book is structured around three main themes: the fall of Jerusalem, the judgment of the nations, and the eventual restoration of Israel.

In the opening chapters, Ezekiel has a powerful vision of Jehovah’s glory riding on a mobile throne, a sign that His presence is not confined to the temple. Ezekiel is commissioned as a watchman to warn Israel of their rebellion. Through striking symbolic acts, including lying on his side for hundreds of days and shaving his hair, he dramatizes the coming siege and fall of Jerusalem. These early messages stress that the exile is not a failure of Jehovah’s power, but the result of the people’s idolatry and corruption.

Chapters 8-11 include a shocking vision: Jehovah’s glory departs from the temple due to the people’s abominations. Yet even in judgment, Jehovah promises to give His people a new heart and a new spirit, removing their stubbornness and restoring true worship. After Jerusalem’s fall, Ezekiel turns to pronouncing judgment on surrounding nations who mocked or exploited Israel’s downfall.

The final section of the book turns to restoration. Jehovah promises to reunite Israel and Judah, cleanse them, and place a new Davidic shepherd over them. The famous vision of the valley of dry bones illustrates Israel’s national resurrection- Jehovah’s Spirit reviving His people. Chapters 40-48 contain a detailed vision of a new temple and a renewed land, where Jehovah’s glory returns and dwells permanently among His people. The book ends with the name of the city being changed to “Jehovah Is There.”

Ezekiel confronts the seriousness of sin and the holiness of Jehovah, but it also shines with hope. Despite judgment, Jehovah is determined to dwell with His people again. He promises inward renewal, national restoration, and a future where His presence is never removed.

JJ Bowks, ©CDMI

The Bible in a Nutshell Series

Hebrew Scriptures

(Old Testament Books)

Outline of the Book of Ezekiel

I. The Call and Commission of Ezekiel (1:1–3:27)A. Ezekiel's inaugural vision of Jehovah's glory – 1:1–28
B. Ezekiel's commission as a prophet – 2:1–3:11
C. Ezekiel's symbolic role and prophetic responsibility – 3:12–27

II. Prophecies of Judgment Against Judah and Jerusalem (4:1–24:27)

A. Symbolic signs of Jerusalem's siege – 4:1–5:17

The brick and siege scene – 4:1–3
Lying on his side: bearing the people’s guilt – 4:4–8
Eating defiled bread – 4:9–17
Hair divided by sword, fire, and wind – 5:1–17

B. Oracles of judgment and condemnation – 6:1–7:27

Judgment on idolatry in the mountains – 6:1–14
The end has come – 7:1–27

C. Vision of the defiled temple and God's departing glory – 8:1–11:25

Idolatry in the temple – 8:1–18
Executioners of Jerusalem – 9:1–11
Glory departs the temple – 10:1–22
Promise of restoration for the exiles – 11:1–25

D. Warnings and symbolic acts – 12:1–24:27

Exile portrayed by baggage and blindness – 12:1–16
False prophets condemned – 13:1–23
Idolatry in the heart – 14:1–11
The inescapability of judgment – 14:12–23
Parables of judgment – 15:1–17:24
a. The useless vine – 15:1–8
b. The unfaithful wife – 16:1–63
c. The sour grapes proverb – 18:1–32
d. The two eagles and the vine – 17:1–24
Lamentations and allegories – 19:1–21:32
The sins of Jerusalem listed – 22:1–31
Parables of two sisters: Oholah and Oholibah – 23:1–49
The boiling pot and Ezekiel’s silent mourning – 24:1–27

III. Prophecies Against Foreign Nations (25:1–32:32)

A. Against Ammon – 25:1–7
B. Against Moab – 25:8–11
C. Against Edom – 25:12–14
D. Against Philistia – 25:15–17
E. Against Tyre – 26:1–28:19

Prediction of Tyre’s fall – 26:1–21
Lamentation for Tyre – 27:1–36
Prophecy and lament for the king of Tyre – 28:1–19

F. Against Sidon – 28:20–26
G. Against Egypt – 29:1–32:32

Pharaoh compared to a sea monster – 29:1–16
Nebuchadnezzar’s role – 29:17–21
The day of Jehovah against Egypt – 30:1–19
The broken arms of Pharaoh – 30:20–26
The fall and lament of Egypt – 31:1–32:32

IV. Future Hope and Restoration (33:1–48:35)

A. Renewal of Ezekiel’s watchman role – 33:1–33
B. Condemnation of Israel’s unfaithful shepherds – 34:1–31
C. Judgment of Edom (Mount Seir) – 35:1–15
D. Restoration of the land and people – 36:1–38
E. Vision of the valley of dry bones – 37:1–28

Resurrection and national restoration – 37:1–14
Reunification under one king – 37:15–28

F. Gog and Magog: the final enemy – 38:1–39:29

Invasion and defeat of Gog – 38:1–39:20
Restoration reaffirmed – 39:21–29

V. Vision of the Restored Temple and Worship (40:1–48:35)

A. Vision of the new temple – 40:1–43:27

Temple measurements and structure – 40:1–42:20
Return of Jehovah's glory – 43:1–12
Altar and regulations – 43:13–27

B. Temple worship and priesthood restored – 44:1–46:24

1. Duties of the priests and Levites – 44:1–31
2. Roles of the prince – 45:1–46:24

C. The life-giving river from the temple – 47:1–12
D. Allotment of the land to the tribes – 47:13–48:29
E. The city and its new name: Jehovah-Shammah ("Jehovah is there") – 48:30–35