Esegiël 33 as wentelpunt in die boek van Esegiël

Abstract

Ezekiel 33 as pivotal point in the book of Ezekiel. Many scholars regarded Ezekiel as the introduction to the last major part of the book (Ezk 33–48), with references to the first part of the book (Ezk 1–24). Ezekiel 33:1–20 made use, in diverse ways, of previous sections in the book, especially the sections dealing with the call of the prophet in Ezekiel 1–2, as well as Ezekiel 18, with its emphasis on the personal responsibility of the people of God. The proposal of this article was that the chapter served as a pivotal point in the final form of the book. On the one hand it summarised the message of the first part of the book, but it also prepared the people for the message of the final part of the book. The two oracles in Ezekiel 33:23–22 pointed to the circumstances of the people in Jerusalem, as well as that of the exiles, at the time of the fall of Jerusalem. These oracles and the emphasis on the personal responsibility of the people pointed to the message of salvation and restoration following in Ezekiel 34–48.