Yehezkel's Prophetic Parables

Found 3 Search results

1. Yehezkel 15-16

   Matan Al Haperek

   Rabbi David Sabato

   Perek 15 begins a series of prophetic parables that concern the history of Jerusalem and its fate. The focus of perek 15 is a parable that compares the nation of Israel to a grapevine. This comparison is common in the Tanakh (see for example: the parable of the vineyard in Yeshayahu 5:7 and Tehillim 80:9), however, the comparison usually focuses on the grapes while the prophecy here mentions only the vine and not the fruit.

   The central theme of perek 16 is the parable of the foundling. The prophet recounts the history of the nation of Israel and its convoluted relationship with God with a dramatic, harsh and unique simile. The prophecy begins with a description of the creation of the nation that is compared to a foundling abandoned in a field at birth (3-5).  God then passes over her, takes her in, marries her and cares for her (6-14). However, her status and her beauty lead her to betray Him and to commit adultery with any available partner. She even gives them of the gifts that God has given her (16-34). As a punishment, God deprives her of all that He gave her, returns her to her position of origin and punishes her harshly (35-43). This harsh prophecy concludes with the promise of a renewal of the covenant between God and Israel (59-63). 

2. Yehezkel 17-18

   Matan Al Haperek

   Rabbi David Sabato

   In the prophecy in perek 17 Yehezkel uses parables from the world of plants and animals to describe the events at the end of the Kingdom of Judah: The exile of Yehoyachin, the crowning of Tzidkiyahu and his rebellion in Babylonia (1-10). In the continuation of the perek the prophet rebukes the Kingdom of Judah for breaking the covenant with Nevuchadnezzar (15-20) and foresees serious repercussions to the revolt of Tzidkiyahu against the king of Babylonia. The prophecy ends with words of consolation which tell of the return to Zion (22-24).

   The question of intergenerational reward and punishment disturbed the generation of the destruction, and created a feeling of despair and hopelessness because of the sins of the previous generaions. This prevented them from trying to correct their ways and repent. The parable here is rooted in folk sayings, and expresses the widespread perception among the people: "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?" (2).  The prophet counters this by saying: "Behold, all souls are Mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine; the soul that sins, it shall die." (4). The personal responsibility and free choice of each person are the fundamental principles which are the basis for this perek.  

3. Yehezkel 21-22

   Matan Al Haperek

   Rabbi David Sabato

   In perek 21 we have a number of prophecies which are difficult to understand, and the connection between them is unclear as well. The perek opens with the fire which will burn in the forest of the Negev (1-5) and proceeds to a prophecy about the sword which will come to the Land of Israel and Jerusalem (6-12). The next prophecy continues the description of the sword which symbolizes the Babylonian army, which will cut from the North to the South (23-32). The perek ends with taking vengeance on Israel's enemies who are happy at their misfortune- Bnei Ammon. This ending parallels the beginning of the perek giving a description of the sword and fire which will finish off Bnei Ammon (33-37).

   Along with the approaching destruction, comes the trial during which Jerusalem will be judged for all of its sins from time immemorial. Perek 22 is a harsh indictment against Jerusalem. It is divided into three parts: the first part (1-16) includes a detailed list of Jerusalem's different sins. The second part (17-22) describes the punishment- the destruction of the city - using imagery of silver smelting in a forge. In the third part (23-31) there is another detailed list of the sinners and sins committed in the city.