Cut through the mystery and confusion of Ezekiel 1--24! Blocks extensive introduction details the authorship, dates, historical setting, original text, and more about this misunderstood book of the Bible. And his fresh English translation and verse-by-verse commentary demonstrate how Ezekiels message is still relevant today. Part of the New International Commentary on the Old Testament.
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34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
A commentary that does not skim over texts, but goes into detail of each verse (1,400 pages for the two volumes). The two volumes have been my companion now for several months in my morning Bible study, and will be for a few months more.
Though the detail of Hebrew words is gone into, it is done in such a way that the non-Hebrew-scholar can understand. And the "Theological implications" sections at the end of each portion are a mine of spiritual treasures.
Though I am possibly not well placed as a layman to judge, for me it is THE study on Ezechiel to study.
Though the detail of Hebrew words is gone into, it is done in such a way that the non-Hebrew-scholar can understand. And the "Theological implications" sections at the end of each portion are a mine of spiritual treasures.
Though I am possibly not well placed as a layman to judge, for me it is THE study on Ezechiel to study.
24 of 56 people found the following review helpful
I've worked through the first twenty or so chapters of this commentary alongside those of Zimmerli (Hermeneia series) and Leslie Allen (WBC series).
In my opinion, Block's commentary does not match up well with either commentator. He consistently reads the text synchronically, displaying no awareness of how the book was updated over time to make it relevant for new audiences.
For example, in his discussion of chapter 3, Block fails to account for the inconsistency in vv. 16-21 when compared to v. 27. In the former, the people seem to have an opportunity to repent, while in verse 27 Ezekiel's preexilic message is seen to be one of judgment.
This seeming inconsistency is best explained by arguing that Ez. 3:16-21 is an insertion of a later message of Ezekiel's that updates the book.
In other words, the promised judgment has come, and a new message-- the one that characterizes chapters 33ff.-- is now given to the people. This new message of one of hope, but in this hope the people need to remember that God's former message of judgment is still relevant, in so far as his expectations are the same.
This may seem like a minor point, but the view one takes on this strongly influences the interpretation and application of the book.
The other problem I have with Bock's commentary is that when given the choice of two interpretive possibilities, he often seems to take the wrong one. I consistently found Allen to be the more convincing interpreter.
The greatest strength of Bock's commentary is the section on theological reflections with which he concludes each section. It is for this alone that I have kept his commentaries, after going back and forth several times on whether or not to keep them.
However, Allen also displays theological sensitivity throughout, and if I were to preach through the book I believe Allen's commentary would generally be adequate.
Zimmerli's 2 volume commentary set was an instant classic in the field, and is worth owning. He, too, displays theological sensitivity. The main drawback of his work is that he tends to consider later redactional activity, like the example above, to be unimportant and delete it as unnecessary.
In order, I would buy Allen, Zimmerli, Block, Hals (Forms of Old Testament Literature series), Greenberg (Anchor Bible Commentary), and Blenkinsopp (Interpretation).
In my opinion, Block's commentary does not match up well with either commentator. He consistently reads the text synchronically, displaying no awareness of how the book was updated over time to make it relevant for new audiences.
For example, in his discussion of chapter 3, Block fails to account for the inconsistency in vv. 16-21 when compared to v. 27. In the former, the people seem to have an opportunity to repent, while in verse 27 Ezekiel's preexilic message is seen to be one of judgment.
This seeming inconsistency is best explained by arguing that Ez. 3:16-21 is an insertion of a later message of Ezekiel's that updates the book.
In other words, the promised judgment has come, and a new message-- the one that characterizes chapters 33ff.-- is now given to the people. This new message of one of hope, but in this hope the people need to remember that God's former message of judgment is still relevant, in so far as his expectations are the same.
This may seem like a minor point, but the view one takes on this strongly influences the interpretation and application of the book.
The other problem I have with Bock's commentary is that when given the choice of two interpretive possibilities, he often seems to take the wrong one. I consistently found Allen to be the more convincing interpreter.
The greatest strength of Bock's commentary is the section on theological reflections with which he concludes each section. It is for this alone that I have kept his commentaries, after going back and forth several times on whether or not to keep them.
However, Allen also displays theological sensitivity throughout, and if I were to preach through the book I believe Allen's commentary would generally be adequate.
Zimmerli's 2 volume commentary set was an instant classic in the field, and is worth owning. He, too, displays theological sensitivity. The main drawback of his work is that he tends to consider later redactional activity, like the example above, to be unimportant and delete it as unnecessary.
In order, I would buy Allen, Zimmerli, Block, Hals (Forms of Old Testament Literature series), Greenberg (Anchor Bible Commentary), and Blenkinsopp (Interpretation).
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Ezekiel was born into a turbulent world. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
signatory formula, first commissioning speech, rebellious household, resumptive exposition, outrageous statue, hapax form, concluding recognition formula, second fem, disputation address, citation formula, many delete, cultic abominations, disputation speech, exilic audience, twofold occurrence, secondary gloss, inaugural vision, cultic offenses, parallel cola, infinitive construct, prophetic proof, temple vision, covenant curses, present idiom, cultic installations Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Lord Yahweh, Old Testament, New York, Near Eastern, Grand Rapids, Kein Aufstand, Scholars Press, Akkadian Influences, Swallowing the Scroll, Divine Initiative, God of Israel, Prophet Confronts His People, Alten Testament, Pontifical Biblical Institute, John Knox, Winona Lake, Linguistic Study, Bene Ammon, Seeking Ezekiel, Congress Volume, Structural Studies, Art of Warfare, Garden City, Spirit of God, Biblical Interpretation New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Ezekiel was born into a turbulent world. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
signatory formula, first commissioning speech, rebellious household, resumptive exposition, outrageous statue, hapax form, concluding recognition formula, second fem, disputation address, citation formula, many delete, cultic abominations, disputation speech, exilic audience, twofold occurrence, secondary gloss, inaugural vision, cultic offenses, parallel cola, infinitive construct, prophetic proof, temple vision, covenant curses, present idiom, cultic installations Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Lord Yahweh, Old Testament, New York, Near Eastern, Grand Rapids, Kein Aufstand, Scholars Press, Akkadian Influences, Swallowing the Scroll, Divine Initiative, God of Israel, Prophet Confronts His People, Alten Testament, Pontifical Biblical Institute, John Knox, Winona Lake, Linguistic Study, Bene Ammon, Seeking Ezekiel, Congress Volume, Structural Studies, Art of Warfare, Garden City, Spirit of God, Biblical Interpretation New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
7
books
cite this book:
See all 7 books citing this book
- Marriage and Family in the Biblical World by Ken M. Campbell in Back Matter
- The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton in Front Matter
- Biblical Theology: Retrospect & Prospect by Scott J. Hafemann on page 61
- Grasping God's Word by J. Scott Duvall in Back Matter
- Biblical Hermeneutics by Bruce Corley in Back Matter
See all 7 books citing this book
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