Ezekiel is a priest, the son of Buzi. In addition to being a priest, he’s also a prophet. He lives in Babylon in exile, the result of King Nebuchadnezzar conquering Judah and deporting most of its people.
The entire book of Ezekiel is about him and by him, but aside from headings added to the Bible, Ezekiel’s name only appears twice in his book and nowhere else in all of Scripture. This is because Ezekiel writes in the first person, often using the pronouns I and me. This makes his writing more personal and accessible.
Instead of using his given name, God often calls Ezekiel “son of man,” which occurs ninety-three times in the book of Ezekiel.
This nickname may serve to remind Ezekiel of his humanity, despite being in the priestly line and a prophet of God. Although every one of God’s priests, prophets, and servants would be in the same situation, God rarely calls anyone else son of man.
As such, we can see son of man as a name of affection that God gives his priest-turned-prophet. This suggests a close relationship between God and Ezekiel.
Ezekiel, as son of man, foreshadows Jesus arriving on earth as the Son of Man, an even greater affirmation of his close connection with God. Father God sends his son, the Son of Man, to earth to die for us and save us.
If God has a special nickname for us, what might it be? Do we have a close relationship with God, like Ezekiel?
[Read Ezekiel’s story throughout the book of Ezekiel.]
Learn about more biblical characters in Old Testament Sinners and Saints, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Get your copy today.
A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.
