Oracles of Destruction: The date formula in Ezekiel 20:1 is the first since 8:1; the next date in Ezekiel appears at 24:1. These dated oracles thus set chapters 20–24 apart. Still, we can find little if any formal unity here. Ezekiel 20–24 is a miscellaneous collection of various types of material, from historical recitation (20:1–26) to judgment oracle (21:25–27) to allegory (ch. 23). In many ways, this material reprises earlier images and themes (e.g., compare 22:23–31 with 7:23–27; and ch. 23 with ch. 16). But the various units within chapters 20–24 do all have a common theme: all deal with the inevitable destruction of Jerusalem.

For ease of reference, we will divide this material into four parts. First, we will discuss the historical recitation in 20:1–44. Next, we will consider the mi…