Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
The thirtieth year must be reckoned from the Jubilee, as the Jews made this their standard of computation. This reading fits far better than dating from the book of the Law, which would be forced and obscure, and no later writers adopted it as their measure.
AI summary
This thirtieth year most likely refers to the reign of Nabopolassar, making it the twelfth year of the captivity and the twelfth of Nebuchadnezzar's reign. By this reckoning, Ezekiel began his prophecy in 593 before Christ, in the fifth year of Jeconiah's captivity.
AI summary
Ezekiel received these visions in the fifth year of Jehoiachin's captivity, the same time Jeremiah prophesied in Judah. God confirms His former word through new revelations: Jerusalem will be destroyed, the people tormented, yet the godly assured of deliverance and the city's restoration in Christ.
AI summary