Explaining Ezekiel’s Enigmatic Muteness

Abstract

This dissertation explains the nature and significance of the prophet Ezekiel’s muteness as mentioned in Ezekiel 3:22–27, 24:25–27, and 33:21–22. It addresses the paradox of Ezekiel prophesying in verbal address and apparent reproof (see for example Ezek 11:13, 25; 13–14; 20; 24:18, 20) despite YHWH barring him from speech and from being some sort of “reprover” toward Israel (אִישׁ מוֹכִיחַ; Ezek 3:26) until his release (Ezek 33:22). It also explicates the sign function of Ezekiel’s muteness (מוֹפֵת; Ezek 24:27). I contend that Ezekiel’s muteness was a divinely imposed, literal silencing that precluded informal speech and a reproving lifestyle toward exilic Israel despite their rebelliousness. Yet, because of the exiles’ recalcitrance, his muteness also enabled prophetic speech at YHWH’s decree. Moreover, Ezekiel’s muteness and return to ordinary talking signified the exiles’ proper speech conduct of silence toward YHWH while under judgment and a renewed freedom to speak with YHWH once judgment had passed over.

I argue this thesis first by introducing in chapter 1 the texts citing his muteness from the book of Ezekiel and the enigma that they set up in relation to the whole book. In chapter 2, I assess approaches from the history of interpretation used to explain this enigma of Ezekiel’s muteness along with how they impact the interpretation of the book of Ezekiel. In chapter 3, I contextualize Ezekiel’s muteness by considering the experiences of other socially integrated prophets, such as Moses, Nathan, and Jeremiah, and especially with those claiming a speech problem, including Moses and Jeremiah. In chapter 4, I thoroughly examine Ezekiel’s muteness, including a broad look at his mute prophetic conditions and a passage-by-passage exegesis of the texts citing his muteness in order of their occurrence. Herein, I identify the various aspects of Ezekiel’s muteness that, when considered together, constitute my explanation for his muteness. I then show that Ezekiel’s communications before, during, and after his speechlessness as noted in the book of Ezekiel substantiate my explanation of his muteness. In chapter 5, I describe several inferences stemming from this understanding of Ezekiel’s muteness. Namely, YHWH intended Ezekiel’s muteness as part of a program of prophetic enablement that ensured Ezekiel would fulfill his commission. Also, YHWH meant the muteness as a divine mercy to the exiles, for it would facilitate prompting their repentance and so make eligible YHWH’s covenant restoration. Furthermore, Ezekiel as a muted prophet stands in succession with prophets who received divine enablement, especially for a speech problem, and with prophets who suffered for their vocation.