Die Grundschrift des Ezechielbuches und ihre Botschaft

Yoo Hong Min presents a new model for the origin of the Book of Ezekiel by reconstructing an original basic-text-version (Grundschrift). He employs compositional criticism to detect and explain what is probably the earliest composition found in the pericopes and throughout the book. Furthermore, focusing on the relevant passages, the author analyzes the literary revisions, editorial elements and intratextual as well as intertextual relationships within the Book of Ezekiel. The structural and linguistic elements which link individual texts and constitute a narrative context are also identified. On the basis of these results, the author determines the scope and structure of the basic-text-version and argues that this was written during Babylonian exile. The basic-text-version addressed the Israelites scattered in various countries of the Near East with its main intent being to overcome the spiritual and cultural crisis of faith in YHWH - which had been caused by the collapse of Judah and the resulting exile - and to establish a new foundation for the hope of a future with Israel's God YHWH. The argumentation of the basic-text-version is determined by a new theological understanding of history. Israel's existential crisis was a necessary part of its salvation history with YHWH: he was revealed as Israel's educator whose judgment was aimed at turning his rebellious people back to him and transforming them into God's true people.