Where is Ezekiel

This blog post is a reflection on the location of Ezekiel. As I was reading through the first few chapters of the book, I began to wonder, where exactly was Ezekiel? We see that God gives him several visions: in some, he appears to be in Jerusalem, while in others, the text clearly says he is among the exiles in Babylon.

Because of this, I wanted to take some time to review and reflect on where Ezekiel was during these events. My hope is that the information and thoughts I share in this post will be helpful to you as well, and encourage your own reflection on these chapters in Ezekiel.

Summary of Ezekiel’s Physical Location (Ch. 1–15)

Primary location: Among the exiles by the River Chebar, near Tel Abib, in Babylon (modern day Iraq)

Visions: Shown scenes in Jerusalem, but these are spiritual visions, not physical relocations, I believe.

Audience: His fellow Jewish exiles in Babylon (not those still in Judah, Jeremiah was his contemporary, the prophet sent to prophesy to the people in Judah).

Chapter	Approx. Setting	Description
1	By the River Chebar, in Babylon	Ezekiel receives his first vision — the “glory of the LORD” in a storm-wind and chariot-throne. He explicitly states: “I was among the exiles by the River Chebar…” (1:1–3).
2–3	Still at Chebar / Tel Abib	God commissions Ezekiel as a prophet to Israel. He sits “astonished among the exiles at Tel Abib” for seven days (3:15).
4–7	Ezekiel’s house in exile (Babylon)	Performs symbolic acts (brick of Jerusalem, lying on his side, eating rationed food). All done in his house among the exiles (4:1; 8:1 refers back to this).
8–11	In his house in Babylon → Spiritually transported to Jerusalem (vision)	While elders sit before him (8:1), Ezekiel sees a vision of Jerusalem’s temple and the departure of God’s glory. He is physically still in Babylon but sees Jerusalem in vision.
12	Back in Babylon	Acts out Jerusalem’s coming exile before his fellow exiles — digging through a wall, carrying baggage (12:1–16).
13–15	Babylon / Chebar region	Continues prophesying to the exiles about false prophets, idolatry, and Jerusalem’s doom. No change in geographic setting is mentioned.