Law and Life: Leviticus 18.5 in the Literary Framework of Ezekiel

Abstract

While it is often recognized that Ezekiel alludes to Lev. 18.5 throughout Ezekiel 20, this essay seeks to show that the Leviticus text is referred to in various other portions of the book. These allusions connect two major motifs in the book of Ezekiel: Israel’s disobedience to the ‘statutes and judgments’ of Yahweh and the lack of life therein. These motifs are climactically fulfilled in chs. 36-37 where Yahweh causes Israel to obey his ‘statutes and judgments’ and breathes life into the nation. This suggests that the text of Lev. 18.5 was selected to highlight the conditional nature of these covenant stipulations, which amplifies divine agency in the program of restoration.