השחתת סממני המלוכה ושיקומם: השקפת יחזקאל באשר להנהגת ישראל בעתיד

This article investigates Ezekiel’s view of Israel’s future leadership. It analyzes two prophecies: the prophecy addressed to the wicked slain in Ezek 21:30–32 and the prophecy of the two sticks in Ezek 37:15–28. In addition to their discussion of Israel’s future leadership, these prophecies relate to Israel’s most prominent regalia: the turban, the crown, and the rulers’ staff, and they describe what will happen to them in the future.The article offers new readings of both prophecies, concluding that the prophecy addressed to the wicked slain describes both the deformation of Zedekiah’s turban and crown and their restoration and reassignment to Israel’s future leader. Likewise, the prophecy of the two sticks relates to the two ruling staffs of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. At the time of its proclamation, these two kingdoms no longer existed, and this caused Ezekiel to use the general term עץ (lit. wood, stick) and not מטה(staff, scepter) which is more common in such contexts. However, in his symbolic act, Ezekiel recreates Israel’s ruling staffs which will be given to Israel’s future leader.These prophecies indicate that Ezekiel does not predict a radical change in Israel’s future leadership. The house of David will continue to lead Israel after itsr restoration, and the future kings’ restored regaliar eflect their high status and full authority.