6th Century BC (During the Babylonian Exile)
The Israelites were in exile in Babylon, having been taken captive after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC. This period was marked by a longing for restoration and a return to their homeland.
Babylon was the dominant empire, having conquered Judah and taken many of its inhabitants into exile. The Babylonian Empire was known for its grandeur and its policy of relocating conquered peoples.
The vision takes place in a symbolic representation of Jerusalem, specifically focusing on a new Temple. Ezekiel himself was among the exiles in Babylon, near the Kebar River.
The Israelites in exile were grappling with maintaining their identity and faith in a foreign land. The vision of a new Temple symbolized hope and the promise of God's continued presence and future restoration.
Ezekiel