The Book of Ezekiel is often overlooked and not much is known about his personal life. His name is actually only mentioned twice in the entire book. What is known about this mysterious prophet is that he was the son of the priest Buzi, and his name means "God will strengthen. (Ezekiel)". Ezekiel was a priest who lived during the Israelite exile around 597 BC the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem. The Israelite exiles settled in a place called Tel-Abib, on the banks of Chebar, in the land of the Chaldeans (Thomas 24). Ezekiel is said to have been about 26 years old when he was put into exile with King Jehoiachin. Although Ezekiel lived during a time when Israel was being demolished by the Babylonians, his faith remained strong with one God, Yahweh. Unlike Ezekiel, many Israelites in this period believed in many gods, each of whom had a political or social purpose for their society (The New Interpreter's Study Bible 169). Yahweh did not agree with this because the Israelites had made a covenant with him. This covenant meant that they could not continue to worship other idols, because if they did Yahweh would pour out his wrath upon them. Ezekiel understood this and knew that this was why they were being punished. Yahweh uses Ezekiel to convey this message to his people and show them the punishment they will endure because of their sins. Ezekiel realizes that he is a prophet of the word of God when he receives a vision at the River Chebar in Babylon (Thomas 25). His first vision consisted of extraordinary creatures that each had four faces and four wings. Above these human-like creatures was a dome that looked like a throne. On this throne was a human-like form that resembled the image of the glory of God. When Ezekiel saw this he fell on his face. Then a voice came to him and said, "O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak to you. And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and made me stand up; and I heard him speak to me. He said to me, Mortal, you I send against the children of Israel, against a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me, they and their ancestors have rebelled against me to this day.