The Encyclopedia of World Religions

142 S exorcism

of J ERUSALEM (587 B . C . E .) and words of hope afterward. His prophecies are remarkable for their symbolic, visionary quality. Among them are the throne of YHWH (“the Lord”) with its four living creatures (Ezekiel 1), the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37), and the vision of a new temple (Ezekiel 40–48). The symbolism of Ezekiel’s visions greatly influenced later APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE , for exam ple, the New Testament book of REVELATION . Ezra (586–539 B . C . E .) a priest important in shaping J UDAISM in the period after the Babylo nian exile and the name of one biblical and two apocryphal books According to the B IBLE , Ezra the priest went from Babylon to Judah in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. There were two kings with this name and opinions vary on which Artaxerxes is meant. Ezra’s arrival would date either 458 or 398 B . C . E . In Judah, Ezra opposed what struck him as the lax practices of the Jews, including intermar riage with non-Jews. He convinced Jewish men to divorce their non-Jewish wives; he organized Jew ish life in accordance with the instructions given in the T ORAH ; and he conducted a ceremony of dedica tion in which the Torah was read. Some think that he was acting as an official of the Persian state. Nevertheless, his activity exercised a profound influence on the formation of Judaism. As a result, some call him the “father of Judaism.” He is also seen as a second M OSES , who would have received the Torah if Moses had not already done so. At least three different ancient books go by the name Ezra. The biblical book of Ezra-Nehemiah continues the history told in the books of Chroni cles. It recounts in detail Ezra’s reforms and N EHE MIAH ’s building activities. The apocryphal book known as 1 Esdras (Latin for Ezra) in effect sum marizes—with changes—most of Ezra-Nehemiah as well as the end of Chronicles. The Book of 2 Esdras is probably a Jewish apocalypse ( see APOCA LYPTIC LITERATURE ) with a later Christian overlay.

The only information about the Exodus comes from the Bible; no outside sources confirm it. Most scholars think that some slaves did escape from Egypt, but they disagree on the details. For exam ple, they disagree on how many slaves escaped and what route they took. They also disagree on the date. Many date the Exodus to around 1250 B . C . E . Some prefer to date it earlier, around 1425. The three major J EWISH FESTIVALS —P ASSOVER , Shavuot, and Sukkot—commemorate the major events of the Exodus. exorcism The driving out of evil spirits by religious means. A particular place, or a person, believed to be “possessed” by DEVILS AND DEMONS , may be exorcised. In P RIMAL R ELIGION , exorcism is frequently a part of WITCHCRAFT and MAGIC . It is practiced in Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, and Islamic contexts, typically by specialist priests or lay sha mans rather than by the regular clergy. In the N EW T ESTAMENT , J ESUS is described as casting out demons, and saying that his doing so was a sign of the coming of the kingdom of HEAVEN . Accordingly, the Christian church has generally had a place for the practice of exorcism, though it has not always been much emphasized. The Roman Catholic Church has an exorcism RITUAL , which may be per formed by priests authorized to do so. In E VANGELI CAL C HRISTIANITY , FUNDAMENTALIST C HRISTIANITY ( see FUNDAMENTALISM , C HRISTIAN ), and P ENTECOSTALISM , exorcism is sometimes done with scripture read ing, intense prayer, and the laying on of hands. The exorcism of a possessed person is reportedly a very difficult and grueling engagement, both for the exorcist and for the subject. Often, as in Jesus’ own driving out of demons, exorcism is thought to be a prelude to spiritual HEALING .

Ezekiel (sixth century B . C . E .) A priest who authored one of the prophetic books of the Hebrew B IBLE , also named Ezekiel Ezekiel uttered both words of warning before the destruction