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The Valley of Dry Bones
Ezekiel 37:1-14 · Ezekiel · Updated April 16, 2026
“Then he said to me, 'Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!’”
Ezekiel 37:4“This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.”
Ezekiel 37:5“So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.”
Ezekiel 37:10“I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.”
Ezekiel 37:14Ezekiel, a prophet among the Jewish exiles in Babylon, prophesied during a tumultuous period in Jewish history, specifically from around 593 to 571 BC. This era was marked by the Babylonian exile, a time when the Kingdom of Judah was conquered by the Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar II.
Ezekiel himself was a priest, likely taken into exile during the first deportation in 597 BC. His messages often oscillated between dire warnings of judgment and vivid promises of restoration. The historical backdrop of Ezekiel's ministry is crucial to understanding his prophecies. The Babylonian Empire was at its zenith, having subdued much of the Near East, including the once-powerful Assyrian Empire. The Jewish exiles, living in a foreign land, were grappling with questions about their identity, their God, and their future. Ezekiel's prophecies, including the vision of the Valley of Dry Bones, were meant to address these existential concerns.
The Valley of Dry Bones prophecy in Ezekiel 37 is a pivotal text in biblical literature, sparking debates about resurrection and national restoration. The central question is whether this prophecy is fulfilled spiritually through the church or literally through the nation of Israel. The stakes are high: if the prophecy is about Israel's literal restoration, it has profound implications for Jewish eschatology and the modern state of Israel. Conversely, if it's a spiritual metaphor, it underpins Christian claims of fulfillment in Christ and the church. The text's enduring debate lies in its dual themes of resurrection and restoration, challenging interpreters to discern its true scope.
Ezekiel 37:1-14 presents a vivid vision where the prophet is transported by the Spirit to a valley filled with dry bones. God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to these bones, and as he does, they miraculously come together, grow flesh, and are filled with breath, transforming into a vast army. God explains this vision as a metaphor for the restoration of Israel from exile.
> Ezekiel 37:4 > "Then he said to me, 'Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!’"
> Ezekiel 37:5 > "This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life."
> Ezekiel 37:10 > "So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet — a vast army."
> Ezekiel 37:14 > "I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD."
The textual differences between the Septuagint (LXX) and the Masoretic Text (MT), such as the use of "spirit" instead of "breath," are significant. These variations influence whether the passage is interpreted as a physical resurrection or a spiritual renewal, affecting theological understandings across traditions.
The weight of evidence in Ezekiel 37 leans towards a literal interpretation concerning Israel's national restoration. The text's historical context and explicit language about Israel's return from exile are compelling. However, the passage's theological richness allows for spiritual interpretations, particularly within Christianity, where it is seen as a metaphor for resurrection and renewal in Christ. What remains unresolvable from the text alone is the extent to which it should be spiritualized beyond its original context, a question that continues to fuel theological debate.
The passage is seen as a prophecy of spiritual resurrection fulfilled in Christ and the church, symbolizing new life through the Holy Spirit.
Scriptural evidence: Romans 8:11, John 11:25
Key objection: The text explicitly refers to the restoration of Israel, not the church.
The prophecy is understood as a promise of national restoration for Israel, with the bones representing the exiled Jewish people.
Scriptural evidence: Ezekiel 37:11-14
Key objection: The passage is often spiritualized in Christian theology, which some argue misses the literal national promise.
The passage originally promised the return of the exiled Israelites to their homeland, reflecting the historical context of the Babylonian exile.
Scriptural evidence: Ezekiel 37:11-14
Key objection: Later theological interpretations see broader spiritual meanings beyond the historical context.
LXX vs MT differences
The Septuagint (LXX) has minor variations in wording compared to the Masoretic Text (MT), such as the use of 'spirit' instead of 'breath' in some verses.
These differences can affect interpretations of whether the passage refers to physical or spiritual resurrection.
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