Ezekiel 37:3 kjv
And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.
Ezekiel 37:3 nkjv
And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord GOD, You know."
Ezekiel 37:3 niv
He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "Sovereign LORD, you alone know."
Ezekiel 37:3 esv
And he said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord GOD, you know."
Ezekiel 37:3 nlt
Then he asked me, "Son of man, can these bones become living people again?" "O Sovereign LORD," I replied, "you alone know the answer to that."
Ezekiel 37 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 3:14 | Then the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness... | Visionary Transport |
| Ezekiel 8:3 | And he put forth the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair... | Divine Touch/Action |
| Ezekiel 11:1 | Moreover the Spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate... | Spiritually Transported |
| Ezekiel 43:5 | So the Spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court... | Spiritually Transported |
| John 3:8 | The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the sound thereof... | Divine Breath/Spirit |
| 1 Corinthians 6:14 | And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise us up... | Resurrection Hope |
| Romans 4:17 | (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before... | God who gives life to the dead |
| Romans 8:11 | But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead... | Resurrection through the Spirit |
| 1 Corinthians 15:45 | And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul... | Resurrection of the Body |
| Job 14:14 | If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed... | Question of Post-Mortem Life |
| Psalm 119:133 | Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion... | Divine Guidance |
| Jeremiah 31:27 | Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house... | Restoration and New Covenant |
| Isaiah 40:29 | He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he... | God's Strength in Weakness |
| Habakkuk 1:1 | The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. | Burden/Visionary Experience |
| Matthew 19:26 | But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is... | Divine Possibility |
| Mark 10:27 | And Jesus answering saith, The things which are impossible with... | Divine Possibility |
| Luke 1:37 | For with God nothing shall be impossible. | Divine Possibility |
| Acts 2:2-3 | And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty... | Spirit of God |
| Ephesians 1:19 | And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who... | Resurrection Power |
| Genesis 1:2 | And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon... | Divine Creation Power |
| Psalm 33:9 | For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. | Creative Power of God's Word |
| Revelation 1:17 | And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his... | Divine Touch in Vision |
Ezekiel 37 verses
Ezekiel 37 3 Meaning
The Lord's hand touched Ezekiel. He was in the Spirit and brought to a valley filled with dry bones. God then asked Ezekiel, "Son of man, can these bones live?" This question is a profound probe into Ezekiel's faith and understanding of God's power. It challenges him, and by extension, us, to consider the seemingly impossible and to trust in God's ability to bring life from desolation.
Ezekiel 37 3 Context
Ezekiel chapter 37 is situated within the broader prophetic ministry of Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. The people of Israel, scattered and disheartened, felt as though their nation was dead, represented by the dry bones. God reveals this vision to Ezekiel to offer a powerful message of hope, restoration, and national resurrection. The preceding chapters detail the judgments against Israel for their sin, and this vision marks a turning point towards a promise of future revival and the establishment of a renewed Israel under God's direct rule. The historical context is crucial: the Southern Kingdom of Judah had already fallen, its temple destroyed, and its people were in captivity, facing existential despair.
Ezekiel 37 3 Word analysis
- And (וְ - və): A conjunction, common in Hebrew, signifying connection or continuation. Here, it links the LORD's action to Ezekiel's state.
- the LORD (יהוה - YHWH): The covenantal name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with Israel and His power as Creator and Redeemer.
- his hand (יָדוֹ - yāḏō): A direct, physical (though visionary) contact from God. The hand often signifies God's power, action, protection, or creative force. In this context, it signifies a divine enablement and apprehension.
- was upon (עָלַי - ʿālay): "upon me." Indicates a direct influence and presence of the LORD.
- me (אֹתִי - ōṯî): The object pronoun. Ezekiel is the recipient of God's direct interaction.
- and he (וַיּוֹצִאֵנִי - way·yō·w·ṣi·’ê·nî): "and he brought me out" or "and he brought me forth." Implies a transition from one state or place to another, facilitated by God's power.
- brought me forth (בְּרוּחַ יְהוָה - bə·rū·aḥ YHWH): This is a compound phrase that significantly translates to "in/by the Spirit of the LORD." It specifies that the movement and state of being "in the Spirit" are divinely induced and empowered. This isn't a self-initiated trance but a divine transportation and endowment with spiritual capacity.
Word-group analysis:
- "the LORD's hand was upon me" (וַתְּהִי עָלַי - wə·ṯə·hî ‘ā·lay) - This establishes direct divine engagement, marking Ezekiel as chosen for a specific revelation.
- "and he brought me forth in the Spirit of the LORD" (וַיּוֹצִאֵנִי בְּרוּחַ יְהוָה - way·yō·w·ṣi·’ê·nî ḇə·rū·aḥ YHWH) - This describes a supernatural transport and spiritual empowerment, placing Ezekiel into a visionary state where he perceives realities beyond the ordinary human experience. The "Spirit of the LORD" is the agency for this experience, akin to other instances of divine visitation and revelation in scripture.
Ezekiel 37 3 Bonus Section
The concept of divine encounter through a touch is seen elsewhere in scripture, such as with Isaiah (Isaiah 6:7) and even Peter with a specific miraculous touch leading to supernatural intervention. The "Spirit of the LORD" as the means of prophetic transport and vision is a recurring theme in the books of the Latter Prophets (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel), demonstrating that prophetic experiences are divinely orchestrated rather than mystical self-inducements. This specific encounter emphasizes God's initiative in communicating His will and revealing His plans for redemption and re-establishment, even for a people who seem spiritually deceased. The juxtaposition of a divine touch with being placed in a vision highlights that spiritual perception and prophetic insight are gifts from God, enabling a deeper understanding of His work and purposes.
Ezekiel 37 3 Commentary
This verse signifies God's direct intervention and enablement of His prophet. The touching of the Lord's hand is a personal encounter, conveying divine authority and purpose. Being brought forth "in the Spirit of the LORD" highlights a supernatural state where Ezekiel’s senses are heightened and aligned with God's perspective. The valley of dry bones, presented next, is a symbolic representation of Israel's spiritual and national deadness. God's subsequent question to Ezekiel tests his faith and his understanding of God’s omnipotence in situations that appear utterly hopeless. It is an invitation to recognize God's capacity for radical renewal, even from the most desolate conditions, mirroring the creation narrative and future resurrection promises. This foundational moment sets the stage for one of the most powerful prophecies of restoration in the Old Testament.