Ezekiel 37 7

Ezekiel 37:7 kjv

So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

Ezekiel 37:7 nkjv

So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone.

Ezekiel 37:7 niv

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.

Ezekiel 37:7 esv

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone.

Ezekiel 37:7 nlt

So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons.

Ezekiel 37 verses

Ezekiel 37 7 Meaning

This verse describes a divine command for Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, commanding them to "Hear the word of the Lord." This is the pivotal moment where inanimate, dried-out remains are addressed with the potential for life through God's spoken word. It signifies the power of God's word to bring about supernatural transformation and restoration, even from a state of utter hopelessness and death.

Ezekiel 37 7 Context

This verse occurs within the broader vision of the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel chapter 37. Ezekiel has just witnessed a vast field of scattered, dried bones, symbolizing the complete destruction and apparent hopelessness of the nation of Israel in exile. The vision emphasizes the absolute state of death and the absence of life. This specific verse marks the divine instruction to Ezekiel, the prophet, to speak God's word to these seemingly irrecoverable bones, setting the stage for the supernatural reanimation of Israel. The historical context is the Babylonian exile, a time when God's people felt utterly abandoned and lifeless as a nation.

Ezekiel 37 7 Word Analysis

• Commanded (וַתֹּ֤אמֶר): (vatomer) - Literally "and she said," or in this context, a feminine imperative form implying a command issued.

• Prophesy (נְאֻם־יְהוָ֗ה): (ne'um-Yahweh) - This phrase means "Thus says the Lord" or "The oracle of the Lord." It establishes the divine authority and origin of the prophetic message.

• O ye (אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם): (alehem) - To them, referring directly to the dry bones.

• Bones (עֲצָמ֙וֹת֙): ('atsamot) - The plural of 'atsamah, meaning bone. This starkly represents a state of utter desolation and death, beyond human intervention.

• Hear (שִׁמְעוּ): (shim'u) - An imperative plural verb from the root "shama," meaning to hear, listen, or obey. It’s not just passive listening but an active response.

• The word (אֶת־דְּבַ֣ר): (et-davar) - "The word" of the Lord, referring to His pronouncements and divine communication.

• of the Lord (יְהוָ֑ה): (Yahweh) - The personal name of God.

• To these dry bones: This phrasing highlights the specific audience – bones that are parched and brittle, emphasizing their lack of vitality.

• Hear the word of the Lord: This encapsulates the central action and its divine source, pointing to the power embedded in God's spoken word.

Ezekiel 37 7 Bonus Section

The act of prophesying to dry bones directly anticipates the New Testament concept of being "born again." Just as the bones were dead and inanimate, so too are humans spiritually dead in their sins (Ephesians 2:1). The "word of the Lord" spoken in this instance, and ultimately embodied in Jesus Christ, has the power to bring about resurrection life (John 5:25). The wind (ruach) mentioned later in the chapter represents the Holy Spirit, who breathes life into these spiritually dead "bones" (Ezekiel 37:9-10), a clear parallel to the Spirit giving life (John 6:63) and our spiritual birth through the living Word (1 Peter 1:23). This prophecy serves as a foundational theological statement about the power of God’s revelation and the Spirit’s regenerating work.

Ezekiel 37 7 Commentary

The prophetic command to speak to inanimate objects underscores the radical nature of God's power. It is not by any natural means, but through direct divine utterance, that restoration is initiated. This action serves as a powerful metaphor for the Holy Spirit's work in bringing spiritual life to those who are spiritually dead. The emphasis is on obedience to God's command, even when it seems absurd or impossible from a human perspective. It teaches that faith responds to God's word, trusting in its inherent ability to create and transform.