Ezekiel 37 9

Ezekiel 37:9 kjv

Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

Ezekiel 37:9 nkjv

Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live." ' "

Ezekiel 37:9 niv

Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.'?"

Ezekiel 37:9 esv

Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live."

Ezekiel 37:9 nlt

Then he said to me, "Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.'"

Ezekiel 37 verses

Ezekiel 37 9 Meaning

The prophecy is a divine command and promise directed at the dry bones, symbolizing the house of Israel. It signifies a spiritual revival and physical restoration, leading to a renewed nation indwelt by the Spirit of God.

Ezekiel 37 9 Context

Ezekiel chapter 37 presents a vision of a valley filled with dry bones. This vision is a powerful allegory for the state of the nation of Israel during the Babylonian exile, which is described as a time of national death and hopelessness. The prophet Ezekiel receives a divine command to prophesy to these bones. The chapter describes a process of resurrection, first of the bones themselves and then the animating breath, symbolizing the restoring power of God’s Spirit. This prophecy speaks to the restoration of Israel from its spiritual and national deadness back to life and unity as a nation, re-established in their own land and indwelt by God's Spirit.

Ezekiel 37 9 Word Analysis

• "Command" (Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר, wayyōʾmer): This signifies a divine utterance, a direct imperative from God. It's not a suggestion but an authoritative instruction.
• "Prophesy" (Hebrew: דִּבֵּר, dibbēr): Literally "speak" or "say," in this context, it means to speak forth a message from God, carrying divine authority and purpose.
• "Dry bones": These represent the people of Israel during the Babylonian exile, scattered, defeated, and seemingly devoid of hope or life. They are a picture of national spiritual death and severance from God's covenant blessings.
• "Them": Refers directly to the dry bones, the house of Israel, signifying their dispersed and lifeless condition.
• "O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.": This is the prophetic command. The "hearing" implies an act of obedience and reception of God's life-giving word, not merely auditory perception. The repetition emphasizes the directness of God's message.
• "Thus says the Lord GOD": A common prophetic formula introducing a direct divine oracle, underscoring the authority and origin of the message.
• "Behold, I will open your graves": God, not Israel, is the agent of this resurrection. "Graves" signifies the state of utter desolation and separation from life, reflecting the hopelessness of their exile.
• "and bring you up from your graves": Reinforces the act of rescue and revival, a complete reversal of their deathly state.
• "O my people": This term of endearment and covenant highlights God's unfailing relationship with Israel, even in their fallen state.
• "and I will bring you back to the land of Israel": The prophecy explicitly connects the spiritual revival with a physical return and re-establishment in their homeland, signifying national restoration.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Prophesy to these bones": This instructs the prophet to address a seemingly lifeless and impossible situation, mirroring how the gospel is proclaimed to those spiritually dead in their sins.
• "Hear the word of the LORD": This underscores that salvation and restoration come through faith in God's spoken word. The message itself is the vehicle of life.
• "I will open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people": This dual action of opening graves and bringing them up emphasizes God's complete power over death and His redemptive action for His covenant people.

Ezekiel 37 9 Bonus Section

The vision in Ezekiel 37 is often seen as a precursor to understanding spiritual rebirth in the New Testament. Jesus speaks of hearing His word and passing from death to life (John 5:24-25). Paul likens the state of sinners to being "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1) before being "made alive together with Christ" (Ephesians 2:5). The "breath of life" that enters the bones is strongly associated with the Holy Spirit, the agent of spiritual life, as highlighted in the New Testament, particularly in the upper room experiences and Jesus’ promises of the Comforter. The ingathering and revival of Israel are also mirrored in the concept of the Church, the redeemed community drawn from all nations, who become the dwelling place of God’s Spirit.

Ezekiel 37 9 Commentary

This verse is a pivotal declaration in Ezekiel’s prophecy, marking the shift from desolation to restoration. It highlights God's sovereign power to bring life out of absolute death. The command to "prophesy" to dry bones underscores the nature of God's kingdom, where His word, when spoken by His chosen messengers, carries inherent life-giving power, even in the face of impossible circumstances. The repetition of "dry bones" emphasizes the depth of their despair and the miraculous nature of their revival. The direct address "O my people" reaffirms God's covenant faithfulness. The prophecy is a promise of both national restoration (return to the land) and spiritual renewal (infused with God's Spirit), anticipating a time when Israel would be revitalized. This vision finds its ultimate fulfillment in the spiritual resurrection of believers through Christ and the ingathering of all God’s people in the new creation.

• Practical implication: Just as God spoke life to dead bones, believers can proclaim God's life-giving promises into seemingly dead situations in their lives or the lives of others, trusting in the Spirit to bring about transformation.