The Valley of Dry Bones

The words

1. Breath

   In the vision, bodies already covered with skin remain lifeless until breath enters; then they stand as an “exceeding great army.”

   Did you know?

   The NET gives “spirit” as an alternative to “breath” in both the promise and the call from the four winds.

   Ezekiel 37:8–10 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Ezekiel 37:6 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Ezekiel 37:9 (opens a new tab)

2. Dry Bones

   Ezekiel is led around a valley containing very many dry bones, then told to prophesy that they will receive breath and live.

   Ezekiel 37:1–5 (opens a new tab)

3. Everlasting

   After the vision and joined sticks, the LORD promises an everlasting covenant of peace and a sanctuary among the people forever.

   Ezekiel 37:17 (opens a new tab) · Ezekiel 37:26 (opens a new tab)

4. Four Winds

   The LORD tells Ezekiel to address the breath, calling it from the four winds to breathe upon the slain.

   Ezekiel 37:9 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Ezekiel 37:9 (opens a new tab)

5. Graves

   The promise of opened graves leads to being brought into the land of Israel; the LORD also promises to put his spirit in them.

   Ezekiel 37:12–14 (opens a new tab)

6. Hope

   Israel’s lament says, “Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost”; the reply promises opened graves and restored life in their land.

   Ezekiel 37:11–14 (opens a new tab)

7. House of Israel

   The LORD explains that the bones represent the whole house of Israel, then promises to bring the people out of their graves.

   Did you know?

   The chapter next gives Ezekiel two sticks to join, one inscribed for Judah and the other for Joseph, the stick of Ephraim.

   Ezekiel 37:11–12 (opens a new tab) · Ezekiel 37:16–17 (opens a new tab)

8. New Heart

   The preceding chapter promises a new heart in place of the stony heart, using the contrast of stone and flesh.

   Did you know?

   Earlier, Ezekiel 11 promises a changed heart and a new spirit, followed by “they shall be my people, and I will be their God.”

   Ezekiel 36:26 (opens a new tab) · Ezekiel 11:19–20 (opens a new tab)

9. New Spirit

   Ezekiel 36 promises a new spirit and then the LORD’s own spirit within the people, causing them to walk in his statutes.

   Ezekiel 36:26–27 (opens a new tab)

10. Open

    “I will open your graves,” the LORD declares; the explanation links this promise to bringing the people into the land of Israel.

    Ezekiel 37:12–13 (opens a new tab)

11. Shaking

    As Ezekiel prophesies, a noise accompanies the bones coming together; the KJV calls it “a shaking,” while the NET says “a rattling.”

    Ezekiel 37:7 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Ezekiel 37:7 (opens a new tab)

12. Sinews

    Tendons in the NET, whose note says the exact anatomy is uncertain.

    Sinews and flesh cover the bones before skin appears; Ezekiel observes that breath has not yet entered them.

    Ezekiel 37:6 (opens a new tab) · Ezekiel 37:8 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Ezekiel 37:6 (opens a new tab)

13. Skin

    Skin covers the bodies as Ezekiel watches, but the vision distinguishes this visible restoration from the breath that brings them to life.

    Ezekiel 37:8–10 (opens a new tab)

14. Son of Man

    “Human one,” as the NET note explains the address.

    The LORD addresses Ezekiel as “Son of man” when asking, “can these bones live?” Ezekiel replies, “O Lord God, thou knowest.”

    Ezekiel 2:1 · Ezekiel 37:3 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Ezekiel 2:1 (opens a new tab)

15. Valley

    Carried out in the spirit of the LORD, Ezekiel is set in a valley full of bones and led around them.

    Ezekiel 37:1–2 (opens a new tab)