King James Version
What Does Ezekiel 37:1 Mean?
“The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,”
Context
1
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,
2
And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. valley: or, champaign
3
And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.
Topics in This Verse
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(1) **In the midst of the valley.—**The word is the same as in Ezekiel 3:22; Ezekiel 8:4, and having the definite article prefixed, is very probably the same plain, now seen in spirit, in which Ezekiel had seen his former visions.
**Which was full of bones.**—It is better, with the Hebrew, to put a stop after “plain” (valley), and then read, *this was full of bones.* The bones, as the subsequent verses show, were not heaped together, but thickly strewn upon the face of the plain. After the prophet’s mind had so long dwelt upon the desolating campaigns of Nebuchadnezzar, these ghastly reminders of the loss of human life might naturally enter into his thoughts.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Ezekiel 37:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Ezekiel 37:1
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge