King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 37:11 Mean?

Ezekiel 37:11 in the King James Version says “Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.”

Ezekiel 37:11 · KJV

Hope

Context

9

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. wind: or, breath

10

So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

11

Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

12

Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

13

And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,

Read Ezekiel 37 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts." God interprets the vision—the bones represent Israel in exile, feeling hopeless and finished. The threefold complaint—"bones dried," "hope lost," "cut off"—expresses utter despair. Yet this is precisely when God acts most dramatically. When human hope dies, divine intervention appears most glorious. The gospel addresses such complete hopelessness—humans are dead in sin, without hope (Ephesians 2:12), yet God resurrects them. Despair precedes deliverance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The exiles' complaint (587 BC) reflected accurate self-assessment—nationally dead, humanly hopeless. Decades in captivity with no prospect of return bred despair. The "we are cut off" echoes covenant curses threatening national extinction (Leviticus 26:38-39). Yet God's promises transcend human circumstances. The darkest hour precedes dawn—Christ rose after crucifixion, church exploded after persecution. This pattern recurs: God works most powerfully when human hope exhausts itself. The passage encourages believers in desperate circumstances—when we reach the end, God begins.

Reflection Questions

  1. What situations feel hopelessly dead, requiring supernatural intervention beyond human possibility?
  2. How does reaching the end of human hope position us to experience God's power most fully?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
אֹמְרִ֗ים1 of 18

“Then he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַי֒2 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֶּן3 of 18

“unto me Son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָ֕ם4 of 18

“of man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

עַצְמוֹתֵ֛ינוּ5 of 18

“Our bones”

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

הָאֵ֔לֶּה6 of 18
H428

these or those

כָּל7 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בֵּ֥ית8 of 18

“are the whole house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל9 of 18

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הֵ֑מָּה10 of 18
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

הִנֵּ֣ה11 of 18
H2009

lo!

אֹמְרִ֗ים12 of 18

“Then he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יָבְשׁ֧וּ13 of 18

“are dried”

H3001

to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)

עַצְמוֹתֵ֛ינוּ14 of 18

“Our bones”

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

וְאָבְדָ֥ה15 of 18

“is lost”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

תִקְוָתֵ֖נוּ16 of 18

“and our hope”

H8615

literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy

נִגְזַ֥רְנוּ17 of 18

“we are cut off”

H1504

to cut down or off; (figuratively) to destroy, divide, exclude, or decide

לָֽנוּ׃18 of 18
H0

Study Guide

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 37:11 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 37:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 2:1Psalms 77:7-9Ezekiel 39:25Jeremiah 31:1Ezekiel 36:10Isaiah 49:14

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 37 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezekiel 37 with CommentaryAll Ezekiel ChaptersComplete Ezekiel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes