Ezekiel 37:13

KJV

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,

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}, when I have opened {H6605} your graves {H6913}, O my people {H5971}, and brought you up {H5927} out of your graves {H6913},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then you will know that I am ADONAI - when I have opened your graves and made you get up out of your graves, my people!

Berean Standard Bible

Then you, My people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them.

American Standard Version

And ye shall know that I am Jehovah, when I have opened your graves, and caused you to come up out of your graves, O my people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 37:13 stands as a profound declaration within the prophetic vision of the Valley of Dry Bones, articulating God's unwavering commitment to the restoration of His exiled people, Israel. This verse promises a divine act of resurrection—metaphorically opening graves and bringing the people forth—which will unequivocally reveal God's sovereign identity and power. It encapsulates the transition from national despair and spiritual death to renewed life and an experiential knowledge of the LORD, underscoring His faithfulness to His covenant promises and His ability to bring life out of the most desolate circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of the iconic vision recorded in [Ezekiel 37:1-14](/ezekiel/37-1 "Ezekiel 37:1-14 - The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones"). Following a vivid scene where Ezekiel prophesies to a valley of dry bones, witnessing their reanimation and re-fleshing, the Lord explains the vision's meaning. The bones represent "the whole house of Israel," who lament, "Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off" ([Ezekiel 37:11](/ezekiel/37-11 "Ezekiel 37:11 - Israel's Despair and Hopelessness")). Ezekiel 37:13 directly follows God's promise to open their graves and bring them back to the land of Israel, serving as a crucial statement of purpose for this miraculous restoration. It clarifies that the ultimate goal of this divine intervention is not merely physical return but a profound, experiential recognition of God's true nature.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Ezekiel's prophecy is the Babylonian exile, a period of profound national trauma for the Jewish people. The Southern Kingdom of Judah had been conquered, Jerusalem and its Temple destroyed, and a significant portion of the population deported to Babylon in stages (e.g., [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile")). Living in a foreign land, stripped of their national identity, religious center, and political autonomy, the exiles faced immense despair. They felt abandoned by God, as if their nation were dead and buried. The metaphor of "graves" powerfully conveyed their sense of utter hopelessness and national dissolution. Culturally, graves were places of finality, symbolizing the end of all hope. Thus, God's promise to "open your graves" would have resonated deeply with their existential crisis, offering a radical reversal of their perceived fate.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 37:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Self-Revelation**, encapsulated in the recurring "know that I am the LORD" formula, which appears over 70 times in Ezekiel, emphasizing that God's actions are designed to reveal His identity as the one true, covenant-keeping God. The verse also highlights **National Restoration and Spiritual Renewal**, portraying Israel's return from exile not just as a physical repatriation but as a resurrection from spiritual death, a theme further developed in [Ezekiel 36:24-28](/ezekiel/36-24 "Ezekiel 36:24-28 - God's Promise of Restoration and New Heart"). Finally, it powerfully demonstrates **God's Power Over Death and Despair**, illustrating His ability to bring life out of the most desolate situations, a testament to His unwavering faithfulness and limitless power, echoing themes found in other prophetic books like [Isaiah 43](/isaiah/43 "Isaiah 43 - God's Deliverance of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This primitive root signifies a deep, experiential knowledge, not merely intellectual assent. It implies recognition, observation, and a profound, intimate understanding born from direct encounter. In this context, Israel will "know" the LORD not just by hearing about Him, but by witnessing His mighty, life-giving act of national resurrection. This knowledge is transformative, leading to acknowledgment of His sovereignty and covenant faithfulness.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often translated as "Jehovah" or "Yahweh." It denotes the self-existent, eternal, and unchanging God who is faithful to His promises. The declaration "I am the LORD" emphasizes His unique, incomparable identity and His absolute authority as the one who brings about the impossible, specifically the restoration of His people from what appears to be utter annihilation.
* **graves (Hebrew, _qeber'_):** This noun refers to a sepulchre or burying place. In Ezekiel 37:13, it is employed metaphorically to represent the state of utter national desolation, spiritual death, and hopelessness experienced by the exiled Israelites. Their national identity, their land, and their covenant relationship with God seemed "dead and buried." God's promise to "open your graves" signifies a reversal of this state, a miraculous bringing forth from a condition of death to one of renewed life and existence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye shall know that I [am] the LORD,"**: This opening clause establishes the ultimate purpose of God's impending action. The restoration of Israel is not an end in itself, but a means by which God will reveal His true identity and sovereign character to His people. The knowledge gained will be experiential and undeniable, demonstrating His power and faithfulness.
* **"when I have opened your graves, O my people,"**: This clause describes the specific, miraculous act God will perform. The "graves" are a powerful metaphor for the exiles' state of national death, despair, and spiritual separation. God's act of "opening" these graves signifies His intervention to reverse their seemingly irreversible condition, bringing them out of their hopelessness and back into a state of life. The tender address "O my people" underscores the covenant relationship that God maintains despite their current state.
* **"and brought you up out of your graves,"**: This final clause reiterates and expands upon the previous one, emphasizing the complete and active nature of God's restoration. He will not merely open the graves but will actively "bring them up" from their state of death and desolation. This phrase highlights the divine initiative and power behind their national resurrection, leading to their physical return to the land and their spiritual revitalization.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 37:13 is rich with **Metaphor**, primarily in its use of "graves" to represent the spiritual and national death of Israel during the exile. This powerful image conveys the depth of their despair and the seemingly impossible nature of their restoration. The act of God "opening" these metaphorical graves and "bringing you up" is a vivid **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions (opening, bringing up) to God, emphasizing His direct and personal involvement in their deliverance. The recurring phrase "ye shall know that I am the LORD" functions as a **Leitmotif** throughout Ezekiel, serving as a theological anchor that grounds all of God's actions in His ultimate purpose of self-revelation. The **Repetition** of "your graves" reinforces the central metaphor and the dire circumstances from which God promises to deliver His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 37:13 is a pivotal statement on God's redemptive power and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. It underscores that divine intervention is not merely for physical deliverance but for a deeper, experiential knowledge of God's character and sovereignty. This passage foreshadows the ultimate triumph of life over death, not only for a nation but for individuals. The promise of God opening graves and bringing His people up resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative of resurrection and new life, testifying to God's ability to restore what is lost, revive what is dead, and reveal His glory through seemingly impossible acts.

* [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit")
* [Isaiah 26:19](/isaiah/26-19 "Isaiah 26:19 - Resurrection of the Dead")
* [Hosea 6:2](/hosea/6-2 "Hosea 6:2 - Revival and Restoration")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 37:13 offers profound spiritual encouragement for anyone facing circumstances that feel like a "grave"—situations of despair, hopelessness, or spiritual deadness. It reminds us that God's power is not limited by the apparent finality of our struggles. Just as He promised to resurrect a nation from the ashes of exile, He is capable of bringing life, hope, and restoration to our personal "graves"—whether they be broken relationships, chronic illnesses, deep grief, or spiritual apathy. This verse calls us to trust in God's sovereign ability to act even when all human hope is lost, and to recognize that His interventions are ultimately designed to deepen our experiential knowledge of Him as the faithful, all-powerful LORD. Our greatest breakthroughs often occur when we acknowledge our utter helplessness, allowing God to demonstrate His power and reveal Himself in ways we could not have imagined.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "graves" in your life or community feel utterly hopeless and beyond repair?**
* **How does the promise of God "opening your graves" challenge your perspective on these seemingly insurmountable challenges?**
* **In what ways have you experientially "known that I am the LORD" through His intervention in your own life's desperate situations?**
* **How can this verse inspire you to pray with greater faith for situations that seem "dead" or impossible?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the phrase "know that I am the LORD" in Ezekiel?**

Answer: The phrase "know that I am the LORD" (Hebrew: *v'yeda'tem ki ani YHWH*) is a central theological motif in the book of Ezekiel, appearing over 70 times. It signifies much more than intellectual understanding; it refers to an experiential, undeniable recognition of God's sovereign power, unique identity, and covenant faithfulness. God's mighty acts, such as the restoration of Israel from exile, are designed to demonstrate His supremacy and to elicit a profound, transformative knowledge of who He is, both for His people and for the nations ([Ezekiel 36:23](/ezekiel/36-23 "Ezekiel 36:23 - God's Holy Name Vindicated")). It implies a relationship where God's character is proven through His deeds.

**Are the "graves" in Ezekiel 37:13 literal or metaphorical?**

Answer: The "graves" in Ezekiel 37:13 are primarily metaphorical. While the concept of literal graves certainly exists, in this context, they symbolize the state of utter national desolation, spiritual death, and hopelessness experienced by the exiled Israelites. Their national identity was "dead," their land lay desolate, and their hope was "cut off" ([Ezekiel 37:11](/ezekiel/37-11 "Ezekiel 37:11 - Israel's Despair")). God's promise to "open your graves" and "bring you up" signifies a miraculous reversal of this state—a national resurrection and spiritual revitalization, leading to their return to the land and renewal of their covenant relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 37:13, with its powerful imagery of resurrection from graves, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the immediate context speaks to Israel's national restoration, the spiritual principle of life from death points directly to the Gospel. Christ Himself is the ultimate "opener of graves," not just metaphorically but literally, through His own resurrection from the dead, conquering sin and death ([Romans 6:9](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9 - Christ's Resurrection and Victory over Death")). Furthermore, Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). For believers, the "graves" of spiritual death, alienated from God by sin, are opened through faith in Christ. We are "made alive together with Christ" and "raised with him" ([Ephesians 2:5-6](/ephesians/2-5 "Ephesians 2:5-6 - Made Alive with Christ")), experiencing a spiritual resurrection that brings new life and an experiential knowledge of God as our Father. This spiritual transformation, a new birth, is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to put His Spirit within His people, bringing them out of the "graves" of spiritual despair into the abundant life found only in Him ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd and Abundant Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 37:6

And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Ezekiel 16:62

And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD:

Psalms 126:2

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

Psalms 126:3

The LORD hath done great things for us; [whereof] we are glad.