Ezekiel 37:15

KJV

¶ The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

The word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came again unto me, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

The word of ADONAI came to me:

Berean Standard Bible

Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

American Standard Version

The word of Jehovah came again unto me, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 37:15 serves as a pivotal transitional verse, re-establishing the divine origin and authoritative nature of the messages conveyed to the prophet Ezekiel. Following the profound vision of the Valley of Dry Bones, this verse signals the commencement of a new, equally significant revelation concerning the reunification of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, underscoring God's continuous and progressive unfolding of His redemptive plan for His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the powerful and symbolic vision of the Valley of Dry Bones, detailed in [Ezekiel 37:1-14](/ezekiel/37-1 "Ezekiel 37:1-14 - The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones"). In that preceding section, God vividly demonstrated His sovereign power to bring life and restoration to the seemingly dead nation of Israel, promising a spiritual and national resurrection. Ezekiel 37:15 acts as a crucial narrative bridge, shifting the focus from the internal spiritual revitalization of Israel to their external political and national reunification. It marks the beginning of a new oracle, building directly upon the hope instilled by the previous vision and setting the stage for the prophecy of the two sticks in [Ezekiel 37:16-28](/ezekiel/37-16 "Ezekiel 37:16-28 - The Prophecy of the Two Sticks").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile (c. 597-538 BCE), a period of profound despair and disorientation for the Jewish people. They had lost their land, their temple, and their national sovereignty, leading many to question God's faithfulness and their future as a distinct people. The northern kingdom of Israel had been exiled by Assyria centuries earlier (722 BCE), and the southern kingdom of Judah was now in Babylon. The idea of their reunification was a radical concept, challenging the deep-seated historical division and animosity between the two entities. Ezekiel's messages, delivered to a dispirited community far from their homeland, provided crucial hope and a vision for future restoration, emphasizing God's continued covenant faithfulness despite their dire circumstances.

* **Key Themes:** The verse strongly reinforces the theme of **Divine Revelation**, highlighting that the prophet's words are not his own but direct, authoritative communications from the Lord. The recurring phrase "The word of the LORD came unto me" is a hallmark of prophetic literature, emphasizing God's active engagement with humanity and His sovereign control over history, as seen in numerous prophetic books like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "Jeremiah 1 - The Call of Jeremiah") and [Isaiah](/isaiah/1 "Isaiah 1 - The Great Arraignment"). It also underscores the **Continuity and Progression of God's Plan**, with the word "again" signifying that God's messages are not isolated but part of an unfolding, coherent divine purpose. This continuity ensures that the promise of national reunification, introduced here, is a logical extension of the spiritual restoration promised earlier in [Ezekiel 37:1-14](/ezekiel/37-1 "Ezekiel 37:1-14 - The Valley of Dry Bones Vision"). Finally, it introduces the theme of **National Restoration and Unity**, setting the stage for the detailed prophecy of the two sticks, symbolizing the future reunion of Judah and Israel under one king, a theme elaborated upon in [Ezekiel 37:21-22](/ezekiel/37-21 "Ezekiel 37:21-22 - Reunification of Israel and Judah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term, derived from the root "to speak," signifies not merely an utterance but often carries the weight of a matter, thing, or affair. In a prophetic context, it denotes a divine pronouncement, a decree, or a message that carries inherent authority and power to bring about what it declares. Here, it emphasizes that what follows is not Ezekiel's personal reflection but a substantial, divinely originated communication.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh, signifying "the self-Existent One" or "the Eternal." Its use here underscores the personal, relational, and unchanging nature of the God who is speaking. It is the God of the covenant, who is faithful to His promises, who is delivering this new message of hope and restoration.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to say" with broad applications, indicating the act of speaking, declaring, or commanding. In this context, it highlights the direct and explicit nature of God's communication to Ezekiel, signaling that the subsequent verses contain the precise content of this divine message, to be relayed without alteration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The word of the LORD":** This opening phrase is a standard prophetic formula, immediately establishing the divine origin and absolute authority of the message that follows. It asserts that the subsequent revelation is not a human interpretation or thought but a direct communication from Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God.
* **"came again unto me":** The inclusion of "again" is significant. It signifies the continuity and progressive nature of God's revelation to Ezekiel. It implies that this new message builds upon previous divine communications, particularly the preceding vision of the dry bones, assuring both the prophet and his audience that God's plan is unfolding systematically and purposefully. It also highlights the personal and direct nature of God's address to Ezekiel.
* **"saying,":** This participle indicates that the divine communication is active and immediate. It acts as an introduction to the specific content of the new oracle, which will be detailed in the subsequent verses. It emphasizes that what follows is the direct utterance of God, through His prophet, for the benefit and instruction of His people.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 37:15, though brief, employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is the **Prophetic Formula**, "The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying," which functions as a literary marker. This recurring phrase throughout prophetic literature serves to authenticate the message, attributing its origin directly to God and establishing the prophet as a mere messenger. It lends immense **Authority** to the ensuing revelation, assuring the audience that the words are divinely inspired and therefore trustworthy and binding. The word "again" introduces **Repetition with Variation**, signaling a new phase or continuation of God's communication, building upon previous oracles. This creates a sense of **Narrative Progression**, moving the divine plan forward from spiritual resurrection to national reunification. The verse also acts as a **Transitional Device**, smoothly shifting the thematic focus within Ezekiel 37 from the vision of the dry bones to the prophecy of the two sticks, linking distinct but related aspects of Israel's promised restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 37:15 powerfully asserts the ongoing nature of divine revelation and God's active involvement in human history. It underscores the theological truth that God is not silent but continually communicates His will and purposes to His people, often through chosen vessels like prophets. This verse reinforces the idea that God's plans are comprehensive and unfold progressively, building upon previous promises and revelations. Just as He promised both spiritual renewal and national reunification to ancient Israel, He continues to work in the lives of believers and in the world, bringing restoration in various forms. It speaks to the faithfulness of God to His covenant promises, even when circumstances seem dire, and highlights His sovereign power to bring about His desired future.

* [Jeremiah 1:4-9](/jeremiah/1-4 "Jeremiah 1:4-9 - The Call of Jeremiah")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes His Purpose")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Revelation Through His Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 37:15, though seemingly a simple introductory phrase, carries profound implications for our faith and daily lives. It reminds us that God is a speaking God, actively engaged with His creation and continually revealing His will. For the exiles, this "word of the LORD" was a lifeline of hope in a context of despair, assuring them that God had not abandoned them and that His plans for their restoration were still unfolding. For us today, it encourages a posture of attentiveness and expectation towards God's voice, whether through Scripture, prayer, or the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Just as God's message to Ezekiel built upon previous revelations, our understanding of God's truth often deepens progressively as we engage with His Word. This verse calls us to trust in the continuity and coherence of God's purposes, even when our circumstances seem chaotic or disjointed. It affirms that God is always at work, moving His grand narrative of redemption forward, and invites us to align our lives with His unfolding will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the phrase "The word of the LORD came again unto me" encourage you about God's ongoing communication with humanity?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's "word" coming to you, building upon previous revelations or understandings?**
* **How does the continuity of God's message, as implied by "again," impact your trust in His long-term plans for your life or for the world?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater attentiveness to God's voice in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why is the phrase "The word of the LORD came again unto me" so frequently repeated in prophetic books?**

Answer: This phrase, or similar variations, is a foundational prophetic formula used extensively throughout the Old Testament (e.g., in [Jeremiah 1:4](/jeremiah/1-4 "Jeremiah 1:4 - The Word of the Lord Came to Jeremiah"), [Hosea 1:1](/hosea/1-1 "Hosea 1:1 - The Word of the Lord That Came to Hosea"), [Joel 1:1](/joel/1-1 "Joel 1:1 - The Word of the Lord That Came to Joel")). Its repetition serves several critical purposes. Firstly, it emphatically establishes the **divine origin and authority** of the message that follows, ensuring that the audience understands these are not the prophet's personal opinions or insights but direct, authoritative pronouncements from Yahweh Himself. Secondly, it highlights the **prophet's role as a messenger**, not the originator of the message, thereby lending credibility and weight to the prophecy. Thirdly, the consistent use of this formula reinforces the **unity and coherence of God's ongoing revelation**, showing that God is actively speaking and guiding His people through history, as seen throughout the narrative from [Genesis](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") to the prophets. The addition of "again" in Ezekiel 37:15 specifically emphasizes the continuity and progression of God's specific messages to Ezekiel within the broader context of his prophetic ministry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 37:15, by re-emphasizing the direct and continuous nature of God's word to His prophet, points forward to the ultimate and final revelation of God in Jesus Christ. While God spoke "at various times and in various ways through the prophets" ([Hebrews 1:1](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1 - God Spoke Through Prophets")), in the "last days he has spoken to us by his Son" ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - God Spoke Through His Son")). Jesus is the living "Word of God" ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")), the perfect embodiment and expression of God's character and will. The continuity implied by "came again" in Ezekiel foreshadows the seamless progression from the Old Covenant promises to their fulfillment in Christ. The reunification of Israel and Judah, a key theme introduced after this verse, finds its ultimate spiritual fulfillment in the new covenant, where Christ breaks down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, creating "one new humanity" ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus not only speaks God's word but *is* God's saving word, bringing about a spiritual resurrection and unity far grander than any national restoration, gathering all who believe into His one body, the Church ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ the Head of the Church")).

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.