Ezekiel 37:2

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.

And caused me to pass {H5674} by them round about {H5439}: and, behold, there were very {H3966} many {H7227} in the open {H6440} valley {H1237}; and, lo, they were very {H3966} dry {H3002}.

He had me pass by all around them - there were so many bones lying in the valley, and they were so dry!

He led me all around among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, and indeed, they were very dry.

And he caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.

Commentary

Ezekiel 37:2 (KJV) is a vivid and stark description of the prophet Ezekiel's initial observation in the famous vision of the valley of dry bones. This verse sets the scene for one of the Bible's most powerful prophecies of restoration and spiritual renewal.

Context

This verse is part of the dramatic vision found in Ezekiel chapter 37, where the prophet is transported by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with human bones. The historical context is crucial: the people of Israel were in Babylonian exile, feeling utterly hopeless and cut off from God, much like dry bones with no future (Ezekiel 37:11). God's purpose in this vision was to convey a message of hope and resurrection, demonstrating His power to bring life out of death, both spiritually and nationally.

Key Themes

  • Profound Desolation: The imagery of "very many" bones scattered "in the open valley" speaks to an immense tragedy and widespread death. The phrase "very dry" emphasizes the absolute lack of life, moisture, or hope. This represents the spiritual and national condition of Israel during their exileโ€”a state of utter despair and perceived lifelessness.
  • Divine Guidance: God "caused me to pass by them round about," indicating that Ezekiel's observation was not accidental but a divinely orchestrated tour. This highlights God's intentional revelation of Israel's dire state to His prophet, preparing him for the miraculous intervention that would follow.
  • The Extent of Spiritual Death: The dryness of the bones signifies that death was not recent but long-standing and complete. There was no natural possibility of life returning, underscoring the magnitude of God's future act of revival.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "very dry" is yabesh me'od (ื™ึธื‘ึตืฉื ืžึฐืึนื“). The word yabesh means "dry" or "withered," and me'od means "very" or "exceedingly." The repetition and emphasis convey a state of extreme aridity and complete lack of vitality. This isn't just a little dry; it's profoundly, utterly dry, signifying the impossibility of natural restoration and highlighting the need for a supernatural act of God.

Practical Application

Ezekiel's vision, beginning with this stark observation, offers profound lessons for today. It speaks to situations of extreme hopelessness, whether personal, communal, or spiritual. When circumstances seem utterly dead and beyond repair, like "very dry bones," this verse reminds us that God is capable of bringing life where there is none. It encourages us to look beyond apparent impossibilities and trust in God's power to restore and revive, as He promised to put His Spirit in us and bring us to life. This vision is a powerful testament to God's restorative power and His covenant faithfulness.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 141:7

    Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth [wood] upon the earth.

  • Ezekiel 37:11

    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.

  • Deuteronomy 11:30

    [Are] they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?