Ezekiel 37:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 37:2 offers a stark and vivid description of the prophet's initial, divinely orchestrated observation within the valley of dry bones, presenting a scene of overwhelming desolation. This verse establishes the grim reality of countless, utterly lifeless human bones scattered across an expansive, open plain, underscoring the profound spiritual and national death of Israel in exile and setting the stage for God's miraculous demonstration of resurrection and restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [Ezekiel 37:1](/ezekiel/37-1 "Ezekiel 37:1 - The Hand of the Lord upon Ezekiel"), where the Spirit of the Lord transports Ezekiel to a valley. It serves as the crucial descriptive foundation for the entire vision of the dry bones, which spans the first fourteen verses of [Ezekiel 37](/ezekiel/37 "Ezekiel 37 - The Valley of Dry Bones"). The initial observation of the "very many" and "very dry" bones establishes the seemingly insurmountable problem that God is about to address, building dramatic tension and highlighting the magnitude of the divine intervention to follow. This detailed scene-setting prepares the reader for the subsequent prophetic command to speak to the bones in [Ezekiel 37:4](/ezekiel/37-4 "Ezekiel 37:4 - Prophesy to the Bones").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Ezekiel's prophecy is the Babylonian exile, a period of immense national trauma for the people of Judah. Jerusalem had fallen, the Temple was destroyed, and the people were forcibly removed from their homeland. This experience led to profound despair and a sense of abandonment by God, encapsulated in their 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 in Exile")). The imagery of dry bones would have resonated deeply with a people who felt like a scattered, lifeless corpse, devoid of any future or national identity. The open valley might also evoke ancient battlefields where the unburied dead would be exposed, further emphasizing the complete ruin and dishonor.

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 37:2 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and this specific chapter. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Profound Desolation and Spiritual Death**, vividly portraying the extent of Israel's hopelessness and perceived lifelessness in exile. Secondly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Guidance**, as Ezekiel's observation is not accidental but a divinely orchestrated tour, emphasizing God's intentional revelation of their dire state. This prepares for the third major theme: **God's Power to Restore and Revive**. The utter dryness of the bones ([Ezekiel 37:2](/ezekiel/37-2 "Ezekiel 37:2 - The Dryness of the Bones")) makes any natural restoration impossible, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of God's promise to bring them back to life and return them to their land, as detailed in [Ezekiel 37:12-14](/ezekiel/37-12 "Ezekiel 37:12 - God Opens Graves") and [Ezekiel 37:14](/ezekiel/37-14 "Ezekiel 37:14 - God's Spirit Brings Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **pass (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** From H5674, a primitive root meaning "to cross over," used widely for any transition. Here, it denotes Ezekiel's guided movement through the valley, indicating a deliberate and comprehensive survey of the scene. This is not a casual glance but an intentional, divinely directed inspection.
* **valley (Hebrew, _biqʻâh'_):** From H1237, properly a "split," referring to a wide level valley between mountains or a plain. This term suggests an expansive, open area, emphasizing the vastness of the desolation and the immense number of bones scattered across it. It implies a scene laid bare, with nothing hidden.
* **dry (Hebrew, _yâbêsh'_):** From H3002, meaning "dry" or "dried away." This word, coupled with the intensive "very" (mᵉʼôd), highlights the absolute lack of life, moisture, or vitality. It signifies a state of complete and long-standing death, rendering any natural restoration impossible and underscoring the need for a supernatural act.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And caused me to pass by them round about":** This phrase emphasizes God's active role in guiding Ezekiel's observation. The prophet is not merely stumbling upon the scene but is intentionally led by the Spirit to fully comprehend the extent of the desolation. The phrase "round about" indicates a thorough, comprehensive survey, ensuring Ezekiel witnesses every aspect of the valley's condition.
* **"and, behold, [there were] very many in the open valley":** The interjection "behold" (Hebrew: *hinnēh*) draws immediate attention to the shocking sight. The sheer quantity of bones ("very many") underscores the immense scale of the catastrophe, suggesting a massive loss of life. The "open valley" (Hebrew: *biqʻâh pânîym*) implies a wide, exposed plain, making the desolation impossible to ignore and emphasizing the public, undeniable nature of Israel's spiritual death.
* **"and, lo, [they were] very dry":** The second interjection "lo" (Hebrew: *wᵉhinnēh*) further intensifies the description, focusing on the quality of the bones. The repetition of "very" (Hebrew: *mᵉʼôd*) preceding "dry" (Hebrew: *yâbêsh*) is a superlative, emphasizing the extreme aridity and complete lack of life. This is not merely dry, but utterly, profoundly dry, signifying that death was not recent but long-standing and complete, leaving no natural possibility for revival.

#### Literary Devices
The imagery in Ezekiel 37:2 is rich with literary devices. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the "very many" and "very dry" bones in the "open valley" symbolize the state of the exiled nation of Israel. These bones represent their profound spiritual and national death, their loss of hope, and their perceived inability to be restored. The **Repetition** of "very" (mᵉʼôd) before "many" and "dry" serves as an **Intensifier**, underscoring the overwhelming quantity and the absolute lifelessness of the bones, thereby magnifying the despair of the people and the magnitude of the miracle to follow. The use of **Vivid Imagery** creates a stark and unforgettable scene, allowing the reader to viscerally experience the desolation Ezekiel observes, making the subsequent prophecy of restoration all the more impactful. The repeated interjections, "behold" and "lo," function as **Exclamations** or **Attention-Grabbers**, drawing the reader into the prophet's immediate, shocking realization of the scene's grim reality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 37:2 lays the groundwork for a profound theological truth: God's power to bring life out of absolute death. The utter hopelessness depicted in the dry bones serves as a stark canvas upon which God demonstrates His sovereign ability to restore what is seemingly beyond repair. This verse highlights that human despair, no matter how deep, is never a barrier to divine intervention. It underscores the theme of **resurrection**, not just in a physical sense, but also in terms of national and spiritual revival. The scene powerfully illustrates that true life and hope originate solely from God's Spirit and His word, not from any inherent vitality or human effort. It challenges the notion that any situation is too "dry" for God to breathe life into.

* [Deuteronomy 32:39](/deuteronomy/32-39 "Deuteronomy 32:39 - God Kills and Makes Alive")
* [Psalm 141:7](/psalm/141-7 "Psalm 141:7 - Bones Scattered at the Grave's Mouth")
* [Romans 4:17](/romans/4-17 "Romans 4:17 - God Who Gives Life to the Dead")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel's initial observation of the "very many" and "very dry" bones in the valley offers a powerful point of reflection for contemporary believers. It confronts us with the reality of profound spiritual and existential desolation, whether in our personal lives, our communities, or even in the broader world. When we face circumstances that appear utterly lifeless, devoid of hope, and beyond any natural possibility of restoration, this verse calls us to remember the magnitude of God's power. It challenges us to move beyond a human-centric view of what is possible and to cultivate a faith that trusts in God's capacity to bring revival where only death is evident. Just as God intentionally showed Ezekiel the full extent of the desolation, He often allows us to perceive the depth of our brokenness or the hopelessness of a situation so that His subsequent work of restoration might be fully appreciated as a divine miracle, not a human achievement. This verse encourages us to bring our "dry bones" — our deepest fears, our lost hopes, our seemingly dead dreams or relationships — before the Lord, anticipating His life-giving breath.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "dry bones" in your life or in the world around you seem utterly beyond hope or restoration?**
* **How does the imagery of "very dry" bones challenge your understanding of God's power and sovereignty?**
* **In what ways might God be "causing you to pass by" a difficult situation to reveal its true condition before He acts?**

### FAQ
**Why does Ezekiel emphasize the bones were "very dry"?**

Answer: The emphasis on the bones being "very dry" (Hebrew: *yâbêsh mᵉʼôd*) is crucial because it signifies a state of complete and long-standing death, far beyond any natural possibility of revival. It highlights that the death was not recent, where some moisture or life might still linger, but absolute. This extreme aridity serves to magnify the miraculous nature of God's subsequent act of restoration, demonstrating that only a divine, supernatural intervention could bring life back to such a desolate scene. It underscores the hopelessness of Israel's situation in exile, as described in [Ezekiel 37:11](/ezekiel/37-11 "Ezekiel 37:11 - Israel's Despair"), making God's promise of renewal all the more powerful.

**What does "open valley" signify in this context?**

Answer: The "open valley" (Hebrew: *biqʻâh pânîym*) signifies an expansive, exposed plain, suggesting a scene of widespread and undeniable desolation. It implies that the death and decay were not hidden but laid bare for all to see, emphasizing the public and profound nature of Israel's spiritual and national demise during the Babylonian exile. This setting allows for a comprehensive view of the "very many" bones, highlighting the immense scale of the tragedy and the complete ruin of the nation. It also serves as a public stage for God's dramatic demonstration of His power to restore life, as He promises to "open your graves and raise you from your graves" in [Ezekiel 37:12](/ezekiel/37-12 "Ezekiel 37:12 - God Opens Graves").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 37:2 describes the desolation of Israel in exile, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the profound spiritual death from which humanity is rescued through Jesus Christ. The "very dry bones" represent not merely a nation's physical and spiritual demise, but the universal human condition of being "dead in trespasses and sins" ([Ephesians 2:1](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1 - Dead in Sins")). Just as God caused Ezekiel to survey the utter hopelessness of the valley, so too the Holy Spirit convicts humanity of its spiritual lifelessness, revealing our inability to generate life from within ourselves. Christ's resurrection from the dead ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection")) is the ultimate demonstration of God's power to bring life out of absolute death, fulfilling the promise foreshadowed in Ezekiel's vision. Through faith in Him, those who were spiritually "very dry" are made alive together with Christ ([Ephesians 2:5](/ephesians/2-5 "Ephesians 2:5 - Made Alive with Christ")), receiving the indwelling Spirit who gives new life ([John 3:5-8](/john/3-5 "John 3:5 - Born of Water and the Spirit")). The valley of dry bones, therefore, prefigures the spiritual resurrection experienced by every believer, a testament to the life-giving power of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and the Spirit who breathes life into the spiritually dead.

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

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?