Ezekiel 37:4

KJV

Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Again he said {H559} unto me, Prophesy {H5012} upon these bones {H6106}, and say {H559} unto them, O ye dry {H3002} bones {H6106}, hear {H8085} the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he said to me, "Prophesy over these bones! Say to them, 'Dry bones! Hear what ADONAI has to say!

Berean Standard Bible

And He said to me, “Prophesy concerning these bones and tell them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!

American Standard Version

Again he said unto me, Prophesy over these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 37:4 stands at the precipice of one of Scripture's most vivid and profound visions, where the prophet Ezekiel is commanded by the LORD to prophesy to a valley full of dry bones. This pivotal instruction initiates a miraculous demonstration of God's sovereign power to restore life from utter desolation, symbolizing the spiritual and national rebirth of the exiled house of Israel. It underscores the transformative efficacy of God's spoken word, capable of bringing forth existence and vitality where none humanly remains, offering a powerful message of hope and divine faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the direct command from God to Ezekiel, following the prophet's initial awe-inspiring encounter with the vast, desolate valley of bones in [Ezekiel 37:1-3](/ezekiel/37-1 "Ezekiel 37:1-3 - The Valley of Dry Bones Introduction"). The preceding verses set the scene, emphasizing the extreme dryness and scattered nature of the bones, which highlights the utter hopelessness of the situation from a human perspective. God's question to Ezekiel in [Ezekiel 37:3](/ezekiel/37-3 "Ezekiel 37:3 - Can These Bones Live?") ("Son of man, can these bones live?") serves to underscore the human impossibility and prepare for the divine answer that follows in verse 4. The subsequent verses ([Ezekiel 37:5-10](/ezekiel/37-5 "Ezekiel 37:5-10 - The Resurrection of the Bones")) detail the step-by-step process of the bones coming together, being covered with flesh and sinews, and finally receiving breath, all in direct response to Ezekiel's prophetic utterance, culminating in a vast army.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile (597-538 BC), a period of profound national and spiritual despair for the Jewish people. Jerusalem had been destroyed, the Temple lay in ruins, and the people were scattered in a foreign land. They felt utterly cut off from their homeland, their God, and their covenant promises, as expressed in [Ezekiel 37:11](/ezekiel/37-11 "Ezekiel 37:11 - Israel's Despair") ("Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off"). The imagery of "dry bones" would have resonated deeply with their sense of national death and spiritual lifelessness. The vision served as a direct divine counter-narrative to their hopelessness, promising a future restoration that defied all human logic and experience, a return to their land, and a spiritual renewal.
* **Key Themes:** [Ezekiel chapter 37](/ezekiel/37 "Ezekiel 37 - The Vision of the Dry Bones") is rich with theological themes, and verse 4 is central to several. Foremost is the **Sovereignty and Power of God**, particularly His ability to bring life out of death, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, from creation in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") to resurrection in the New Testament. Another crucial theme is the **Efficacy of God's Word**: the command to "prophesy" emphasizes that God's word is not merely informative but performative and creative, capable of accomplishing what it declares ([Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")). The vision also highlights **Divine Restoration and Spiritual Rebirth**, portraying Israel's national and spiritual revival as a miraculous act of God, a new creation. Finally, it underscores the importance of **Prophetic Obedience**, as Ezekiel's faithful act of speaking God's word, despite the apparent absurdity, is the catalyst for the miracle.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prophesy (Hebrew, _nâbâ'_ H5012):** This primitive root means "to speak (or sing) by inspiration," indicating a divine utterance, not merely a human prediction. In this context, Ezekiel is not just foretelling but "forth-telling" God's creative and life-giving word directly to the inanimate, emphasizing the active, authoritative, and transformative nature of the divine message. It implies speaking on behalf of God, with His authority and power.
* **Dry (Hebrew, _yâbêsh'_ H3002):** Derived from a root meaning "to dry," this adjective describes the bones as utterly devoid of moisture, life, or any natural possibility of revival. The repeated emphasis on "dry" and "very dry" (from [Ezekiel 37:2](/ezekiel/37-2 "Ezekiel 37:2 - Bones Very Dry")) intensifies the state of desolation, making the subsequent miracle of reanimation all the more astounding and clearly attributable to divine intervention alone.
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_ H1697):** This multifaceted noun refers to a "word," "matter," "thing," "affair," or "decree." Here, "the word of the LORD" signifies God's authoritative, spoken command and declaration. It carries the weight of His creative power and His covenant faithfulness, being the very instrument through which life is restored. It's not just information but a potent, active force.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_ H3068):** This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often rendered "Jehovah" or "Yahweh," signifying "the self-Existent" or "Eternal One." Its use here emphasizes that the power to restore life belongs solely to the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is eternally present and capable of fulfilling His promises, even when His people are in a state of utter despair.
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_ H8085):** This primitive root means "to hear intelligently," often implying "attention" and "obedience." While seemingly directed at inanimate bones, the command "hear the word of the LORD" underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all creation. It suggests that even lifeless matter is subject to His divine decree and capable of responding to His authoritative voice, highlighting the ultimate power of God's command.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Again he said unto me,"**: This phrase emphasizes the direct, repeated, and personal nature of God's instruction to Ezekiel, highlighting the divine initiative behind the vision and the prophet's role as a direct recipient of God's will. It signals a continuation of the divine dialogue initiated in the preceding verses.
* **"Prophesy upon these bones,"**: This is the core command. Ezekiel is not merely to observe or report but to actively speak God's word directly to the inanimate, lifeless bones. This act of "prophesying" is a performative utterance, a declaration of God's will that will bring about the promised reality. It signifies the prophet's obedient participation in God's miraculous work.
* **"and say unto them,"**: This further specifies the direct address. The bones, though dead, are to be treated as an audience capable of receiving and responding to the divine message, underscoring the extraordinary nature of God's power to transcend natural limitations.
* **"O ye dry bones,"**: This direct address to the bones reiterates their state of utter lifelessness and decay, amplifying the dramatic contrast with the life that is about to be commanded. The vocative "O ye" lends a sense of urgency and directness to the divine summons.
* **"hear the word of the LORD."**: This climactic command is the essence of the verse. It asserts the absolute authority and power of God's word over even the most desolate circumstances. The bones are commanded to "hear" not with physical ears, but to respond to the life-giving, creative power inherent in the divine utterance of "the LORD" (Yahweh), the self-existent and covenant-keeping God.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 37:4 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the "dry bones" are a powerful symbol for the spiritually and nationally dead house of Israel in exile. Their extreme dryness emphasizes the utter hopelessness of their condition from a human perspective, making the divine intervention all the more striking. **Personification** is also central, as the inanimate "dry bones" are commanded to "hear the word of the LORD." This imbues them with a responsive capacity, highlighting God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His ability to command even the lifeless into action. Furthermore, the passage utilizes **Divine Command** or **Fiat**, where God's spoken word ("Prophesy," "say unto them," "hear the word") is the direct instrument of creation and transformation. This echoes the creative acts in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"), where God speaks and it is so, underscoring the inherent power and efficacy of God's voice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 37:4 is a profound theological statement on the life-giving power of God's word and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. It teaches that no situation, however dire or seemingly beyond hope, is outside the restorative power of the Almighty. The vision of the dry bones serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual death and subsequent spiritual rebirth, applicable not only to national Israel but also to individual lives and communities. It underscores that true revival and transformation originate not from human effort or natural processes, but from the sovereign, creative, and authoritative utterance of the LORD. This divine act of breathing life into the dead foreshadows the New Testament concept of new creation and spiritual regeneration through the Holy Spirit.

* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose"): "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
* [John 5:25](/john/5-25 "John 5:25 - The Dead Will Hear the Voice of the Son of God"): "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live."
* [Romans 4:17](/romans/4-17 "Romans 4:17 - God Calls Things That Are Not As Though They Were"): "(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 37:4 offers a powerful and enduring message of hope and divine capability for all generations. In moments of personal despair, when circumstances feel like a valley of "dry bones"—whether it be a broken relationship, a lost dream, a spiritual wilderness, or a seemingly insurmountable challenge—this verse reminds us that no situation is beyond the reach of God's life-giving power. It calls us to shift our perspective from human impossibility to divine possibility, trusting in the transformative efficacy of God's word. Our role, like Ezekiel's, is to faithfully speak, hear, and believe that word, even when it defies logic or visible evidence. This passage encourages active faith, prompting us to proclaim God's promises over seemingly dead areas of our lives, confident that His word, like a seed, contains the power to bring forth life, renewal, and restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "dry bones" currently exist in your life, community, or circumstances that seem beyond hope?**
* **How does the command for Ezekiel to "prophesy" encourage you to speak God's truth into your own seemingly lifeless situations?**
* **In what ways can you more intentionally "hear the word of the LORD" and allow it to transform your perspective and circumstances?**
* **How does this vision challenge your understanding of God's power and His ability to bring life out of death?**

### FAQ
**What do the "dry bones" in Ezekiel 37:4 symbolize?**

Answer: The "dry bones" in [Ezekiel 37:4](/ezekiel/37-4 "Ezekiel 37:4 - Prophesy to Dry Bones") and the broader vision of [Ezekiel chapter 37](/ezekiel/37 "Ezekiel 37 - The Vision of the Dry Bones") primarily symbolize the nation of Israel during their Babylonian exile. They represent the people's profound sense of national death, spiritual lifelessness, and utter hopelessness after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. The "dryness" emphasizes the complete absence of any natural possibility for revival, highlighting that only a miraculous act of God could restore them.

**How does God's word bring life to the dry bones?**

Answer: God's word brings life to the dry bones through its inherent creative and performative power. As seen in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"), God speaks, and creation comes into being. Similarly, in [Ezekiel 37:4](/ezekiel/37-4 "Ezekiel 37:4 - Prophesy to Dry Bones"), the command to "Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them... hear the word of the LORD" demonstrates that God's spoken word is not merely informative but actively brings about what it declares. It is the divine decree, uttered through His prophet, that initiates the process of reanimation, signifying that life and spiritual renewal flow directly from God's authoritative voice.

**What is Ezekiel's role in this vision, particularly in verse 4?**

Answer: Ezekiel's role in [Ezekiel 37:4](/ezekiel/37-4 "Ezekiel 37:4 - Prophesy to Dry Bones") is crucial yet secondary to God's power. He acts as God's obedient messenger and instrument. He is commanded to "prophesy" and "say unto them," meaning he is to articulate God's word directly to the bones. His obedience in speaking God's seemingly absurd command is the human catalyst through which the divine miracle unfolds. This highlights the importance of prophetic faithfulness and the principle that God often chooses to work through human agents who faithfully proclaim His word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The life-giving command in Ezekiel 37:4, where dry bones are told to "hear the word of the LORD," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the living "Word of God" ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")), through whom all things were made and by whom all things are sustained. Just as God commanded life into the dead bones, Jesus, as the Son of God, possesses the inherent power to raise the dead, both physically and spiritually. His voice, the very "word of the Son of God," is what causes those who are spiritually dead in their sins to "hear" and "live" ([John 5:25](/john/5-25 "John 5:25 - The Dead Will Hear the Voice of the Son of God")). The promise of new life and the indwelling of the Spirit in Ezekiel 37:14, where God puts His Spirit in them, is fully realized in the New Covenant through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus promised and sent ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit"); [Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost")). Thus, the resurrection of the dry bones ultimately points to Christ's victory over death and sin, offering spiritual rebirth and eternal life to all who hear and believe His life-giving word ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ"); [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

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

John 5:25

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

John 5:28

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

John 5:29

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Matthew 21:21

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Ezekiel 36:1

¶ Also, thou son of man, prophesy unto the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD:

Jeremiah 22:29

O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

Isaiah 26:19

Thy dead [men] shall live, [together with] my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew [is as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.