Ezekiel 37:5

Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:

Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069} unto these bones {H6106}; Behold, I will cause breath {H7307} to enter {H935} into you, and ye shall live {H2421}:

To these bones Adonai ELOHIM says, "I will make breath enter you, and you will live.

This is what the Lord GOD says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will come to life.

Thus saith the Lord Jehovah unto these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live.

Commentary

Context

Ezekiel 37:5 is a pivotal statement within the dramatic vision of the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14). This vision was given to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, a period of immense despair and spiritual desolation for the Jewish people. They felt like a nation cut off, without hope, symbolized by bones that were "very dry" (Ezekiel 37:2). In this verse, the Lord GOD directly addresses these lifeless bones, initiating the miraculous process of their restoration and emphasizing His absolute power over life and death, both physically and spiritually.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Power: The phrase "Thus saith the Lord GOD" underscores God's ultimate authority and His ability to bring life out of absolute death. This verse highlights that only God can perform such a profound act of creation and restoration.
  • Restoration and Rebirth: The promise, "I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live," directly addresses the deep longing for national and spiritual renewal among the exiled Israelites. It signifies a complete revitalization, not just physical existence but a renewed covenant relationship and national identity.
  • Hope in Despair: For a people who felt utterly lost and without future, this declaration offers immense hope. It teaches that even in the most desperate and seemingly irreversible situations, God has the power to intervene and bring about new life.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses the word "breath" here, which translates the Hebrew word ruach (Χ¨Χ•ΦΌΧ—Φ·). This powerful word is multifaceted, meaning "wind," "breath," or "spirit." In this context, it carries the profound dual meaning of the life-giving breath necessary for physical animation and, more significantly, the life-imparting power of God's Spirit. It echoes the creation account where God breathed the breath of life into Adam, and foreshadows the spiritual regeneration promised by God to put His Spirit within His people.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 37:5 offers profound encouragement for individuals and communities today. It reminds us that:

  • No Situation is Hopeless for God: When facing personal despair, spiritual dryness, or seemingly insurmountable challenges, this verse assures us that God can bring life and renewal to even the most "dry bones" of our circumstances.
  • The Power of God's Spirit: Our spiritual vitality depends on the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit. Just as God breathed life into the bones, He can breathe new life into our faith, our relationships, and our churches.
  • God's Promises are True: This verse reaffirms God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to restore and empower His people, whether as a nation or as individual believers.
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Cross-References

  • Genesis 2:7

    And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

  • Ezekiel 37:14

    And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken [it], and performed [it], saith the LORD.

  • Psalms 104:29

    Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

  • Psalms 104:30

    Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

  • Ezekiel 37:9

    Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

  • Ezekiel 37:10

    So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

  • John 20:22

    And when he had said this, he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: