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.

Then said {H559} he unto me, Prophesy {H5012} unto the wind {H7307}, prophesy {H5012}, son {H1121} of man {H120}, and say {H559} to the wind {H7307}, Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Come {H935} from the four {H702} winds {H7307}, O breath {H7307}, and breathe {H5301} upon these slain {H2026}, that they may live {H2421}.

Next he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath! Prophesy, human being! Say to the breath that Adonai ELOHIM says, 'Come from the four winds, breath; and breathe on these slain, so that they can live.'"

Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and tell the breath that this is what the Lord GOD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, so that they may live!”

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

Ezekiel 37:9 is a pivotal verse in the dramatic vision of the valley of dry bones, illustrating God's immense power to bring life out of utter desolation. Following the prophet Ezekiel's initial prophecy that caused bones to reassemble and be covered with flesh, this verse describes the crucial next step: the infusion of life.

Context of Ezekiel 37:9

This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14). At this point, the bones have already come together and been covered with sinews, flesh, and skin, but "there was no breath in them" (Ezekiel 37:8). The vision served as a powerful message of hope and restoration for the exiled Israelites, who felt their national identity and future were as dead as the scattered, sun-bleached bones. God commands Ezekiel to prophesy specifically to the "wind" or "breath," signifying the divine life-giving force needed to animate the lifeless forms.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Power Over Death: The verse powerfully demonstrates God's unique ability to resurrect and vitalize what is utterly lifeless. It underscores that true life, both physical and spiritual, originates solely from Him.
  • The Role of the Spirit (`Ruach`): The "wind" or "breath" is explicitly called upon to enter the "slain" so "that they may live." This points to the essential role of God's Spirit in bringing about life, revival, and spiritual transformation. It is the divine force that animates and empowers.
  • Hope for National Restoration: For the original audience, this vision represented God's promise to restore Israel from their spiritual and national death in exile, bringing them back to their land and renewing their covenant relationship. It was a profound message of hope against despair.
  • Prophetic Authority: Ezekiel's act of prophesying at God's command highlights the power of God's spoken word, through His chosen instruments, to enact His will in the world.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word central to this verse is ruach (רוּחַ). It is translated as "wind," "breath," and "spirit" within this very chapter, illustrating its multifaceted meaning. In Ezekiel 37:9, God commands Ezekiel to prophesy "unto the wind" (ruach) and for "breath" (ruach) to come. This deliberate play on words emphasizes that the life-giving force is none other than the Spirit of God. Just as God breathed the breath of life into Adam, here He commands the divine ruach to animate the vast army of revived bones.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 37:9 offers profound encouragement today, reminding us that no situation is too dead or hopeless for God's intervention. Whether facing personal despair, spiritual apathy, or seemingly insurmountable challenges, this verse assures us that God's Spirit has the power to bring about renewal, healing, and life. It calls believers to trust in God's ability to resurrect dead dreams, restore broken lives, and bring spiritual revival to individuals and communities. Just as the dry bones needed the breath of God, so too do we rely on the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to live a vibrant, Spirit-filled life.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 3:8

    The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

  • Song Of Solomon 4:16

    Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, [that] the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

  • Ezekiel 37:5

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

  • 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 104:30

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

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