Ezekiel 37:4 - Again he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them, ‘You dry bones, hear Yahweh’s word.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Ezekiel 37:4" mean?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the vision of the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37. Let's break down what it means:
"Again he said to me...": This indicates that God (Yahweh) is the one speaking to Ezekiel. God had already shown Ezekiel the valley filled with dry bones and asked him a question (Ezekiel 37:3). This "again" implies a continuation of the divine communication.
"Prophesy over these bones...": This is a direct command from God to Ezekiel. "Prophesy" means to speak God's word, to deliver a divine message. Ezekiel is instructed to speak not just about the bones, but to them. This is unusual because the bones are dead, lifeless, and seemingly incapable of hearing or understanding.
"...and tell them, ‘You dry bones, hear Yahweh’s word.’": This is the specific message Ezekiel is to deliver. The phrase "You dry bones" emphasizes the hopelessness of the situation. These are not just bones, but dry, old bones that have been lying in the valley for a long time.
"hear Yahweh's word": This is the core of the prophecy. Ezekiel is commanding the bones to listen to God's message. Hearing, in the Old Testament, is more than just auditory perception. It implies understanding, accepting, and obeying. The implication is that even in their state of death, the bones are being given an opportunity to respond to God's word.
In essence, this verse means:
God commands Ezekiel to speak His word to the seemingly lifeless and hopeless situation represented by the dry bones. He is to tell them to listen to and obey God's message, despite their apparent inability to do so.
Significance and Interpretation:
This verse is crucial because it highlights the power of God's word to bring life to what is dead and to restore hope to seemingly hopeless situations. It sets the stage for the remarkable transformation that follows in the rest of the vision, where the bones come together, are covered with flesh, and are filled with breath.
The vision itself is generally interpreted as a metaphor for:
The restoration of Israel: The Israelites were in exile, feeling spiritually dead and hopeless. The vision promised that God would restore them to their land and renew their covenant with them.
Spiritual resurrection: More broadly, the vision can represent the spiritual renewal and restoration that God can bring to individuals and communities who feel lost and lifeless.
The power of God's word: The act of prophesying and the command to "hear Yahweh's word" emphasizes the central role of God's word in bringing about transformation and new life.
The verse underscores the idea that even in the face of death and despair, God's word has the power to bring about radical change and resurrection.
Ezekiel 37:4 - Again he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them, ‘You dry bones, hear Yahweh’s word.
What does "Ezekiel 37:4" mean?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the vision of the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37. Let's break down what it means:
"Again he said to me...": This indicates that God (Yahweh) is the one speaking to Ezekiel. God had already shown Ezekiel the valley filled with dry bones and asked him a question (Ezekiel 37:3). This "again" implies a continuation of the divine communication.
"Prophesy over these bones...": This is a direct command from God to Ezekiel. "Prophesy" means to speak God's word, to deliver a divine message. Ezekiel is instructed to speak not just about the bones, but to them. This is unusual because the bones are dead, lifeless, and seemingly incapable of hearing or understanding.
"...and tell them, ‘You dry bones, hear Yahweh’s word.’": This is the specific message Ezekiel is to deliver. The phrase "You dry bones" emphasizes the hopelessness of the situation. These are not just bones, but dry, old bones that have been lying in the valley for a long time.
"hear Yahweh's word": This is the core of the prophecy. Ezekiel is commanding the bones to listen to God's message. Hearing, in the Old Testament, is more than just auditory perception. It implies understanding, accepting, and obeying. The implication is that even in their state of death, the bones are being given an opportunity to respond to God's word.
In essence, this verse means:
God commands Ezekiel to speak His word to the seemingly lifeless and hopeless situation represented by the dry bones. He is to tell them to listen to and obey God's message, despite their apparent inability to do so.
Significance and Interpretation:
This verse is crucial because it highlights the power of God's word to bring life to what is dead and to restore hope to seemingly hopeless situations. It sets the stage for the remarkable transformation that follows in the rest of the vision, where the bones come together, are covered with flesh, and are filled with breath.
The vision itself is generally interpreted as a metaphor for:
The restoration of Israel: The Israelites were in exile, feeling spiritually dead and hopeless. The vision promised that God would restore them to their land and renew their covenant with them.
Spiritual resurrection: More broadly, the vision can represent the spiritual renewal and restoration that God can bring to individuals and communities who feel lost and lifeless.
The power of God's word: The act of prophesying and the command to "hear Yahweh's word" emphasizes the central role of God's word in bringing about transformation and new life.
The verse underscores the idea that even in the face of death and despair, God's word has the power to bring about radical change and resurrection.