What does Ezekiel 37:4 mean?
"Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD." - Ezekiel 37:4
Ezekiel 37:4 - "Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD."
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."
This verse comes from the book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament, and it is part of a vision that the prophet Ezekiel receives from God. In this vision, Ezekiel finds himself in a valley filled with dry bones, and God instructs him to prophesy onto these bones, calling them to hear the word of the Lord.
The context of this passage is important to understand its meaning and significance. The book of Ezekiel is set during the Babylonian exile, a time of great despair and hopelessness for the Israelites. The people of Israel had been taken captive by the Babylonians, their city and temple destroyed, and they were left feeling spiritually and emotionally dry, like the bones Ezekiel sees in his vision.
The vision of the dry bones is a powerful metaphor for the spiritual and physical desolation of the Israelites. The people had lost hope and felt utterly defeated, much like the lifeless bones scattered in the valley. However, God's message to Ezekiel in this vision is one of hope and restoration. By instructing Ezekiel to prophesy onto the dry bones, God is demonstrating his power to bring life and renewal to a seemingly hopeless situation.
The theme of resurrection and renewal is central to this passage. The image of dry bones coming back to life at the prophetic word of Ezekiel symbolizes the power of God to bring new life to his people, even in the midst of despair and destruction. This theme is echoed throughout the Bible, particularly in the New Testament with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which brings hope and new life to all who believe in him.
Additionally, the command for Ezekiel to prophesy onto the bones is a powerful reminder of the importance of speaking God's word in the midst of despair. Even when circumstances seem dire and hopeless, God's word has the power to bring life and transformation. This theme of the power of God's word is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of faith and trust in God's promises, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
The symbolism in this verse is rich and profound. The dry bones represent the spiritual and emotional desolation of the Israelites, but they also serve as a universal symbol of human brokenness and despair. The act of prophesying onto the bones represents the power of God's word to bring hope and restoration to all who are spiritually dead or desolate. The vision ultimately points to the promise of resurrection and new life through faith in God.
In conclusion, Ezekiel 37:4 is a powerful and impactful passage that speaks to the universal human experience of despair and hopelessness, and the transformative power of God's word to bring new life and renewal. It offers a message of hope and restoration, emphasizing the importance of faith and trust in God's promises, even in the darkest of times. This verse continues to inspire and encourage believers to hold onto hope and speak God's word into their own lives and the lives of others, trusting in the power of resurrection and renewal through Christ.
Ezekiel 37:4 Artwork
Ezekiel 37:4 - "Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD."
Ezekiel 37:1-10 – The valley of dry bones.
Ezekiel 37:1-10 – The vision of the valley of dry bones.
Ezekiel 37:1-10 – The vision of the valley of dry bones.
Ezekiel 37:15 - "¶ The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 37:20 - "¶ And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes."
Ezekiel 37:27 - "My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Ezekiel 37:17 - "And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand."
Ezekiel 20:37 - "And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:"
John 4:37 - "And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth."
Exodus 37:4 - "And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold."
Acts 4:37 - "Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet."
Luke 4:37 - "And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about."
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 37:28 - "And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore."
Mark 4:37 - "And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full."
Ezekiel 37:8 - "And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them."
Ezekiel 37:3 - "And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest."
Ezekiel 37:7 - "So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone."
Ezekiel 37:2 - "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."
Ezekiel 37:18 - "¶ And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?"
Ezekiel 37:1 - "The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,"
Psalms 37:4 - "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
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."
Jeremiah 37:4 - "Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people: for they had not put him into prison."
Ezekiel 36:37 - "Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock."
1 Chronicles 4:37 - "And Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah;"
Ezekiel 1:4-28 – The vision of the four living creatures and the wheels.
Ezekiel 1:4-28 – The vision of the four living creatures and the wheels.
Ezekiel 1:4-28 – The vision of the four living creatures and the wheels.