Ezekiel 37:1
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by His Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley, and it was full of bones.
The hand of the LORD
The phrase "the hand of the LORD" signifies divine power and authority. In Hebrew, "hand" (יָד, yad) often symbolizes strength and action. This expression indicates that Ezekiel is under the direct influence and guidance of God. Throughout Scripture, the "hand of the LORD" is associated with acts of deliverance, judgment, and prophetic revelation. It underscores God's active involvement in the affairs of His people and His sovereign control over history.

was upon me
This phrase suggests a personal and powerful encounter with God. The Hebrew word for "upon" (עַל, al) implies a resting or abiding presence. Ezekiel is not acting on his own initiative; rather, he is being moved and directed by God. This divine presence empowers Ezekiel to receive and communicate God's message. It is a reminder that true prophetic insight comes from being in close communion with God.

and He brought me out
The action of being "brought out" indicates a transition from one state or place to another. In Hebrew, the verb "brought" (יָצָא, yatsa) often conveys the idea of deliverance or leading forth. This movement is orchestrated by God, emphasizing His role as the initiator of revelation. It reflects the theme of God leading His people from captivity to freedom, a motif prevalent throughout the Bible.

by the Spirit of the LORD
The "Spirit of the LORD" (רוּחַ יְהוָה, Ruach Yahweh) is a central theme in Ezekiel's prophecies. The Spirit represents God's presence, power, and life-giving force. In this context, the Spirit is the means by which Ezekiel is transported and given vision. The Spirit's involvement highlights the supernatural nature of the revelation and the necessity of divine empowerment for understanding and proclaiming God's truth.

and set me
The act of being "set" implies intentional placement and purpose. The Hebrew verb (נוּחַ, nuach) can mean to rest or settle. God places Ezekiel in a specific location to reveal a particular message. This deliberate positioning underscores God's sovereignty and the purposeful nature of His revelations. It suggests that God has a specific plan and message for His people, which He communicates through His prophets.

in the middle of a valley
The "valley" (בִּקְעָה, biq'ah) is often a place of desolation or battle in biblical literature. Being in the "middle" of it suggests total immersion in the scene. Valleys can symbolize low points or challenges, but they are also places where God reveals His power and glory. This setting prepares Ezekiel for a vision of restoration and hope, as God often brings life and renewal out of desolation.

it was full of bones
The "bones" (עֲצָמוֹת, atzamot) represent death and hopelessness. In ancient Israel, bones were associated with the finality of death and the absence of life. The valley "full of bones" paints a picture of utter desolation and despair. However, this imagery sets the stage for a powerful demonstration of God's ability to bring life from death, a theme that resonates with the hope of resurrection and spiritual renewal found throughout Scripture.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the central figure in this vision. He is known for his vivid and symbolic visions.

2. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, Yahweh, who communicates with Ezekiel through visions and prophecies.

3. The Spirit of the LORD
The divine presence and power that guides Ezekiel, enabling him to experience this vision.

4. The Valley
A symbolic location representing a place of death and desolation, filled with dry bones, indicating the spiritual and physical state of Israel.

5. The Bones
Symbolic of the house of Israel, representing their hopelessness and spiritual death during the Babylonian exile.
Teaching Points
The Power of God's Spirit
The Spirit of the LORD is essential for transformation and renewal. Just as Ezekiel was led by the Spirit, believers must rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and empowerment.

Hope in Desolation
Even in the most hopeless situations, God can bring restoration and life. This vision encourages believers to trust in God's power to revive and restore.

Spiritual Awakening
The dry bones symbolize spiritual deadness. Believers are called to examine their spiritual state and seek revival through God's Word and Spirit.

God's Sovereignty and Plan
God's hand upon Ezekiel signifies His control and purpose. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God is sovereign and has a plan for their lives, even in difficult times.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of the valley of dry bones reflect the spiritual condition of Israel during the Babylonian exile?

2. In what ways can the power of the Holy Spirit bring life to areas of spiritual dryness in your own life?

3. How does the theme of resurrection in Ezekiel 37:1 connect with the New Testament understanding of resurrection and new life in Christ?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure you are being led by the Spirit of the LORD in your daily life?

5. How can the message of hope and restoration in Ezekiel 37:1 encourage you or someone you know who is facing a seemingly hopeless situation?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 2:7
The creation of man from dust and the breath of life parallels the theme of life from death, as God breathes life into the dry bones.

Jeremiah 29:11
God's promise of hope and a future for Israel connects with the restoration theme in Ezekiel's vision.

Romans 8:11
The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the same Spirit that can bring life to the dead bones, emphasizing the power of the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 20:12
The resurrection of the dead at the final judgment echoes the theme of resurrection and restoration found in Ezekiel's vision.
The Dry Bones and the Spirit of LifeAlexander MaclarenEzekiel 37:1
The Valley of DeathJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 37:1-3
From Death to LifeW. Clarkson Ezekiel 37:1-12
A Moral ResurrectionJ. Gill.Ezekiel 37:1-14
Can These Bones LiveT. P. Forsyth, D. D.Ezekiel 37:1-14
Ezekiel's VisionR. Watson.Ezekiel 37:1-14
Faith Refers All Possibility to GodC. G. Macgregor.Ezekiel 37:1-14
Lessons from the Valley of VisionT. D. Anderson, B. A.Ezekiel 37:1-14
The Restoration and Conversion of the JewsEzekiel 37:1-14
The Valley of Dry BonesSermons by the Monday ClubEzekiel 37:1-14
The Valley of Dry Bones and the True PreacherHomilistEzekiel 37:1-14
The Valley of the DeadG. S. Barrett, B. A.Ezekiel 37:1-14
The Vision of a True RevivalUrijah R. Thomas.Ezekiel 37:1-14
The Vision of Dry BonesD. Moore, M. A.Ezekiel 37:1-14
The Vision of Dry BonesJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 37:1-14
The Vision of the Dry BonesCanon Liddon.Ezekiel 37:1-14
People
Azariah, David, Ezekiel, Hosea, Israelites, Jacob, Joseph, Meshach
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Azariah, Bones, Carried, Forth, Full, Meshach, Middle, Midst, Spirit, Taketh, Valley
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 37:1

     1265   hand of God
     2230   Messiah, coming of
     3015   Holy Spirit, divinity
     3030   Holy Spirit, power
     7372   hands, laying on

Ezekiel 37:1-2

     1670   symbols

Ezekiel 37:1-14

     3290   Holy Spirit, life-giver
     4290   valleys
     5137   bones
     6139   deadness, spiritual
     8145   renewal, people of God
     9024   death, spiritual
     9313   resurrection, spiritual

Library
The Dry Bones and the Spirit of Life
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, 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. 3. And He said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, Thou knowest. 4. Again He said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5. Thus
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Come from the Four Winds, O Breath!
"Thou wilt say unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, 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 37:9. ACCORDING to some commentators, this vision in the valley of dry bones may refer to three forms of resurrection. Holy Scripture is so marvellously full of meaning, that one interpretation seldom exhausts its message to us. The chapter before us is an excellent example of this fact; and supplies
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892

1879-1880. Experiences among Indians --Picnic in the Bush --Distribution of Testaments --"Till He Come" --"A Home and a Hearty Welcome. "
Experiences among Indians--Picnic in the Bush--Distribution of Testaments--"Till He come"--"A Home and a hearty Welcome." Once more in Canada, Miss Macpherson records experience of an unusual kind:-- "In one of the large villages we visited, an all-day prayer-meeting was held from 9 A.M. to 9 P.M., which proved a season of rich blessing. We found openings for mission work all around, farmers and their families willing to gather and sit any length of time with Bible and hymn-book in hand. We feel
Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers

The Shepherd of Our Souls.
"I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep."--John x. 11. Our Lord here appropriates to Himself the title under which He had been foretold by the Prophets. "David My servant shall be king over them," says Almighty God by the mouth of Ezekiel: "and they all shall have one Shepherd." And in the book of Zechariah, "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts; smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered."
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

The Covenant of Grace
Q-20: DID GOD LEAVE ALL MANKIND TO PERISH 1N THE ESTATE OF SIN AND MISERY? A: No! He entered into a covenant of grace to deliver the elect out of that state, and to bring them into a state of grace by a Redeemer. 'I will make an everlasting covenant with you.' Isa 55:5. Man being by his fall plunged into a labyrinth of misery, and having no way left to recover himself, God was pleased to enter into a new covenant with him, and to restore him to life by a Redeemer. The great proposition I shall go
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Struggler;
CONTAINING THE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER IN WHICH MR. BUNYAN'S BOOKS WERE PUBLISHED, AND THE NUMBER OF EDITIONS THEY PASSED THROUGH DURING HIS LIFE. THIRTY REASONS WHY CHRISTIAN PEOPLE SHOULD PROMOTE THEIR CIRCULATION, AND THE STRUGGLER FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THESE LABOURS.--PUBLISHED IN 1691. BY CHARLES DOE, ONE OF MR. BUNYAN'S PERSONAL FRIENDS. A CATALOGUE-TABLE OF MR. BUNYAN'S BOOKS. AND THEIR SUCCESSION IN PUBLISHING, MOST ACCORDING TO HIS OWN RECKONING. Note.--Those that are in Italic letter are
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Let us Now Examine the Conditions under which a Revelation May be Expected To...
2. Let us now examine the conditions under which a revelation may be expected to be given to the original recipients. It may be observed in the first place that a revelation must possess some distinctive character. Even, if it should turn out that there is no such thing in reality at all, at least the notion which we form in our minds must possess such points of difference as to distinguish it from all other notions. It appears needful to bear this in mind, obvious though it is, because there
Samuel John Jerram—Thoughts on a Revelation

The Disciple, -- Master, Some People Say that the Comfort and Joy that Believers Experience...
The Disciple,--Master, some people say that the comfort and joy that believers experience are simply the outcome of their own thoughts and ideas. Is this true? The Master,--1. That comfort and abiding peace which believers have within themselves is due to My presence in their hearts, and to the life-giving influence of the fullness of the Holy Spirit. As for those who say that this spiritual joy is the result only of the thoughts of the heart, they are like a foolish man who was blind from his birth,
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet

How Shall the Soul Make Use of Christ, as the Life, which is under the Prevailing Power of Unbelief and Infidelity.
That we may help to give some clearing to a poor soul in this case, we shall, 1. See what are the several steps and degrees of this distemper. 2. Consider what the causes hereof are. 3. Shew how Christ is life to a soul in such a case; and, 4. Give some directions how a soul in that case should make use of Christ as the Life, to the end it may be delivered therefrom. And, first, There are many several steps to, and degrees of this distemper. We shall mention a few; as, 1. When they cannot come
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

What Messiah did the Jews Expect?
1. The most important point here is to keep in mind the organic unity of the Old Testament. Its predictions are not isolated, but features of one grand prophetic picture; its ritual and institutions parts of one great system; its history, not loosely connected events, but an organic development tending towards a definite end. Viewed in its innermost substance, the history of the Old Testament is not different from its typical institutions, nor yet these two from its predictions. The idea, underlying
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
Eighteen and a half centuries ago, and the land which now lies desolate--its bare, grey hills looking into ill-tilled or neglected valleys, its timber cut down, its olive- and vine-clad terraces crumbled into dust, its villages stricken with poverty and squalor, its thoroughfares insecure and deserted, its native population well-nigh gone, and with them its industry, wealth, and strength--presented a scene of beauty, richness, and busy life almost unsurpassed in the then known world. The Rabbis never
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, that we May Get Our Case and Condition Cleared up to Us.
The believer is oft complaining of darkness concerning his case and condition, so as he cannot tell what to say of himself, or what judgment to pass on himself, and he knoweth not how to win to a distinct and clear discovery of his state and condition. Now, it is truth alone, and the Truth, that can satisfy them as to this. The question then is, how they shall make use of, and apply themselves to this truth, to the end they may get the truth of their condition discovered to them. But first let us
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Prayer.
A man may pray night and day, and yet deceive himself; but no man can be assured of his sincerity who does not pray. Prayer is faith passing into act; a union of the will and the intellect realising in an intellectual act. It is the whole man that prays. Less than this is wishing, or lip-work; a charm or a mummery. PRAY ALWAYS, says the apostle: that is, have the habit of prayer, turning your thoughts into acts by connecting them with the idea of the redeeming God, and even so reconverting your
Samuel Taylor Coleridge—Confessions of an Inquiring Spirit etc

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit as Revealed in his Names.
At least twenty-five different names are used in the Old and New Testaments in speaking of the Holy Spirit. There is the deepest significance in these names. By the careful study of them, we find a wonderful revelation of the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. I. The Spirit. The simplest name by which the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Bible is that which stands at the head of this paragraph--"The Spirit." This name is also used as the basis of other names, so we begin our study with this.
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

Meditations of the Blessed State of the Regenerate Man after Death.
This estate has three degrees:--1st, From the day of death to the resurrection; 2d, From the resurrection to the pronouncing of the sentence; 3d, After the sentence, which lasts eternally. As soon as ever the regenerate man hath yielded up his soul to Christ, the holy angels take her into their custody, and immediately carry her into heaven (Luke xvi. 22), and there present her before Christ, where she is crowned with a crown of righteousness and glory; not which she hath deserved by her good works,
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
[In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it
John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

Greeks Seek Jesus. He Foretells that He Shall Draw all Men unto Him.
(in the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^D John XII. 20-50. ^d 20 Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast [The language indicates that they were Greek converts to Judaism, such as were called proselytes of the gate. It is also noted that as Gentiles came from the east at the beginning of Jesus' life, so they also came from the west at the close of his ministry]: 21 these therefore came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee [See p. 111. They were possibly
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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