Read & explore together

The Valley of Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37:1–14 gives a striking prophetic picture of hopelessness changed by Yahweh’s word and Spirit. The passage itself explains its meaning, so we can read it as prophecy and teaching about what Yahweh says he will do for his people.

Ezekiel 37:1–14Older students and adultsProphecy and teaching

A watchtower and scroll, symbolic companion artwork for prophetic readings

Understanding the passage

The setting of this message

In this passage, Ezekiel is carried by Yahweh’s Spirit into a valley full of very dry bones. Yahweh questions him, commands him to prophesy, and then explains that the bones represent the whole house of Israel, who say their hope is lost. Yahweh answers that despair with his own promise.

Ezekiel 37:1–14

Main takeaway

This passage teaches that when Israel says it is cut off and without hope, Yahweh declares that his word and Spirit will bring life and show that he has spoken and performed it.

Explore the message

Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.

01A valley full of dry bonesThe vision begins with Yahweh’s hand on Ezekiel and Yahweh’s Spirit setting him in a valley full of bones.

Explanation

The vision begins with Yahweh’s hand on Ezekiel and Yahweh’s Spirit setting him in a valley full of bones. The bones are not only many, but very dry, which stresses how complete the lifelessness is. When Yahweh asks whether they can live, Ezekiel answers by placing the knowledge with the Lord Yahweh. This keeps the focus on Yahweh’s power and knowledge.

Ezekiel 37:1 Ezekiel 37:2 Ezekiel 37:3

02Yahweh speaks life through prophecyYahweh tells Ezekiel to prophesy over the bones and announce Yahweh’s word. The promise is detailed: breath, sinews, flesh, skin, and life.

Explanation

Yahweh tells Ezekiel to prophesy over the bones and announce Yahweh’s word. The promise is detailed: breath, sinews, flesh, skin, and life. The purpose is also repeated: “Then you will know that I am Yahweh.” Life does not begin with the bones doing anything. It begins with Yahweh speaking and commanding his prophet to speak.

Ezekiel 37:4 Ezekiel 37:5 Ezekiel 37:6

03Bodies formed, then breath givenEzekiel obeys, and the bones come together in a shaking movement. Sinews, flesh, and skin appear, yet there is still no breath in them.

Explanation

Ezekiel obeys, and the bones come together in a shaking movement. Sinews, flesh, and skin appear, yet there is still no breath in them. Then Yahweh commands Ezekiel to prophesy again, this time calling for breath to come. After this second command, they live and stand on their feet as an exceedingly great army.

Ezekiel 37:7 Ezekiel 37:8 Ezekiel 37:9 Ezekiel 37:10

04The meaning of the visionYahweh does not leave the picture unexplained. He says the bones are the whole house of Israel.

Explanation

Yahweh does not leave the picture unexplained. He says the bones are the whole house of Israel. Their own words describe despair: their bones are dried up, their hope is lost, and they are cut off. Yahweh answers with promises to open their graves, bring them up, return them to the land, and put his Spirit in them so they will live.

Ezekiel 37:11 Ezekiel 37:12 Ezekiel 37:13 Ezekiel 37:14

Questions to explore

Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.

01What details in the opening vision make the situation seem completely hopeless?

Look for the repeated descriptions in the valley and notice how Ezekiel answers Yahweh’s question about whether the bones can live.

Ezekiel 37:2 Ezekiel 37:3

02Why is the phrase “you will know that I am Yahweh” important in this passage?

Notice when Yahweh says these words and connect them to his actions of giving life and keeping his promise.

Ezekiel 37:6 Ezekiel 37:13 Ezekiel 37:14

03How does Yahweh himself explain the meaning of the bones?

Use Yahweh’s explanation rather than guessing at the symbolism, and include what the people say about their own condition.

Ezekiel 37:11 Ezekiel 37:12 Ezekiel 37:14

Read the Bible passage

World English Bible Classic

Scripture quotation · Public domain

Ezekiel 37:1–14

1Yahweh’s hand was on me, and he brought me out in Yahweh’s Spirit, and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones.

2He caused me to pass by them all around; and behold, there were very many in the open valley, and behold, they were very dry.

3He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I answered, “Lord Yahweh, you know.”

4Again he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them, ‘You dry bones, hear Yahweh’s word.

5The Lord Yahweh says to these bones: “Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you will live.

6I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you will live. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.” ’ ”

7So I prophesied as I was commanded. As I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, there was an earthquake. Then the bones came together, bone to its bone.

8I saw, and, behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them.

9Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and tell the wind, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Come from the four winds, breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ”

10So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

11Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost. We are completely cut off.’

12Therefore prophesy, and tell them, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Behold, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, my people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel.

13You will know that I am Yahweh, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, my people.

14I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live. Then I will place you in your own land; and you will know that I, Yahweh, have spoken it and performed it,” says Yahweh.’ ”