Ezekiel's Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37 KJV)
In a valley full of very dry bones, Ezekiel prophesied and watched God raise an exceeding great army — a vision of resurrection hope.
Ezekiel 37:1-14 records one of Scripture's most vivid visions. The Spirit set the prophet down in a valley 'full of bones' that were 'very dry.' God asked, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' At God's command Ezekiel prophesied; the bones came together, sinews and flesh appeared, and finally breath entered them — 'and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.' The interpretation: God will revive His people Israel.
What Scripture Teaches
- 1The bones were 'very dry' — hope was humanly impossible (37:2)
- 2God asked, 'Can these bones live?' (37:3)
- 3Ezekiel prophesied to the bones at God's command (37:4-7)
- 4Sinews, flesh, and skin came on them; then breath entered (37:8-10)
- 5Interpretation: 'These bones are the whole house of Israel' (37:11)
- 6Pictures both national restoration and the resurrection power of God
Key KJV Scriptures
"And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest."
"Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:"
"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."
"And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then ye shall know that I am the LORD have spoken it, and performed it."
Why It Matters
God can raise the deadest situation. The vision answered Israel's despair — 'Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost' (37:11) — with the certainty of resurrection by His Word and Spirit.
Application for Today
Where you see only dryness — in a soul, a marriage, a church, a nation — pray and preach the Word. The same Spirit that breathed on the bones still gives life to all who will hear and live.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the dry bones represent in Ezekiel 37?
Ezekiel 37:11 (KJV) gives God's own interpretation: 'These bones are the whole house of Israel.' They picture a people who said, 'Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost,' whom God promised to restore.
Is the valley of dry bones about the resurrection?
Primarily it foretells Israel's national restoration (37:12-14). But it also illustrates God's wider resurrection power — only the Lord can give life to what is utterly dead, whether nations, churches, or individual sinners (Ephesians 2:1-5).
Why did God tell Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones?
To show that revival comes through the preached Word empowered by the Spirit (37:4-10 KJV). God could have raised them silently; instead He bound life-giving power to the proclamation of His Word.
Is the valley of dry bones literal or symbolic?
The vision itself was real to Ezekiel, but its meaning is explicitly symbolic — God gives the interpretation: 'These bones are the whole house of Israel' (Ezekiel 37:11 KJV). It is a prophetic picture, not a historical resurrection.
Does Ezekiel 37 predict the modern state of Israel?
Bible-believing interpreters differ. The immediate fulfilment was the return from Babylonian exile (37:12-14). Many also see a fuller fulfilment in Israel's spiritual restoration when 'all Israel shall be saved' (Romans 11:26 KJV). Scripture stops short of identifying any specific modern political event.
What is the difference between the two prophecies in Ezekiel 37?
Ezekiel prophesies first to the bones (37:4-8) — bringing form and order — then to the wind/breath (37:9-10) — bringing life. Together they teach that God's Word and God's Spirit work in tandem; neither replaces the other in true revival.
How does this vision apply to Christians today?
It pictures God's power to make the spiritually dead alive (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV). Preach the Word in dry places, pray for the Spirit's breath, and trust the same God who said, 'Can these bones live?' — and answered His own question with an exceeding great army.
Continue Your Study
Read the full chapters (KJV)
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