ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Ezekiel 37

Ezek. 37:1–14 This vision is one of the most famous passages in Ezekiel. While it stands on its own as a statement of God’s power to re-create his people, the context is significant. The promised gift of a new heart and spirit (36:26–27) left questions (such as, how can this be? and can it be true for us?). Chapter 37 addresses these questions.

Ezek. 37:1 The vast landscape of dry bones suggests the aftermath of battle, the ultimate outcome of the judgment of ch. 6.

Ezek. 37:3 The question can these bones live? anticipates the exiles’ view of their own situation (v. 11): total hopelessness. It also introduces one of the key words in the passage: the verb “to live” appears in vv. 3 and 5 and 6 and 9 and 10 and 14. Ezekiel’s response leaves the outcome to God’s sovereignty.

Ezek. 37:4–6 God commands Ezekiel to do what seems pointless (prophesy over these bones). God promises that he will perform the impossible: bring the bones back to life with his breath. This is the same Hebrew word used for “the Spirit” in v. 1 (see note on 1:12). It appears seven more times in the vision.

Ezek. 37:9–10 The second phase of prophesying is addressed to the breath (or wind or spirit/Spirit; see note on 1:12). The coming of the wind/breath/spirit that gives life is a powerful reminder of God’s creative work in Gen. 2:7. God creates, and God re-creates.

Ezek. 37:12–13 I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. The vision of national revival changes into the metaphor of a cemetery, which seems to be related to the experience of exile (v. 12b). By using this language, Ezekiel also contributes to OT teaching on resurrection (see Dan. 12:2–3; Isa. 26:19; Hos. 6:1–2; 13:14; also Job 19:25–27; Ps. 17:15).

Ezek. 37:14 The fundamental lesson of the vision is repeated: when the Spirit is present, God’s people are enabled to live. This is the only basis on which hope can be offered to the despairing community.

Ezek. 37:15–28 The idea of homecoming in the “dry bones” vision (vv. 1–14) provides a link to this oracle (see vv. 21, 25–26). This dramatized prophecy prompts questions from the onlookers (v. 18), which leads to two oracles: vv. 19–20 announce the reunification of the old northern and southern kingdoms; vv. 21–23 give the renewed nation its moral and political shape. Verses 24–28 further explain the second oracle. The closing verses, with their allusions to the temple, provide a bridge to chs. 40–48.

Ezek. 37:16 Joseph, as father of Ephraim (see Gen. 48:5, 8–20), represents the northern kingdom of Israel. Judah represents the southern kingdom.

Ezek. 37:19 make them one stick. Israel first went into exile a century earlier. Judah was now scattered as well. But God will reunite them.

Ezek. 37:21–22 This renewed national unity requires a secure national home. The reunion takes concrete political shape under the rule of one king, which is not Ezekiel’s usual title for the messianic figure (compare “prince,” v. 25).

Ezek. 37:24–25 The assignment of David as shepherd-king and prince recalls 34:23–24 as well as several passages in Jeremiah (e.g., Jer. 23:5; 30:9). Divine enabling to live rightly (Ezek. 37:23) strengthens the people’s moral awareness.

Ezek. 37:26 The covenant of peace (see 34:25) and everlasting covenant (see 16:60) appeared individually earlier in Ezekiel. Here they come together to provide the foundation for the renewed nation. The joining of these covenants also combines political life and the natural world, as if people and land are joined.

Ezek. 37:27–28 My dwelling place shall be with them. The oracle’s conclusion emphasizes the importance of God’s presence to the renewed people. The “dwelling place” recalls the wilderness tabernacle. The sanctuary (see v. 26) points to the temple, in particular the renewed temple, which will occupy Ezekiel’s attention in ch. 44.