Ezekiel 37:2

2 He led me all around the valley, and I could see that there were very many bones and that they were very dry.

Ezekiel 37:2 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 37:2

And caused me to pass by them round about
Round, round
^F19; several times round, that he might take exact notice of them, of their number, situation, and condition: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley;
as the Jews were in captivity; and as they will be when they shall be converted; and as the number of Christians will be in the spiritual reign of Christ; and as the dead will be at the time of their resurrection, both of the just and unjust: and, lo, they were very dry;
through length of time they had lain there, exposed to wind and weather; the flesh being wholly consumed from off of them, and the marrow within quite dried up; so that there was no probability or hope, humanly speaking, of their being quickened: these are a fit emblem of men in a state of nature and unregeneracy, who have no spiritual life, but are dead in trespasses and sins; have no sense of sin or danger; no strength to redeem and regenerate themselves, or do anything that is spiritually good; have no spiritual motion; no inward desires after God, or affection to him; no lifting up of the heart to him, or going out of the soul in faith and love to Christ; but in themselves entirely lifeless, helpless, and hopeless.

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 (bybo bybo) "circum circa", Pagninus; "undique undique", Montanus.

Ezekiel 37:2 In-Context

1 I felt the powerful presence of the Lord, and his spirit took me and set me down in a valley where the ground was covered with bones.

2 He led me all around the valley, and I could see that there were very many bones and that they were very dry.

3 He said to me, "Mortal man, can these bones come back to life?" I replied, "Sovereign Lord, only you can answer that!"

4 He said, "Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord.

5 Tell them that I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying to them: I am going to put breath into you and bring you back to life.