Ezekiel 37:4

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

Ezekiel 37:4 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 37:4

Again he said unto me, prophesy upon these bones
Or, "over these bones" F20; or, "concerning these bones" F21; foretell that they shall live; tell others of it, and them also: and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord;
the word of prophecy concerning you, as the Jews did in Babylon: so unconverted sinners may be preached unto, and their lost and miserable estate in which they are, like dry bones, may be set before them: they may be called upon to attend the external ministry of the word; and they are capable of hearing it with their bodily ears; though it is not profitable to them, for want of faith, yet faith comes hereby; and therefore it is right to attend upon the means, and hear the word.


FOOTNOTES:

F20 (hlah twmueh le) "super ossa haec", Starckius.
F21 "De ossibus istis", Junius & Tremellius, Polanus, Piscator.

Ezekiel 37:4 In-Context

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.
6 I will give you sinews and muscles, and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you and bring you back to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord."
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.