What does Ezekiel 37:15 mean?

"¶ The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying," - Ezekiel 37:15

"¶ The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying," - Ezekiel 37:15

Ezekiel 37:15 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions."

This verse comes from a vision that the prophet Ezekiel has, where he is commanded by God to take two sticks and write the names of Judah and Joseph on them. The significance of this vision lies in the context of the divided kingdom of Israel, which had split into two separate entities after the reign of King Solomon. The southern kingdom of Judah consisted of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, while the northern kingdom of Israel was made up of the remaining ten tribes, including the powerful tribe of Ephraim.

The themes present in this verse are unity, restoration, and reconciliation. At the time of Ezekiel's vision, the Israelites were living in exile, having been conquered and dispersed by foreign powers. The division between the two kingdoms had caused deep rifts and animosity between the tribes, leading to their downfall and exile. However, through this vision, God is promising to bring about a reunification of his people and a restoration of their former glory.

The symbolism of the two sticks represents the two divided kingdoms. By bringing them together and writing the names of Judah and Joseph on them, God is symbolizing his intention to reunite the Israelites as one people. The use of the word "stick" also carries a symbolic significance, as it is a humble and simple object that represents the people of Israel. By using an ordinary object, God is demonstrating his power to bring about great change and transformation.

Furthermore, the choice of the names written on the sticks is significant. Judah was the tribe from which the Davidic line of kings had descended, and it was through Judah that the promise of the Messiah was to be fulfilled. Joseph, on the other hand, represents the northern tribes, particularly the powerful tribe of Ephraim. By bringing these two together, God is symbolizing his intention to reunite all the tribes of Israel under the leadership of the Messiah.

This vision of the two sticks also has relevance for the New Testament and the coming of Jesus Christ. In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul speaks of how Jesus came to bring reconciliation not only between Jews and Gentiles but also between all people, uniting them as one body in Christ. The vision of the two sticks in Ezekiel foreshadows this future unity that is to be brought about through the work of the Messiah.

Overall, Ezekiel 37:15 is a powerful and evocative vision of God's intention to restore and reunite his people. It speaks to the enduring themes of unity, reconciliation, and the fulfillment of God's promises. It also serves as a reminder of God's power to bring about transformation and restoration, even in the midst of exile and despair. The symbolism of the two sticks and the names written on them conveys a deep sense of hope and promise for the future of God's people.

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Ezekiel 37:15 Artwork

Ezekiel 37:15 - "¶ The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 37:15 - "¶ The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,"

"¶ The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying," - Ezekiel 37:15

"¶ The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying," - Ezekiel 37:15

Ezekiel 37

Ezekiel 37

Ezekiel 37:7

Ezekiel 37:7

ezekiel 37 dry bones

ezekiel 37 dry bones

Ezekiel 37:1-10 – The valley of dry bones.

Ezekiel 37:1-10 – The valley of dry bones.

Ezekiel 37 1-7

Ezekiel 37 1-7

Ezekiel 37:1-10 – The vision of the valley of dry bones.

Ezekiel 37:1-10 – The vision of the valley of dry bones.

Ezekiel 37:1-10 – The vision of the valley of dry bones.

Ezekiel 37:1-10 – The vision of the valley of dry bones.

Joshua 15:37 - "Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdal-gad,"

Joshua 15:37 - "Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdal-gad,"

Ezekiel 37:20 - "¶ And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes."

Ezekiel 37:20 - "¶ And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes."

Isaiah 37:15 - "And Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD, saying,"

Isaiah 37:15 - "And Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD, saying,"

Numbers 15:37 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Numbers 15:37 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"

Ezekiel 37:27 - "My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

Ezekiel 37:27 - "My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

Ezekiel 37:17 - "And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand."

Ezekiel 37:17 - "And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand."

Ezekiel 20:37 - "And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:"

Ezekiel 20:37 - "And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:"

Full picture of dry bones Ezekiel 37:1-14

Full picture of dry bones Ezekiel 37:1-14

Mark 15:37 - "And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost."

Mark 15:37 - "And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost."

Acts 15:37 - "And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark."

Acts 15:37 - "And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark."

Psalms 37:15 - "Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken."

Psalms 37:15 - "Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken."

in the context of Ezekiel 37, draw a valley full of dry human bones

in the context of Ezekiel 37, draw a valley full of dry human bones

"Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdal-gad," - Joshua 15:37

"Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdal-gad," - Joshua 15:37

in accordance with Ezekiel 37, draw a picture of a valley that is full of dry bones for an far as you can see.  Standing in the valley is the prophet Ezekiel standing in wonder.

in accordance with Ezekiel 37, draw a picture of a valley that is full of dry bones for an far as you can see. Standing in the valley is the prophet Ezekiel standing in wonder.

2 Samuel 15:37 - "So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem."

2 Samuel 15:37 - "So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem."

Exodus 37:15 - "And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table."

Exodus 37:15 - "And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table."

Ezekiel 37:5 - "Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:"

Ezekiel 37:5 - "Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:"

Ezekiel 37:28 - "And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore."

Ezekiel 37:28 - "And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore."

Ezekiel 37:3 - "And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest."

Ezekiel 37:3 - "And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest."

Ezekiel 37:8 - "And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them."

Ezekiel 37:8 - "And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them."

Ezekiel 37:2 - "And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry."

Ezekiel 37:2 - "And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry."