What does Ezekiel 37:11 mean?

"Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts." - Ezekiel 37:11

"Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts." - Ezekiel 37:11

The Bible verse Ezekiel 37:11 in the King James Version reads, "Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts." This verse is part of the vision of the Valley of Dry Bones, which is one of the most well-known and powerful passages in the Book of Ezekiel.

In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel is taken by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley full of dry bones. The bones are very dry, indicating that they have been there for a long time and are completely lifeless. God asks Ezekiel whether these bones can live, and Ezekiel responds that only God knows. God then commands Ezekiel to prophesy over the bones and declare that they will come to life. As Ezekiel does so, there is a great rattling noise, and the bones begin to come together, forming complete skeletons. Then sinews, flesh, and skin cover the bones, but there is still no breath in them. God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the breath, and the breath enters the bodies, bringing them back to life as a vast army.

The context of this vision is crucial for understanding its meaning. At the time the Book of Ezekiel was written, the people of Israel were in exile in Babylon, and they were feeling hopeless and defeated. The vision of the Valley of Dry Bones was a message of hope and restoration from God to the people of Israel. It symbolized God's promise to bring the exiled Israelites back to their land and revive them as a nation. The dry bones represented the people of Israel in their desperate state, feeling as though their hope was lost and they were "cut off" from God and their homeland. However, God's power and faithfulness were demonstrated in the vision as He brought the lifeless bones back to life, just as He would bring the exiled Israelites back to their homeland and restore them as a nation.

The themes of hope, restoration, and God's power are central to this passage. It conveys the message that even in the most hopeless of situations, God has the power to bring new life and hope. This message is not only relevant to the Israelites in exile but continues to be relevant to all believers throughout history. It serves as a reminder that no matter how bleak the circumstances may seem, God is capable of bringing about transformation and renewal.

The symbolism in this passage is rich and layered. The dry bones symbolize not only the physical state of the exiled Israelites but also their spiritual state of despair and hopelessness. The process of the bones coming together and being covered with sinews, flesh, and skin represents the gradual restoration and revival of the Israelites as a nation. The breath entering the bodies symbolizes the breath of life, which is the Spirit of God breathing new life into His people.

In conclusion, Ezekiel 37:11 from the King James Version is a powerful and evocative passage that communicates a message of hope, restoration, and God's power. It serves as a timeless reminder of God's faithfulness and ability to bring about new life in the midst of desolation. This vision of the Valley of Dry Bones continues to inspire and encourage believers in their times of despair, pointing them to the source of true hope and renewal – God Himself.

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Ezekiel 37:11 Artwork

Ezekiel 37:11 - "¶ Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts."

Ezekiel 37:11 - "¶ Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts."

"¶ Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts." - Ezekiel 37:11

"¶ Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts." - Ezekiel 37:11

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.

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,"

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."

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

1 Chronicles 11:37 - "Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,"

1 Chronicles 11:37 - "Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,"

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

Genesis 37:11 - "And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying."

Genesis 37:11 - "And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying."

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.

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."

Psalms 37:11 - "But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."

Psalms 37:11 - "But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."

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 28:11-19

Ezekiel 28:11-19

Ezekiel 28:11-19

Ezekiel 28:11-19

Ezekiel 28:11-19

Ezekiel 28:11-19

Ezekiel 28:11-19

Ezekiel 28:11-19

"¶ 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 37:2 - "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."