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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהֶעֱבִירַ֥נִי
And caused me to pass
H5674
וְהֶעֱבִירַ֥נִי
And caused me to pass
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
1 of 13
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
סָבִ֑יב
by them round about
H5439
סָבִ֑יב
by them round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
3 of 13
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
סָבִ֑יב
by them round about
H5439
סָבִ֑יב
by them round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
4 of 13
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
רַבּ֤וֹת
many
H7227
רַבּ֤וֹת
many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
6 of 13
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
מְאֹֽד׃
and behold there were very
H3966
מְאֹֽד׃
and behold there were very
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵ֣י
in the open
H6440
פְּנֵ֣י
in the open
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Historical Context
The exiles (587 BC) felt beyond hope—decades in captivity with no prospect of return. The "very dry" bones depicted decades of dispersion, not temporary setback. God wanted Ezekiel to grasp the magnitude of promised restoration: not minor improvement but resurrection from death. The vision's fulfillment began with the return from Babylon but finds complete expression in spiritual resurrection through the gospel. Every conversion demonstrates Ezekiel 37—God raising dead souls to spiritual life.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing your spiritual death apart from grace enhance appreciation for salvation?
- What situations seem "very dry" and hopeless, requiring God's resurrection power?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"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." The phrase "very many" emphasizes comprehensive death—not just a few bones but the entire nation. "Very dry" indicates long-dead, not recently deceased—hope has long since vanished. God ensures Ezekiel fully comprehends the hopelessness before revealing the solution. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: God allows us to feel the full weight of impossibility before demonstrating His power. The gospel addresses such total death—humans aren't slightly sick but completely dead, requiring resurrection not resuscitation.