Ezekiel 37:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Spirit of the Lord reveals to the prophet Ezekiel the truth about the resurrection of the deceased. The prophet describes this as, “The hand of the Lord is upon me,” indicating the arrival of the Spirit who transported him in a vision to a vast area filled with bones, dismembered limbs, and lifeless bodies, even though in reality, there were no slain individuals present. Where is it stated that the Israelites perished in the land of Babylon? This vision was imparted to the prophet by the Spirit of God to demonstrate that the Jewish captives perceived themselves as if they were dead and entombed in their place of exile, in Babylon.

This revelation is widely recognized and frequently shared across Christian congregations; and for this primary reason, I have provided both versions in their entirety, to avoid any potential criticisms from the Jewish community regarding discrepancies that may arise, even in wording. For they often mock us, raising their eyebrows and puffing out their cheeks, eager to showcase their knowledge of Scripture whenever they can highlight inconsistencies in our texts—though I don’t mean a difference in understanding (for that would warrant just criticism)—but rather a variation in wording.

The Lord's hand was upon me. The prophet refers to God's hand as His divine action. The hand of the Lord came upon me, placing me in the center of a valley. This signifies spiritual insight; the prophet did not perceive with his physical sight what was revealed, but he received the vision from the Holy Spirit. The valley was filled with human bones, and God surrounded me with them, as many were scattered across the valley floor. The prophet’s revelations corresponded to their situation. Those exiled from Judea, burdened by disbelief, had lost all hope. The Almighty demonstrated His power, allowing the prophet to witness the resurrection of the dead, a task far more challenging than merely restoring the Jews to their homeland.

Reflect on the prophecy of Ezekiel concerning the valley filled with human bones. Recall how, in his vision, the bones came together, each linking to its counterpart, subsequently being enveloped in tendons, flesh, and skin, yet lacking the breath of life. The Prophet was instructed to "Speak of the Spirit," and upon his declaration, life was breathed into them. This valley of bones symbolizes humanity's fallen state, illustrating their separation from God, where they exist devoid of life within themselves and without the Spirit, as articulated by the Apostle.

The mighty hand of the Lord, signifying His omnipotent power, brought Ezekiel to a plain filled with withered human bones. This signifies not a physical transportation of his body, but rather a vision granted to him; he was in the Spirit of the Lord, completely enveloped by prophetic revelation from the Holy Spirit. In this inspired state, it seemed to his spiritual perception that he was elevated and placed in a location scattered with human bones.