OLD TESTAMENT

Ezekiel 37:1–10

The Holy Bible · English
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1

The LORD’s hand was on me, and he brought me out in the LORD’s Spirit, and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones.

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 1. Spirit, by a divine impulse. He was not really removed. Menochius. Calmet.—Bones. “This passage is very famous.” Saint Jerome—It insinuates the liberation of the captives and of the Gentiles, as well as the mystery of the resurrection. Worthington.—If this were not to take place, it would not be adduced as a figure. Tert. Saint Jerome

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2

He caused me to pass by them all around; and behold, there were very many in the open valley, and behold, they were very dry.

3

He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I answered, “Lord GOD, you know.”

4

Again he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them, ‘You dry bones, hear the LORD’s word.

5

The Lord GOD says to these bones: “Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you will live.

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 5. Spirit. That is, life, soul, and breath. Challoner.—At the resurrection, the same souls shall return to their respective bodies.

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6

I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you will live. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”’”

7

So I prophesied as I was commanded. As I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, there was an earthquake. Then the bones came together, bone to its bone.

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 7. Noise of the bones moving, which denotes the wars of Cyrus and the hurry of the nations to which he restored liberty.

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8

I saw, and, behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them.

9

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and tell the wind, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Come from the four winds, breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’”

ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION

Verse 9. Spirit; wind or soul. The latter animates the body, as the grace ( Calmet.) of the Holy Spirit does the soul. Bible.

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10

So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

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