- Home
- Bible
- Ezekiel
- Chapter 37
- Verse 37
Ezekiel 37:9
Verse
Context
The Valley of Dry Bones
8As I looked on, tendons appeared on them, flesh grew, and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them.9Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and tell the breath that this is what the Lord GOD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, so that they may live!”
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Prophesy unto the wind - רוח ruach. Address thyself to the soul, and command it to enter into these well-organized bodies, that they may live. Come from the four winds - Souls, come frown all parts where ye are scattered; and reanimate these bodies from; which ye have been so long separated. The four winds signify all parts - in every direction. Literally it is, "Souls, come from the four souls;" "Breath, come from the four breaths;" or, "Wind, come from the four winds." But here רוח ruach has both of its most general meanings, wind or breath, and soul.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
wind--rather, the spirit of life or life-breath (Margin). For it is distinct from "the four winds" from which it is summoned. from the four winds--implying that Israel is to be gathered from the four quarters of the earth (Isa 43:5-6; Jer 31:8), even as they were "scattered into all the winds" (Eze 5:10; Eze 12:14; Eze 17:21; compare Rev 7:1, Rev 7:4).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then said he unto me, prophesy unto the wind,.... Before he had been prophesying to the bones, and over them; and something was done, but not to purpose, breath being wanting; wherefore he is bid to prophesy a second time, and that not to bones, but to the "wind", afterwards rendered "breath"; and may allude to the soul or breath of man reentering the body, as at a resurrection, which causes it to live: it signifies the "spirit" (x), for the same word is used for the wind, for breath, and for the spirit; and in the mystical sense may be applied to the Spirit of God: and if ever ministers prophesy or preach to purpose, it must be with a view to the Spirit of God, both to assist them in their work, and to make their ministrations effectual; without which, how many formal professors soever may be made, not one dead sinner will be quickened. The Syriac and Arabic versions render it, "concerning the Spirit": and to discourse concerning the person, operations, and grace of the Spirit, is one part of the Gospel ministry, and a means of the conversion of sinners. Prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind; ministers must not only preach, but they must pray for the Spirit to accompany the word with his power, and make it the savour of life unto life: thus saith the Lord, come from the four winds, O breath; or "spirit": because the Jews were to be brought from each of the parts where they were, as they will be at their conversion in the latter day; and so the Lord has a people in each of the parts of the world, that lie dead in sin, and must be quickened by the Spirit: and breathe upon these slain, that they may live; though not slain with the sword, yet being as dead men, who are slain by death, are so called: so in a spiritual sense men are slain by sin, and are slain by the words of the Lord's mouth; killed with the law, the killing letter; and it is only the Spirit of God that can give them life; and the breath or spirit here is applied to the Spirit of the Messiah by the ancient Jews (y). (x) "ad spiritum", Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius, Starckius; "alloquens spiritum", Junius & Tremellius, Polanus. (y) Zohar in Nunb. fol. 92. 1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
37:9-10 When Ezekiel prophesied to the four winds . . . breath came into the re-formed bodies and they stood up on their feet as a great army prepared for action. This breath, emblematic of being filled with the Spirit, gave them life and empowered them for action, precisely as had happened to the prophet on two earlier occasions (1:28–2:2 and 3:23-24).
Ezekiel 37:9
The Valley of Dry Bones
8As I looked on, tendons appeared on them, flesh grew, and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them.9Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and tell the breath that this is what the Lord GOD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, so that they may live!”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Monday Night (2 Peter 1-21) - Part 1
By Leonard Ravenhill3.3K42:35GEN 1:2EZK 37:9EZK 47:3MAT 28:19JHN 3:3ACT 1:82PE 1:21In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. He emphasizes that it is not a decision, but a mental flip that occurs when the Spirit of God comes upon someone. The preacher also highlights the role of God in forgiving us, Jesus Christ in redeeming us, and the Holy Spirit in regenerating us. He mentions a story about a man named Simeon who prayed for revival for over 60 years and was told he would not die until revival came. The preacher concludes by expressing his belief that a rebirth is coming for the church and that God will re-energize and give a new vision and authority to believers.
Command Me Partial
By David Wilkerson3.0K02:59CommandsEZK 37:9MAT 6:33JHN 3:8ACT 1:8ROM 8:111CO 2:4EPH 6:17In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not just preaching the gospel, but also praying for a supernatural transaction between God and fallen man. He highlights the need for the Holy Spirit to do the work and bring about a heavenly transformation. The preacher references the story of Ezekiel, where he prophesied as commanded by God, and breath came into the lifeless bodies, turning them into an exceeding great army. The sermon emphasizes the power of prayer and the role of the Holy Spirit in bringing about spiritual revival and transformation.
The Coming Revival of the Joshua Priesthood
By Carter Conlon2.0K46:45RevivalEZK 37:9ZEC 3:8MAT 6:33MAT 11:28HEB 3:15HEB 4:11In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of finding rest in God. He highlights that effective evangelism is built on a foundation of rest, which may seem foolish to the natural man. The enemy fiercely fights against this knowledge, causing spiritual slumber and discouragement. The preacher shares personal experiences of dryness and loss of compassion, but also the joy of leading others to Christ. The sermon encourages listeners to strive to enter into God's rest and rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance.
Command Me (Compilation)
By Compilations1.5K18:30CompilationEZK 37:7EZK 37:9MAT 6:33ROM 12:22CO 5:17EPH 4:22JAS 5:16In this sermon, the speaker expresses a deep desire to make a difference in their generation and to see a passionate church that is not deceived by false prophets. They are tired of witnessing the negative influences of filth and pornography on the younger generation. The speaker calls on God to command them and transform their life, giving them a new mind and heart. They emphasize the need for individuals to step out of the crowd and have the compassion of God burning in their hearts. The speaker also references a biblical passage about prophesying and the miraculous power of God to bring life and transformation.
Jacob and Esau
By Paul Ravenhill1.3K1:19:47GEN 25:24PSA 22:7JER 15:19EZK 37:9MAT 6:33LUK 19:44HEB 12:16In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of separating the precious from the vile in order to experience true life. He discusses the power of atmosphere and how it can influence our beliefs and perceptions. The preacher also highlights the need for spiritual nourishment in the church, comparing it to a dog coming in from the field and asking to be fed. He warns against being too focused on earthly matters and missing the day of visitation from God. The sermon concludes with a plea to not be cast away and to hold onto the spiritual heritage and blessings from God.
Revival Tornadoes -- No New Name for Revivals
By Martin Knapp02CH 7:14PSA 107:28JER 23:19EZK 37:9MAT 3:11ACT 2:2HEB 4:12JAS 4:81PE 4:17REV 3:16Martin Knapp preaches about the powerful impact of genuine revival, likening it to a tornado in the spiritual world, accompanied by divine truth, disturbed elements, and saving power. Revival tornadoes are sent by God to bring about soul-saving transformations, just as Ezekiel prayed for a mighty revival. The preacher emphasizes the importance of meeting the conditions set by God for revival, including prayer, fasting, confession, and turning from sin. Through powerful descriptions and analogies, Martin Knapp highlights how revivals, like tornadoes, purify, test the righteous, alarm the wicked, and compel attention to God's power.
The Holy Sprit and the Old Testament
By Denis Lyle0GEN 1:2JOB 33:4EZK 37:9JHN 3:6JHN 14:262TI 3:162PE 1:21Denis Lyle preaches about the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit has always been active on earth, even before Pentecost. He explains how the Spirit of God was involved in creation, giving universal, physical, and spiritual life. Lyle also delves into the inspiration of Scripture by the Holy Spirit, highlighting the importance of understanding that the Bible is God-breathed and how the Spirit enables believers to comprehend its truths. Furthermore, he discusses how the Holy Spirit controlled various individuals in the Old Testament, empowering statesmen, spokesmen, skilled men, sinful men, and strong men for specific tasks.
The Wind of the Holy Ghost Blowing Upon the Dry Bones in the Valley of Vision
By Ralph Erskine0PSA 39:3ISA 44:3ISA 61:2EZK 37:9MAT 11:28LUK 11:13ROM 5:1ROM 8:1GAL 2:20Ralph Erskine preaches about the necessity of the breathings and influences of the Holy Spirit for the revival of souls, emphasizing the threefold resurrection represented in Ezekiel's vision: the resurrection of the body, the resurrection of the soul from sin, and the resurrection of the church from bondage. He highlights the dismal case of spiritual deadness, the blessed remedy of the Spirit's breathings, and the end and effect of their operation in bringing life to the dry bones. Erskine urges the congregation to examine their spiritual state, seek the Spirit's influences through prayer, meditation, and faithful attendance at ordinances, and to wait on God with faith and humility for the reviving gales of the Spirit.
A Pilgrimage to Secure Boundaries
By Jack Hayford0GEN 13:14PSA 113:1PSA 119:165EZK 37:9ZEC 12:10ZEC 14:16MAT 9:37JHN 8:32EPH 6:181TH 5:16Jack Hayford shares about a pilgrimage to Israel where a prayer team engaged in prophetic prayer, building altars at the North, South, East, and West boundaries of the nation. Each altar represented key issues to be proclaimed over the land, applicable to all believers. The Altar of TRUTH in the South focused on honoring the Word and seeking freedom through truth. The Altar of LIFE in the East prayed for an outpouring of the Spirit and revelation of Jesus. The Altar of WORSHIP in the North interceded for true worship to invoke grace and break spiritual drought, while the Altar of PRAISE in the West praised for breakthrough and expansion of God's mission.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Prophesy unto the wind - רוח ruach. Address thyself to the soul, and command it to enter into these well-organized bodies, that they may live. Come from the four winds - Souls, come frown all parts where ye are scattered; and reanimate these bodies from; which ye have been so long separated. The four winds signify all parts - in every direction. Literally it is, "Souls, come from the four souls;" "Breath, come from the four breaths;" or, "Wind, come from the four winds." But here רוח ruach has both of its most general meanings, wind or breath, and soul.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
wind--rather, the spirit of life or life-breath (Margin). For it is distinct from "the four winds" from which it is summoned. from the four winds--implying that Israel is to be gathered from the four quarters of the earth (Isa 43:5-6; Jer 31:8), even as they were "scattered into all the winds" (Eze 5:10; Eze 12:14; Eze 17:21; compare Rev 7:1, Rev 7:4).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then said he unto me, prophesy unto the wind,.... Before he had been prophesying to the bones, and over them; and something was done, but not to purpose, breath being wanting; wherefore he is bid to prophesy a second time, and that not to bones, but to the "wind", afterwards rendered "breath"; and may allude to the soul or breath of man reentering the body, as at a resurrection, which causes it to live: it signifies the "spirit" (x), for the same word is used for the wind, for breath, and for the spirit; and in the mystical sense may be applied to the Spirit of God: and if ever ministers prophesy or preach to purpose, it must be with a view to the Spirit of God, both to assist them in their work, and to make their ministrations effectual; without which, how many formal professors soever may be made, not one dead sinner will be quickened. The Syriac and Arabic versions render it, "concerning the Spirit": and to discourse concerning the person, operations, and grace of the Spirit, is one part of the Gospel ministry, and a means of the conversion of sinners. Prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind; ministers must not only preach, but they must pray for the Spirit to accompany the word with his power, and make it the savour of life unto life: thus saith the Lord, come from the four winds, O breath; or "spirit": because the Jews were to be brought from each of the parts where they were, as they will be at their conversion in the latter day; and so the Lord has a people in each of the parts of the world, that lie dead in sin, and must be quickened by the Spirit: and breathe upon these slain, that they may live; though not slain with the sword, yet being as dead men, who are slain by death, are so called: so in a spiritual sense men are slain by sin, and are slain by the words of the Lord's mouth; killed with the law, the killing letter; and it is only the Spirit of God that can give them life; and the breath or spirit here is applied to the Spirit of the Messiah by the ancient Jews (y). (x) "ad spiritum", Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius, Starckius; "alloquens spiritum", Junius & Tremellius, Polanus. (y) Zohar in Nunb. fol. 92. 1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
37:9-10 When Ezekiel prophesied to the four winds . . . breath came into the re-formed bodies and they stood up on their feet as a great army prepared for action. This breath, emblematic of being filled with the Spirit, gave them life and empowered them for action, precisely as had happened to the prophet on two earlier occasions (1:28–2:2 and 3:23-24).