Yechezkel 37 | The Vision of the Dry Bones

Yechezkel is taken to a valley filled with dry bones. The imagery of bones is familiar from his earlier prophecies — after all, the people had likened themselves to flesh while viewing Jerusalem as a pot that would protect them from being burned. Yet Yechezkel had warned them that the pot would offer no protection as the flesh would burn down to the bone and be scattered. Now, it becomes clear that this destruction has left the nation in a state of despair. After the devastation and the exile, they feel hopeless. They feel entombed with no way out.

It is to these feelings that the prophecy faces and promises – there is hope. God will revive the dead, He will bring you out of the graves in which you find yourselves, and He will return you to the land of Israel.

We’ll mention two key aspects of the vision of the dry bones, and then we’ll mention the other visions in the chapter:

The Lesser is Dependent on the Greater: The interpretation of the vision is the redemption of Israel, while its metaphor is resurrection of the dead (tchi’at ha’meitim). Typically, we use something greater to explain something lesser, and here as well: the people are so overwhelmed by the idea that a nation lost in exile, crushed and despairing, could return and be redeemed, that they require the metaphor of resurrection of the dead to grasp it.

Two Stages: The revival of the dead occurs in two stages. First, the bones come together, and only then comes the breath: "There was a noise as I was prophesying, and then a rattling and the bones moved together, each bone to its bone. And I saw there on them sinews, flesh forming, and skin spreading a cover over  them - but there was no breath in them. And He said to me: ‘Prophesy to the breath" (37:7-9). Likewise, in the metaphor’s fulfillment, redemption may also unfold in two stages—the first being the physical return to the land, and the second being the infusion of God’s spirit within us.

So They Shall Are One in Your Hand: The prophecy of the branches is a revolutionary prophecy. For generations of internal conflict, unable and unwilling to reunite. After the northern kingdom of Israel had already gone into exile, and their fate — both physical and spiritual — was unknown, Yechezkel suddenly declares that the kingdom of Israel will return and be one again. And with this promise comes a fitting king for this mission: "and David My servant will be their prince for eternity." (37:25) Just as the kingdom was once united under David, so too will it be reunited under the future king who will lead the people.

Eternal Promises: The prophecy grants the people four everlasting covenants in four different fields:
Dwelling in the land: "They will live upon it, they and their children and their children’s children, for eternity." (37:25)
The leadership of David: "and David My servant will be their prince for eternity." (37:25)
A covenant: "It will be an everlasting covenant with them, I will place them securely there." (37:26)
The Presence of the Shekhina in the Temple: "I will place My sanctuary among them for eternity." (37:26)

For more on this topic - a shiur by Harav Yaakov Medan on Haftarat Vayigash, on the union of the trees as a graft. There is also a surprise: Who is the main tree?