Ezekiel 37:9

Then 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!”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — God speaks to Ezekiel immediately after the valley of dry bones is clothed in flesh and skin but remains lifeless. He commands the prophet to address the breath directly.

The words — The text records God commanding Ezekiel to prophesy (הִנָּבֵא, hinna've) to the breath (הָרוּחַ, ha·ru·ach), identifying him as son of man (בֶן אָדָם, ben ·A·dom). The imperative calls the breath to come from the four winds and breathe into the slain.

The thread — This command directly fulfills the earlier divine promise that God will cause breath to enter the bones for life (Ezekiel 37:5). The motif of breath or wind bringing life appears in Song of Solomon 4:16 and John 3:8.

Why it lands — The verse demands obedience to a command that addresses a non-human entity, establishing that life originates only from divine breath. It requires the reader to speak God's word into apparent hopelessness without relying on visible results.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

Cross-references

John 3:8 The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Song of Solomon 4:16 Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind. Breathe on my garden and spread the fragrance of its spices. Let my beloved come into his garden and taste its choicest fruits.
Ezekiel 37:5 This is what the Lord GOD says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will come to life.
Ezekiel 37:14 I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.’”
Psalms 104:30 When You send Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth.