Ezekiel 37

Chapters xxxvii.-xxxix. contain three expressive symbolical descriptions of the restoration, union, and triumph of the chosen people.

1 full of bones. The bones of slain men (9); as on some battlefield of past days.

4. Prophecy. “Speak in the name of God.”

5 breath. The repeated words in this section, “breath,” “wind,” and “spirit,” are in Hebrew the same (see R.V. marg.), and must be rendered according to the context

7 a shaking. Or, “a rattling.”

9. Prophecy unto the wind. The emblem of the Spirit of God (see John iii. 8), the Author and Giver of life (Gen. ii. 7).

11 we are cut off for our parts. Rather, as R.V., “we are clean cut off.”

13 when I have opened your graves. Although the blessing here promised is plainly a national and moral resurrection, yet the imagery employed assumes that the people were familiar with the doctrine of a personal resurrection (cp. Isa. xxvi. 19, and note).

VERS. 15-28. The first blessing which flows from the Divine communication of spiritual life is the union of Israel, hitherto divided, under the rule of the true David. This is symbolised by two rods, the emblems of authority, becoming one; so that the two kingdoms of Judah and Ephraim shall be no more divided (15-22); but shall be obedient, safe, and prosperous, as in David’s days, with God’s sanctuary in the midst of them, and His glory resting upon them (23-28): cp. Isa. xi. 13.

16 one stick. Cp. Numb. xvii. 1, etc. The name of “Ephraim” was given to the kingdom of the Ten Tribes: see Hosea.

for the children of Israel his companions. That is, such portions of the other tribes as remained with or passed over to the kingdom of Judah: see 2 Chron. xi. 13-17; xv. 9.

17 they shall be one in thine hand. “Where God is least, is least union; where He is most, is perfect oneness” (Elvet Lewis: By the River Chebar).

25. My servant David shall be their prince for ever. “As the ‘David’ of this promise is Christ, so the covenant-people are no longer the Jews distinctively, but the faithful in Christ; and the territory of blessing is no longer Canaan, but the whole earth; and only when it becomes His actual possession can the prophecies concerning Him, as the New Testament David, reach their destined accomplishment” (Dr. P. Fairbair).