Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 37

Verse 1

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

in the spirit = by the spirit. Compare Ezekiel 1:1 , Ezekiel 1:3 ; Ezekiel 8:3 ; Ezekiel 11:24 , Ezekiel 11:25 ; Ezekiel 40:2 , Ezekiel 40:3 . These expressions show the meaning of Revelation 1:10 .

spirit. Hebrew. ruach . App-9 .

valley = plain. Some word as in Ezekiel 3:22 , Ezekiel 3:23 , and Ezekiel 8:4 .

Verse 2

round about = on every side. Hebrew. sabib sabib = on this side and on that side. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

behold . . . lo . Figure of speech Asterismos . ( App-6 ), calling special attention to that which was seen.

Verse 3

Son of man. See note on Ezekiel 2:1 .

Lord GOD. Hebrew. Adonai Jehovah . See note on Ezekiel 2:4 .

Verse 4

upon = over. Hebrew. 'al .

Verse 5

breath = spirit. Hebrew. ruach . App-9 .

Verse 6

Put breath, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 2:7 ), App-92 .

ye shall know , &c. See note on Ezekiel 6:7 .

Verse 7

as = according as.

noise = voice.

shaking = commotion.

Verse 9

unto . Hebrew ' el . Compare Ezekiel 37:4 , and see the Structure above.

wind = spirit. Same as "breath" in Ezekiel 37:5 .

breathe = blow. Hebrew. naphah .

slain deed (by violent death). Septuagint renders it tous nekrous . = corpses, as distinct from nekrous , which (without the Article) refers to the dead as having been once alive (compare Matthew 22:31 .Luke 24:5 . Cor Eze 15:29 (first and third words), 35, 42, 52); while, with the Article it denotes corpses. See Deuteronomy 14:1 .Matthew 22:32 .Mark 9:10 . Luke 16:30 , Luke 16:31 ; Luke 24:46 . Acts 23:6 ; Acts 24:15 ; Acts 26:8 . Romans 6:13 ; Romans 10:7 ; Romans 11:15 .Hebrews 11:19 ; Hebrews 11:13 , Hebrews 11:20 ; 1 Corinthians 15:12 , 1 Corinthians 15:13 , 1 Corinthians 15:15 , 1 Corinthians 15:16 , 1 Corinthians 15:20 , 1 Corinthians 15:21 , 1 Corinthians 15:29 (second word), 32. Especially ep, 1 Peter 4:6 . See App-139 .

Verse 11

are = they [are]. Figure of speech Metaphor . App-6 .

the whole house. As distinct from "the house",

we are cut off for our parts = as for us, we are quite cut off, or clean cut off.

Verse 12

graves = sepulchres, or burying-places. Hebrew.

keber , not Sheol . See App-35 . The repetition of this must include resurrection as well as restoration.

into the land of Israel = upon the soil of Israel. Hebrew. 'admath . See note on Ezekiel 11:17 .

Verse 13

when I have opened = by My opening.

and brought yo up = by My causing you to come up.

Verse 14

spirit. Hebrew. ruach . App-9 . Same word es "breath" and "wind" above.

place = settle.

in your own land = upon your own soil. Hebrew ' adamah . Compare Ezekiel 37:21 , and see note on Eze 37:32 .

saith the Lord GOD = [is] Adonai Jehovah's oracle.

Verse 16

stick. Hebrew "wood": put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for anything made of it.

children = sons,

companions: i.e. Benjamin and Levi. Hebrew text reads "companion" (singular); but margin, with some codices and one early printed edition, reads "companions" (plural)

Joseph. Who held the primogeniture of the other tribes (1 Chronicles 6:1 ), forfeited by Reuben; and was represented by Ephraim, the head of the ten tribes. Compare 1 Kings 11:26 , Isaiah 11:13 .Jeremiah 31:6 . Hosea 5:3 , Hosea 5:6 .

his companions: i.e. the other tribes.

Verse 17

hand. Some codices, with three early printed editions, read "hands" (plural)

Verse 19

fellows. Same word as "companions" in Ezekiel 37:16 , and same note as to the readings.

him: or, it.

Verse 21

Behold. heathen; and. land. These words were chosen for the legend on the Zionist medal commemorating the National Federation (of 1896), which is a landmark in the history of the Jewish nation.

I even I. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ).

heathen = nations.

land, Hebrew ' eretz . Not the same word as in at Ezekiel 12:14 , Ezekiel 12:21 .

Verse 22

upon = among.

mountains. A special various readirg called Sevir ( App-34 ) reads "cities".

Verse 23

idols = dirty gods.

detestable = abominable. Referring to idolatry, and its accompaniments.

transgressions = rebellions. Bob. pasha '. App-44 .

dwellingplaces . Septuagint reads "lawlessnesses". Compare Jeremiah 2:19 ; Jeremiah 3:22 ; Jeremiah 5:6 . So Houbigant, Bishops Newcombe and Horsley, with Ginsburg.

wherein = whereby.

sinned. Hebrew. chata '. App-44 .

My People = to Me a People.

their God = to them a God.

God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .

Verse 24

David My servant = Hebrew My servant David. Occurs five times (Ezekiel 34:23 , Ezekiel 34:24 ; Eze 37:24 . 1 Kings 11:32 ; 1 Kings 14:8 ). In Ezekiel 37:25 and 2 Samuel 3:18 tis (in Hebrew) "David My servant" (though the Authorized Version there renders it "My servant David").

shepherd = ruler.

judgments . . . statutes. See note on Deuteronomy 4:1 .

Verse 25

And they shall dwell . Repeated in middle of the verse by the Figure of speech Mesarchia ( App-6 ), for emphasis. given unto Jacob. And not any other land.

My servant David . Here, it is (in Hebrew) "David My servant".

Verse 26

covenant of peace. Compare Ezekiel 34:25 .

everlasting covenant. See notes on Genesis 9:16 , and Isaiah 44:7 .

Verse 27

tabernacle. Her. mishkan . See App-42 . Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:11 , Leviticus 26:12 ). App-92 .

Verse 28

shall know . See note on Eze 6:30 .

when, &c. = by the existence of My sanctuary in, &c.

for evermore. Therefore this prophecy yet awaits its fulfilment.