The Meaning of Ezekiel 37:5 Explained

Ezekiel 37:5

KJV: Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:

YLT: Thus said the Lord Jehovah to these bones: Lo, I am bringing into you a spirit, and ye have lived,

Darby: Thus saith the Lord Jehovah unto these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live.

ASV: Thus saith the Lord Jehovah unto these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thus saith  the Lord  GOD  unto these bones;  Behold, I will cause breath  to enter  into you, and ye shall live: 

What does Ezekiel 37:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Ezekiel 37:1-14 - The Resurrection Of A Dead Nation
A marvelous chapter-the vision is so graphic. Time does not rob it of its significance. Indeed every sign points to speedy fulfillment. The Jewish nation has long resembled those dry and bleaching bones; and the state of sinners generally may truly be described in the same terms. The condition of many souls and neighborhoods is comparable to the harrowing scenes of a recent battlefield. We may preach so as to effect an outward revolution, but there can be no life until the divine breath passes over them. We must preach the Word, instant in season and out; but we must also call on the Spirit of Life. Those that are in their graves must hear the voice of the Son of God. The promises of Ezekiel 37:13-14 await literal fulfillment in the case of the Jews, but let us plead that they may be also realized in our own congregations and neighborhoods. Revival will assuredly end in unity. [source]

Chapter Summary: Ezekiel 37

1  By the resurrection of dry bones
11  the dead hope of Israel is revived
15  By the uniting of two sticks
18  is shown the incorporation of Israel into Judah
21  The promises of Christ's kingdom

What do the individual words in Ezekiel 37:5 mean?

Thus says the Lord GOD to bones these surely I will cause to enter into you breath and you shall live
כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֔ה לָעֲצָמ֖וֹת הָאֵ֑לֶּה הִנֵּ֨ה אֲנִ֜י מֵבִ֥יא בָכֶ֛ם ר֖וּחַ וִחְיִיתֶֽם

כֹּ֤ה  Thus 
Parse: Adverb
Root: כֹּה  
Sense: thus, here, in this manner.
אָמַר֙  says 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אֲדֹנָ֣י  the  Lord 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲדֹנָי  
Sense: my lord, lord.
יְהוִ֔ה  GOD 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: Jehovah—used primarily in the combination ‘Lord Jehovah’.
לָעֲצָמ֖וֹת  to  bones 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Noun, feminine plural
Root: עֶצֶם 
Sense: bone, essence, substance.
הָאֵ֑לֶּה  these 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, common plural
Root: אֵהֶל 
Sense: these.
הִנֵּ֨ה  surely 
Parse: Interjection
Root: הִנֵּה  
Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
מֵבִ֥יא  will  cause  to  enter 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
בָכֶ֛ם  into  you 
Parse: Preposition, second person masculine plural
ר֖וּחַ  breath 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: רוּחַ  
Sense: wind, breath, mind, spirit.
וִחְיִיתֶֽם  and  you  shall  live 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: חָיָה  
Sense: to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health.