The Meaning of Ezekiel 37:7 Explained

Ezekiel 37:7

KJV: So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

YLT: And I have prophesied as I have been commanded, and there is a noise, as I am prophesying, and lo, a rushing, and draw near do the bones, bone unto its bone.

Darby: And I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a rustling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone.

ASV: So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and, behold, an earthquake; and the bones came together, bone to its bone.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

So I prophesied  as I was commanded:  and as I prophesied,  there was a noise,  and behold a shaking,  and the bones  came together,  bone  to his bone. 

What does Ezekiel 37:7 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 37:7 mean?

So I prophesied as I was commanded and there was a noise as I prophesied and suddenly a rattling and came together the bones bone to bone
וְנִבֵּ֖אתִי כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר צֻוֵּ֑יתִי וַֽיְהִי־ ק֤וֹל כְּהִנָּֽבְאִי֙ וְהִנֵּה־ רַ֔עַשׁ וַתִּקְרְב֣וּ עֲצָמ֔וֹת עֶ֖צֶם אֶל־ עַצְמֽוֹ

וְנִבֵּ֖אתִי  So  I  prophesied 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Nifal, Conjunctive perfect, first person common singular
Root: נָבָא  
Sense: to prophesy.
צֻוֵּ֑יתִי  I  was  commanded 
Parse: Verb, Pual, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: צָוָה  
Sense: to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order.
וַֽיְהִי־  and  there  was 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
ק֤וֹל  a  noise 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: קֹול 
Sense: voice, sound, noise.
כְּהִנָּֽבְאִי֙  as  I  prophesied 
Parse: Preposition-k, Verb, Nifal, Infinitive construct, first person common singular
Root: נָבָא  
Sense: to prophesy.
וְהִנֵּה־  and  suddenly 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Interjection
Root: הִנֵּה  
Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
רַ֔עַשׁ  a  rattling 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: רַעַשׁ  
Sense: quaking, rattling, shaking.
וַתִּקְרְב֣וּ  and  came  together 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person feminine plural
Root: קָרַב  
Sense: to come near, approach, enter into, draw near.
עֲצָמ֔וֹת  the  bones 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: עֶצֶם 
Sense: bone, essence, substance.
עֶ֖צֶם  bone 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: עֶצֶם 
Sense: bone, essence, substance.
עַצְמֽוֹ  bone 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: עֶצֶם 
Sense: bone, essence, substance.