Many claim that the prophet Ezekiel had a vision of necromancy in the Old Testament and that God commanded him to raise an undead army. But is this true? What does the story of the Valley of Dry Bones mean?
The Old Testament, a collection of sacred texts in Judaism and Christianity, is filled with fascinating narratives. One such narrative is the account of the prophet Ezekiel raising an army of the undead in a valley of dry bones. This tale, found in Ezekiel chapter 37, is one of the most vivid and intriguing prophetic visions in the Bible. It is also a seminal text for understanding the evolving concept of resurrection in the Old Testament.
Necromancy?
While the term necromancy typically refers to a practice of magic involving communication with the dead to predict the future, the Old Testament generally portrays such practices negatively. Necromantic rituals are strictly forbidden in several verses, such as Deuteronomy 18:10-12, which states that God finds these practices detestable.
However, Ezekiel’s vision stands out as a unique instance where God gave the prophet specific instructions to bring back an army of the dead to life. While Ezekiel does not practice forbidden occult arts, his vision incorporates vivid necromantic elements through God’s power.
The incident of Ezekiel and the valley of dry bones is not viewed through the lens of necromancy but rather as a prophetic vision of resurrection.
Dry Bones
Ezekiel was a significant prophet in Israel during the 6th century BC. His ministry occurred during a time of great upheaval and despair, as the Babylonian Empire had besieged Jerusalem and taken many Israelites into captivity. Ezekiel himself was among these exiles. The central message of Ezekiel’s prophecies is the promise of both judgment and restoration. His visions, which include the famous vision of the valley of dry bones, are known for their vivid and dramatic nature.
The prophecy of the dry bones in Ezekiel 37 is one of the most powerful visual metaphors in the Bible. In the vision, God transports Ezekiel to a valley filled with dry bones. God commands Ezekiel to prophesy over the bones, and as he does, the bones come together, flesh forms on them, and breath enters them. They stand up, forming a vast army.
Ezekiel 37 begins, “The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”
Ezekiel 37 continues, “Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
Further it reads, “So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.”
This vision wasn’t a tale of horror or an act of necromancy. Rather, it was a powerful symbol of hope and resurrection. God explains the vision to Ezekiel, stating that the bones represent the house of Israel, who feel their hope is lost and they are cut off from their land. Yet, God promises to open their graves and bring them back to the land of Israel.
Analysis
The vision of the dry bones serves multiple purposes within the context of Ezekiel’s prophecy. Firstly, it’s a promise of restoration for Israel. Just as the dry bones were brought back to life, so too would the exiled Israelites be brought back to their homeland. Secondly, it presents a metaphorical depiction of resurrection. While physical resurrection was not a widely held belief in Old Testament times, this passage provides a vivid metaphor for God’s ability to restore life where there appears to be none.
It’s also significant to note that God’s spirit directly performs the resurrection of the dry bones, emphasizing God’s authority and power. This event is not an act of necromancy but a divine miracle. Thus, this narrative is less about the undead and more about the hope for renewal and restoration.
Ezekiel’s striking vision uses the imagery of resurrecting the dead to illustrate God’s promise of restoring Israel from exile. Though involving necromantic overtones, the vision ultimately conveys the message that God alone controls life and death for His people. Ezekiel calls Israel to trust in God’s power and restoration even in their darkest hour of captivity. The vision offers hope of revival and redemption through God’s miraculous intervention, bringing dead bones back to life.
Conclusion
The story of Ezekiel and the valley of dry bones is a powerful narrative within the Old Testament. It is not a tale of necromancy, but rather a prophetic vision filled with hope and the promise of restoration. This narrative metaphorically illustrates the concept of resurrection, showcasing God’s ability to restore life and hope where there is despair and destruction. Through understanding this tale in its proper context, readers can gain a deeper appreciation for the profound themes and messages within the Old Testament.
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