The entire chapter of Ezekiel 37 describes the final restoration of Israel. But I don't think all of it is describing this event in the way many of us have been led to think.
Many interpreters, especially in dispensational or historic premillennial traditions, see Ezekiel 37:1–14 (the valley of dry bones) primarily as a metaphor for the national restoration of Israel - ie. the regathering of Israel from the nations. That regathering from the nations is described throughout the Book of Ezekiel and even in the latter part of this chapter (vs 21).
"Behold, I will take the whole house of Israel out of the midst of the nations, among whom they have gone, and I will gather them from all that are round about them, and I will bring them into the land of Israel."
Ezek 37:21
But in Ezekiel 37:1-14, I really don't think that's the case.
Throughout the Book of Ezekiel, the regathering of Israel is described clearly - in plain language. Even when touched on in the second half of this chapter - "I will take the whole house of Israel out of the midst of the nations". But in Ezek 37:1-14, he uses explicit resurrection language.
Look at the statements carefully.
Some translations capture this event better than others. I like this one from the Septuagint:
And the hand of the Lord came upon me, and the Lord brought me forth by the Spirit, and set me in the midst of the plain, and it was full of human bones. And he led me round about them every way: and, behold, there were very many on the face of the plain, very dry. And he said to me, Son of man, will these bones live? and I said, O Lord God, thou knowest this. And he said to me, Prophesy upon these bones, and thou shalt say to them, Ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord to these bones; Behold, I will bring upon you the breath of life: and I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and will spread skin upon you, and will put my Spirit into you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
So I prophesied as the Lord commanded me: and it came to pass while I was prophesying, that, behold, there was a shaking, and the bones approached each one to his joint. And I looked, and behold, sinews and flesh grew upon them, and skin came upon them above: but there was not breath in them. And he said to me, Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord; Come from the four winds, and breathe upon these dead men, and let them live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath entered into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, a very great congregation.
And the Lord spoke to me, saying, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: and they say, Our bones are become dry, our hope has perished, we are quite spent. Therefore prophesy and say, thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will open your tombs, and will bring you up out of your tombs, and will bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, that I may bring up my people from their graves. And I will put my Spirit within you, and ye shall live, and I will place you upon your own land: and ye shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and will do it, saith the Lord.
Ezek 37:1-14
Note that in this same chapter Ezekiel states "My servant David will be king over them" (vs. 24) and "My servant David will be their prince forever" (vs. 25).
Where does David come from?
In the verses above, I believe Ezekiel is describing the resurrection event - from Israel's perspective!
All of Ezekiel 37 is describing the restoration of Israel. But from a couple of different angles. This restoration is accomplished through resurrection (vs 1-14) and regathering (vs. 15-28) under one nation (vs. 17) .
And then...
They will live in the land that I gave to My servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They will live there forever with their children and grandchildren, and My servant David will be their prince forever. And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be My people. Then the nations will know that I the LORD sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is among them forever.
Ezek 37:25-28
