Sometimes we hear the phrase dry bones. Yes, there are dry bone Bible verses. The concept today is used as a metaphor where dry bones are resurrected. It may look like the dry bones of a marriage. Or dry bones of a career. Perhaps the metaphor applies to dry bones of a community. Or a broken spirit. 

In any case, the dry bones metaphor comes from the Bible. Originally and most often understood, as the answer to a prophetic prayer. Pick a verse from the list below and pray earnestly over your dry bones! 

(image:Unsplash)

“He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out.” (Ezekiel‬ ‭37:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

“He said to me, “Prophesy concerning these bones and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” (Ezekiel‬ ‭37:4‬ ‭HCSB‬‬)

“Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” (Ezekiel‬ ‭37:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

“Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Look how they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off.’” (‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭37:11‬ ‭HCSB‬‬)

“Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.’” (Ezekiel‬ ‭37:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs‬ ‭17:22‬ ‭HCSB‬‬)

“The Lord will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose waters never run dry.” (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58:11‬ ‭HCSB‬‬)

Bible Copyrights For This Article

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.