Is the Valley of Dry Bones Prophecy Fulfilled?

Ezekiel 37:1-14 describes the prophecy of the Valley of Dry Bones. Some people believe this prophecy relates to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. Did the creation of the state of Israel really fulfill the prophecy?

In this article, I will examine whether the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 fulfilled the Valley of Dry Bones prophecy (and if not, when the prophecy might be fulfilled).

The Key to the Valley of Dry Bones Prophecy

The key to answering if the prophecy is fulfilled is to look at what happens when the prophecy is fulfilled.

Ezekiel 37:12-14

Ezekiel 37:12-14 merits special attention. The passage summarizes what will happen when the Valley of Dry Bones prophecy is finally fulfilled. The prophecy’s fulfillment will result in the house of Israel knowing that the Lord performed what He spoke (verse 14):

“(12) Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. (13) And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, (14) And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.” (Ezekiel 37:12-14)

Ezekiel 37:12-14 mentions that the house of Israel shall know the Lord twice. Given that this is mentioned twice within three verses, it is a development worth focusing on.

Again, verse 14 indicates that the fulfillment of the prophecy will result in the house of Israel knowing that the Lord performed what He spoke. This will come after the house of Israel is placed in their own land. However, verse 14 alone does not tell us when that will transpire.

Let’s look at several other Bible prophecy passages to get a better idea of the time frame and the circumstances of when the house of Israel shall gain a knowledge of the Lord.

To Know the Lord

Ezekiel 39 provides information about the time frame when the house of Israel shall know the Lord in general. Ezekiel 39:21-22 indicates that the house of Israel shall know the Lord “from that day and forward” after the defeat of Gog’s forces:

“(21) And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them. (22) So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.” (Ezekiel 39:21-22)

The defeat of Gog referenced in Ezekiel 39 will take place when the Lord comes to defeat the nations that attack Jerusalem during the end time siege of Jerusalem (this differs from the defeat of Gog referenced in Ezekiel 38, which is likely to occur after the Millennium).

Therefore, the soonest the house of Israel will know the Lord in general is at the defeat of the nations that will attack Jerusalem. This alone suggests that the Valley of Dry Bones prophecy is not yet fulfilled and won’t be until the latter stages of the end times.

Gain Further Knowledge about the Lord

Ezekiel 39:25-28 tells us more about the time frame the whole house of Israel shall gain further knowledge of the Lord. The house of Israel shall know the Lord caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen after they have been completely gathered (“I have left none of them any more there”) from the nations to the land of Israel:

“(25) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; (26) After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid. (27) When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; (28) Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.” (Ezekiel 39:25-28)

The knowledge of the Lord gained by the house of Israel after they gather from the nations is distinct from the knowledge of the Lord they will gain following the defeat of Gog:

  • The house of Israel will gain a general knowledge that the Lord is God after the defeat of Gog.
  • The house of Israel will learn that the Lord caused them to be led into captivity after they arrive in the land of Israel. Similarly, they will learn that the Lord did what He spoke of in the Valley of Dry Bones prophecy after they gather in the land of Israel.

The detail about how the Lord will leave none of the house of Israel in the nations any more is important. This detail suggests that this is not a partial gathering like what has taken place since 1948. Instead, this is a full gathering that will occur near the start of the Millennium as described in various Bible prophecy verses like Isaiah 66:18-20:

(18) For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. (19) And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. (20) And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.” (Isaiah 66:18-20)

What Ezekiel 39 Tells us

Consequently, Ezekiel 39 suggests

  • The house of Israel shall not know the Lord until the defeat of Gog in the latter stages of the end times.
  • The gathering of the house of Israel from the nations will occur near the start of the Millennium.

We can further place the fulfillment of Ezekiel 37:12-14 in the latter portion of the end times by comparing Ezekiel 37:12-14 with Ezekiel 39:27-29.

The table below shows Ezekiel 37:12-14 and Ezekiel 39:27-29. The parallels further suggest that the fulfillment of Ezekiel 37:12-14 will come after the defeat of Gog in the latter stages of the end times and the final gathering of the house of Israel from the nations:


Comparing Ezekiel 37:12-14 & Ezekiel 39:27-29

  • Know the Lord
  • Gathered to Israel
  • Spirit Poured

Ezekiel 37:12-14: (12) Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. (13) And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, (14) And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

Ezekiel 39:27-29: (27) When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; (28) Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there. (29) Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.


In addition, the Lord says the house of Israel shall gain knowledge about Him when He puts His spirit in them (Ezekiel 37:14) and when they arrive in the land of Israel (Ezekiel 39:28). This cannot relate to the state of Israel’s creation in 1948. The Lord has yet to pour His spirit upon the house of Israel nor has a complete gathering taken place yet.

More Verses to Consider

The following sections further demonstrate:

  • The latter portion of Ezekiel 39 relates to the latter stages of the end times.
  • The fulfillment of the Valley of Dry Bones prophecy, including the gathering of the house of Israel to the land of Israel, won’t occur until the latter stages of the end times.

Ezekiel 28:25-26

Ezekiel 28:25-26 also provides us information about when the house of Israel shall have knowledge of the Lord. Like the other passages, Ezekiel 28:26 suggests that the house of Israel shall have knowledge of the Lord when they have gathered in the land of Israel.

“(25) Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and’ shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob. (26) And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.” (Ezekiel 28:25-26)

The table below shows Ezekiel 28:25-26 and Ezekiel 39:25-28. The similarities between Ezekiel 28:25-26 and Ezekiel 39:25-28 suggest that these passages are talking about the same general time frame:


Comparing Ezekiel 28:25-26 & Ezekiel 39:25-28

  • Know the Lord
  • Gathered to Israel
  • Dwelling Safely

Ezekiel 28:25-26: (25) Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob. (26) And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.

Ezekiel 39:25-28: (25) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; (26) After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid. (27) When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; (28) Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.


Ezekiel 34:27-28 & Ezekiel 36:38 Comparison

Ezekiel 28:25-26 must refer to the time period after the defeat of Gog given that Ezekiel 39:25-28 refers to the period after the defeat of Gog. Once again, the house of Israel shall have knowledge of the Lord following the defeat of Gog.

Ezekiel 34:27-28 and Ezekiel 36:38 both indicate that the house of Israel will have knowledge of the Lord when they are in the land of Israel:


Comparing Ezekiel 34:27-28 & Ezekiel 36:38

Ezekiel 36:28, 37-38: (28) And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God…(37) Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock. (38) As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 34:27-28: (27) And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them. (28) And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.


A close review of these passages shows that they apply around the time of the Millennium. For instance, Ezekiel 34:28 mentions that Israel “shall no more be a prey to the heathen” while Ezekiel 36:38 mentions that the waste cities shall be filled with men.

Moreover, recall the comparison of Ezekiel 28:25-26 and Ezekiel 39:25-28. The table below shows that Ezekiel 34:27-28 relates to each of these passages:


Similarities between Ezekiel 34:27-28, 28:25-26, and 39:25-28

  • House of Israel
  • Dwelling Safely
  • Gathered

Ezekiel 39:25-28: (25) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; (26) After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid. (27) When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; (28) Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.

Ezekiel 28:25-26: (25) Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob. (26) And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.

Ezekiel 34:27-28: (27) And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them. (28) And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.


Given these similarities,

  • Ezekiel 34:27-28 must refer to the period after Gog’s defeat given that Ezekiel 39:25-28 refers to the period after the defeat of Gog.
  • We can say that the house of Israel will have knowledge of the Lord when they are in the land of Israel after the defeat of Gog near the start of the Millennium.

Adding Ezekiel 37:12-14

Now let’s add Ezekiel 37:12-14 to the mix. The many similarities between all these passages reaffirms that the fulfillment of the Valley of Dry Bones prophecy won’t occur until the latter stages of the end times:


Comparing Ezekiel 37:12-14 with Several Passages

  • Know the Lord
  • Dwelling Safely
  • Gathered to Israel
  • Add Spirit

Ezekiel 37:12-14: (12) Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. (13) And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, (14) And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

Ezekiel 39:27-29: (27) When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; (28) Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there. (29) Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 28:25-26: (25) Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob. (26) And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.

Ezekiel 34:27-28: (27) And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them. (28) And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.


Conclusion on the Valley of Dry Bones

In sum, the forming of the state of Israel in 1948 did not fulfill the Valley of Dry Bones prophecy. The house of Israel does not yet know the Lord. The full return of the house of Israel to the land of Israel will not occur until after the defeat of Gog near the start of the Millennium. Therefore, the fulfillment of the prophecy will not occur until near the start of the Millennium.

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Wayne Croley
Wayne Croley

Hi! I’ve studied and written about Bible prophecy since I was a teenager. My goal is to make Bible prophecy easy for you to understand while avoiding the sensationalism seen elsewhere. I am the author of several end time books, including Prophecy Proof Insights on the End Times, a comprehensive book about the end times. I hold an M.B.A. and degrees in Managerial Economics and Political Science.