Ezekiel 37 — Dry bones live and the two sticks become one — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 37:19
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Ezekiel 37 — Dry bones live and the two sticks become one
37:1–37:10 — The valley of dry bones
Verse 37:1 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:1] YHWH’s hand was upon me. He brought me out by YHWH’s Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley, which was full of bones.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:1] The Lord’s hand came upon me. The Lord brought me out in spirit and set me in the middle of the plain, which was full of human bones.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew valley and YHWH’s Spirit becomes Greek plain and in spirit; Greek explicitly identifies the bones as human.
Verse 37:2 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:2] He led me all around them. Behold, there were very many upon the valley’s surface, and behold, they were very dry.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:2] He led me all around them, and behold, there were very many upon the plain’s surface, very dry.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Greek lacks the second behold; both stress the number and dryness.
Verse 37:3 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:3] He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ I said, ‘Lord YHWH, You know.’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:3] He said to me, ‘Son of man, will these bones live?’ I said, ‘Lord, You know these things.’
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Greek has Lord alone and explicitly these things.
Verse 37:4 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:4] He said to me, ‘Prophesy over these bones and say to them, Dry bones, hear YHWH’s word!
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:4] He said to me, ‘Prophesy over these bones and say to them, Dry bones, hear the Lord’s word:
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both directly address the bones.
Verse 37:5 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:5] Thus says Lord YHWH to these bones: Behold, I am bringing breath into you, and you will live.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:5] Thus says the Lord to these bones: Behold, I am bringing the breath of life into you,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek explicitly says of life and lacks the separate you will live in this verse.
Verse 37:6 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:6] I will put sinews upon you, bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you. You will live and know that I am YHWH.’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:6] and I will put sinews upon you, bring flesh upon you, stretch skin over you and put My Spirit into you. You will live and know that I am the Lord.’
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew unqualified ruaḥ, rendered breath, becomes explicit Greek My pneuma, rendered My Spirit. Both words can mean breath, wind or spirit; the possessive difference is preserved.
Verse 37:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:7] I prophesied as I had been commanded. As I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling; the bones drew near, each bone to its bone.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:7] I prophesied as He commanded me. As I prophesied, behold, there was a shaking, and the bones came together, each to its joint.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew sound and rattling becomes Greek shaking without a separate sound clause; bone to its bone becomes each to its joint. Greek’s singular verb is read with the neuter-plural bones, without inserting God as an unstated agent.
Verse 37:8 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:8] I looked, and behold, sinews were upon them, flesh came up and skin covered them above, but there was no breath in them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:8] I saw, and behold, sinews and flesh grew upon them, and skin came up over them, but there was no breath in them.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The assembled bodies still lack breath in both.
Verse 37:9 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:9] He said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath! Prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says Lord YHWH: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, so that they may live!’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:9] He said to me, ‘Prophesy, son of man! Prophesy to the breath and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord: Come from the four winds and breathe into these dead, and let them live!’
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both use one ancient word for breath/winds. Hebrew slain becomes Greek dead; Hebrew upon becomes Greek into.
Verse 37:10 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:10] I prophesied as He commanded me. The breath entered them, and they lived and stood upon their feet, a very, very great army.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:10] I prophesied as He commanded me. The breath entered them, and they lived and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great assembly.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew army becomes Greek assembly; Hebrew very is repeated.
Rabbinic: Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 92b.2–4 [R1], preserves several interpretations: revived people who sang and died, an actual revival followed by family life, and a parable. The discussion does not speak with a single voice on the vision's literal realization.
37:11–37:14 — Israel’s graves opened
Verse 37:11 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:11] He said to me, ‘Son of man, these bones are all Israel’s house. Behold, they say, Our bones are dried, our hope has perished; we are cut off.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:11] The Lord spoke to me, saying, ‘Son of man, these bones are all Israel’s house, and they say, Our bones have become dry, our hope has perished; we are utterly spent.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Greek explicitly names the Lord and describes being spent rather than Hebrew cut off. Both explicitly identify the vision with Israel’s house.
Verse 37:12 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:12] Therefore prophesy and say to them, Thus says Lord YHWH: Behold, I am opening your graves and bringing you up from your graves, My people. I will bring you into Israel’s soil.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:12] Therefore prophesy and say, Thus says the Lord: Behold, I am opening your tombs and will bring you up from your tombs and into Israel’s land,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek lacks the My people address here; it appears as an object in 37:13.
Patristic: Irenaeus, Against Heresies V.15.1 [P2], reads the bones and opened graves as testimony to bodily resurrection by the Creator, whom he identifies with the good Father.
Verse 37:13 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:13] You will know that I am YHWH when I open your graves and bring you up from your graves, My people.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:13] and you will know that I am the Lord when I open your graves to bring My people up from the graves.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew My people is a direct address; Greek the expressed object of bringing up.
Verse 37:14 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:14] I will put My Spirit in you, and you will live. I will settle you upon your soil, and you will know that I, YHWH, have spoken and acted, declares YHWH.’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:14] I will put My Spirit into you, and you will live. I will place you upon your land, and you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.’
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both now explicitly name My Spirit; Hebrew’s completed action becomes Greek future action.
37:15–37:20 — The joined sticks
Verse 37:15 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:15] YHWH’s word came to me, saying,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:15] The Lord’s word came to me, saying,
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The renewed word formula agrees.
Verse 37:16 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:16] ‘And you, son of man, take one stick and write upon it, For Judah and Israel’s sons, his companions. Take another stick and write upon it, For Joseph, Ephraim’s stick, and all Israel’s house, his companions.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:16] ‘Son of man, take a staff for yourself and write upon it Judah and Israel’s sons attached to him. Take a second staff for yourself and write upon it, For Joseph—Ephraim’s staff—and all Israel’s sons joined to him.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew wood or stick becomes Greek staff; the second label names Israel’s house versus Israel’s sons.
Verse 37:17 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:17] Bring them near to one another for yourself as one stick, so that they become one in your hand.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:17] Join them to one another for yourself as one staff, binding them together, and they will be in your hand.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Greek explicitly describes binding; Hebrew explicitly ends with one in your hand.
Verse 37:18 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:18] When your people’s sons say to you, Will you not tell us what these things mean to you?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:18] When your people’s sons say to you, Will you not tell us what these things mean to you?
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The explanatory question agrees.
Verse 37:19 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:19] say to them, Thus says Lord YHWH: Behold, I am taking Joseph’s stick, which is in Ephraim’s hand, and Israel’s tribes, his companions. I will place them upon it, together with Judah’s stick, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:19] say to them, Thus says the Lord: Behold, I will take Joseph’s tribe through Ephraim’s hand, and Israel’s tribes attached to him, and place them upon Judah’s tribe. They will become one staff in Judah’s hand.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew sticks become Greek tribes before the final staff, and Hebrew My hand becomes explicit Greek Judah’s hand. Hebrew’s compressed upon-it/with-Judah relation remains provisional.
Verse 37:20 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:20] The sticks upon which you write shall be in your hand before their eyes.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:20] The staffs upon which you wrote shall be in your hand before them,
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew writing is prospective; Greek completed.
37:21–37:28 — One people and an everlasting covenant
Verse 37:21 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:21] Say to them, Thus says Lord YHWH: Behold, I am taking Israel’s sons from among the nations where they went, gathering them from all around and bringing them into their own soil.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:21] and say to them, Thus says the Lord, the Lord: Behold, I am taking all Israel’s house from among the nations where they entered, gathering them from all those around them and bringing them into Israel’s land.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew Israel’s sons/own soil becomes Greek all Israel’s house/Israel’s land.
Verse 37:22 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:22] I will make them one nation in the land upon Israel’s mountains, and one king will be king over them all. They will no longer be two nations or ever again be divided into two kingdoms.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:22] I will make them one nation in My land and upon Israel’s mountains, and one ruler will be theirs. They will no longer be two nations or ever again be divided into two kingdoms,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek explicitly says My land and has ruler instead of Hebrew king repeated twice.
Verse 37:23 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:23] They will no longer defile themselves with their idols, detestable things or any of their transgressions. I will save them from all their dwelling places where they sinned and cleanse them. They will be My people, and I will be their God.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:23] so that they no longer defile themselves with their idols. I will deliver them from all their lawless deeds in which they sinned and cleanse them. They will be My people, and I, the Lord, will be their God.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek lacks the detestable-things and transgressions list and saves from lawless deeds where Hebrew says dwelling places. Greek explicitly adds Lord.
Verse 37:24 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:24] My servant David will be king over them, and one shepherd will be over them all. They will walk in My judgments, keep My statutes and do them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:24] My servant David will be ruler among them, and one shepherd will be over all, because they will walk in My ordinances, keep My judgments and do them.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew king over them becomes Greek ruler among them; judgment/statute order differs, and Greek explicitly adds because.
Verse 37:25 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:25] They will dwell upon the land I gave My servant Jacob, where your fathers dwelt. They, their sons and their sons’ sons will dwell upon it forever, and David My servant will be their prince forever.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:25] They will dwell upon their land, which I gave My servant Jacob, where their fathers dwelt. They will dwell upon it, and David My servant will be their ruler forever.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek has their fathers, lacks sons and grandsons and the first forever, while retaining David’s everlasting rule.
Verse 37:26 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:26] I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. I will establish them and multiply them, and set My sanctuary among them forever.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:26] I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. I will set My holy things among them forever.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek lacks establishing and multiplying the people; Hebrew sanctuary becomes Greek plural holy things.
Verse 37:27 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:27] My dwelling will be over them. I will be their God, and they will be My people.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:27] My dwelling will be among them. I will be their God, and they will be My people.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew over them becomes Greek among them.
Verse 37:28 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[37:28] The nations will know that I am YHWH who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is among them forever.’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[37:28] The nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them, when My holy things are among them forever.’”
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew explicitly names Israel and a sanctuary; Greek them and plural holy things.