Do Ezekiel's symbols such as the dry bones and fiery wheels have any literal meaning?
Yes, Ezekiel's dry bones, sticks, and fiery wheels are symbolic, but they carry literal truth. Though written in symbolism from outside Israel, these prophetic images are not empty; Scripture itself interprets such symbolisms in one place or another, giving them real, substantive meaning.
Les explains that Ezekiel is one of three prophetic books written by Jewish men outside the land of Israel, alongside Daniel and Revelation. He points out that Ezekiel uses the dry bones, the sticks, and the fiery wheels. Those are symbolisms, yet they have a literal truth. The same pattern holds for Daniel's great image and Revelation's symbolic language: the symbols are interpreted by Scripture itself in one place or another.
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Does Ezekiel's use of dry bones, sticks, and fiery wheels have literal meaning?
Ezekiel's images of dry bones, sticks, and fiery wheels are symbolisms, but they carry a literal truth.