Is the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37 the literal Kidron Valley?
No. The valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37 is not the literal Kidron Valley, though a guide called it that. The passage refers to the nation of Israel scattered among the Gentile nations, out of the land and in its grave, without land, altar, or priesthood since 70 A.D.
Les explains that when he and a group were in Israel, their guide pointed to the Valley of Kidron and said the Jews call it the Valley of Dry Bones because of the many graves visible from the Mount of Olives across the Kidron up to the old wall. But Les emphasizes that this is not what Ezekiel 37 is about. Ezekiel 37 concerns the nation of Israel scattered out among the Gentile nations from one end of the world to the other. Israel out of the land is a nation in its grave. This has been the lot of the Jew since 70 A.D. — without a land, without an altar, without a priesthood. Les notes the bones were very dry, showing Israel had been out of the place of blessing a long time, over 1,900 years. But it will not stay that way.
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,
More Questions
What is the key concept to remember when reading Ezekiel 37?
The whole concept to remember when reading Ezekiel 37 is that it deals with Israel scattered among the Gentile nations and, at this time, without a land, without an altar, and without a priesthood.