Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD …: Parts of this verse are very similar to verses 4-5 (see the comments there). The main difference is that here Ezekiel must Prophesy to the breath, instead of the bones. Breath renders the Hebrew word ruach, which can mean “breath,” “wind,” or “spirit” (see the introductory comments on this subunit). Apart from the reference to the four winds, it is not easy to decide how to render ruach in this verse. Most translations use “breath” (Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New International Reader’s Version, New King James Version , New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Jerusalem Bible/New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), but many others prefer “wind” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, Revised English Bible). A few choose “spirit” (New American Bible, Christian Community Bible). In those languages that are not able to reflect the ambiguity of the Hebrew word ruach, it is probably best to make the following distinction: When the word is used of something outside the body, “wind” is preferable (so in this verse). When it refers to the breath of a person, or someone blowing air out of their mouth or nose, “breath” is preferable. Even when it refers to what gives people life (for example, we say that a man is still alive as long as he is still breathing), “breath” is probably the best rendering, although a term such as “spirit” that includes the idea of a life-giving principle is acceptable. Any definite reference to the Holy Spirit is out of place in this passage, except perhaps in verse 14 (see the comments there). Despite the similarity of the English word, the verb breathe renders a different Hebrew word that can mean “blow on/in/over.” It is used in Gen 2.7, when God blew the breath of life into the nostrils of the clay man he had made.
Come from the four winds, O breath: Winds and breath render the same Hebrew word ruach. The four winds refer to the four directions of the compass (north, east, south, west) and the phrase means “from every direction” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). It may sound odd to give a command to breath (or, wind), but this is a vision, and translators should retain it by saying “Breath [or, Wind] come from all directions.”
And breathe upon these slain: Breathe upon may be rendered “breathe [life] into” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, New Living Translation, Revised English Bible). These slain indicates that the people, whose bones these were, did not die a natural death. Apparently they had been killed in battle. The Hebrew word for slain suggests that they had died violently, probably pierced by swords and cut into pieces. These slain may be rendered “these people who died in battle” or “these people whom the enemy killed.”
That they may live may be translated “so they can live again” (Contemporary English Version).
A model for this verse is:
• Then he said to me, “Human being, speak my message to the wind. Tell the wind what the Lord Yahweh says to it: O wind, come from every direction and blow on [or, breathe into] these people who were killed, so that they will come to life again.”
Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .