594. A person's regeneration is described in Ezekiel by 'dry bones', on which sinews were fastened and then flesh and skin, and finally breath was breathed into them to bring them to life again (Ezekiel 37:1-14). It is plain that this is a representation of regeneration from it being said there:

These bones are the whole house of Israel (verse 11).

There is also a comparison there with graves, for it says that He would open the graves and cause the bones to rise from them, and put spirit in them, and settle them upon the land of Israel (verses 12-14). The land of Israel there and elsewhere means the church. The representation of regeneration was effected by means of bones and graves, because the person who has not been regenerated is called dead, and one who has is called alive. The one contains spiritual life, the other spiritual death.