Initial and Restored Life

The other words in this verse appear in a generic form, but “al-mawtā” (the dead) is a plural with the definite article: “And I give life to the dead” and its meaning is that I can give life to many dead.

Jesus (a.s.), by God’s permission, granted both initial life and restored life; like Abraham the Friend (a.s.), he is both a manifestation of “He is the Restorer” and “He is the Life-Giver.” The phrase “I will create for you from clay the form of a bird” expresses the granting of initial life, and the phrase “and I give life to the dead” expresses the restoration of life.

Additionally, the form “uḥyī” (I give life) and the fact that “al-mawtā” (the dead) is a definite plural indicates continuity; meaning that for the completion of proof, either initially or whenever it was requested of him as a miracle, he would give life to the dead.