Ezekiel 38:1
Ezekiel 38:1 in Multiple Translations
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
A message from the Lord came to me, saying,
And the worde of the Lord came vnto mee, saying,
And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying:
The LORD’s word came to me, saying,
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
Yahweh gave me another message. He said to me,
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 38:1
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 38:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְהִ֥י
דְבַר
יְהוָ֖ה
אֵלַ֥/י
לֵ/אמֹֽר
וַ/יְהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
דְבַר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-ms
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֵלַ֥/י
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 38:1
וַ/יְהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
דְבַר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֵלַ֥/י
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 38:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — A Prophecy against Gog
Ezekiel 38:1 Summary
[This verse reminds us that God still speaks to His people today, just like He did to Ezekiel, and we can hear His voice through Scripture and prayer, as seen in Psalm 119:105 and Matthew 4:4. Ezekiel's experience teaches us that God calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things, and that He guides and equips them for the task, as seen in Exodus 4:10-12 and 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. As we read this verse, we're invited to slow down, listen, and pay attention to what God is saying to us, just like Ezekiel did, and to trust that He will guide and direct us, as promised in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Isaiah 30:21.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when the Bible says 'the word of the LORD came to me'?
This phrase indicates that God is speaking directly to the prophet Ezekiel, guiding him to deliver a message to His people, similar to what we see in Jeremiah 1:4 and Isaiah 6:1.
Why does Ezekiel receive these messages from God?
Ezekiel is a prophet called by God to speak on His behalf, as seen in Ezekiel 2:1-3, and these messages are meant to guide and instruct God's people, as also seen in Deuteronomy 18:18.
Is this verse still relevant to us today?
Yes, the messages God gave to Ezekiel are still relevant today, as they provide insight into God's character and plans, and remind us of the importance of listening to and following God's voice, as encouraged in Revelation 2:7.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this verse by seeking to listen to and follow God's voice in our own lives, through prayer, reading Scripture, and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, as taught in Romans 8:14 and John 10:27.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to me that God speaks directly to His prophets, and how can I tune my heart to hear His voice?
- In what ways can I, like Ezekiel, be a messenger of God's word to those around me?
- How can I cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence and guidance in my life, as Ezekiel experienced?
- What are some ways I can prioritize listening to and following God's voice, even when it's challenging or uncomfortable?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 38:1
And the word of the Lord came unto me,.... At the same time as the preceding prophecy did, as the copulative and shows; which predicts the restoration and conversion of the Jews; the union of their
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 38:1
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, The objections to a literal interpretation of the prophecy are -- (1) The ideal nature of the name Gog, which is the root of Magog, the only kindred
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 38:1
Ezekiel 38:1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Ver. 1. And the word.] This particle and showeth the dependence of this discourse upon the former. God’ s people shall be brought to their own country. The Lord Christ also shall sit upon the throne of his father David. But between these two great benefits the Church shall suffer much, and her enemies a great deal more, when once God takes them to do.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 38:1
CHAPTER XXXVIII The sublime prophecy contained in this and the following chapter relates to Israel's victory over Gog, and is very obscure. It begins with representing a prodigious armarnent of many nations combined together under the conduct of Gog, with the intention of overwhelming the Jews, after having been for some time resettled in their land subsequent to their return from the Babylonish captivity, 1-9. These enemies are farther represented as making themselves sure of the spoil, 10-13. But in this critical conjuncture when Israel, to all human appearance, was about to be swallowed up by her enemies, God most graciously appears, to execute by terrible judgments the vengeance threatened against these formidable adversaries of his people, 14-16. The prophet, in terms borrowed from human passions, describes, with awful emphasis, the fury of Jehovah as coming up to his face; and the effects of it so dreadful, as to make all the animate and inanimate creation tremble, and even to convulse with terror the whole frame of nature, 17-23. NOTES ON CHAP. XXXVIII
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 38:1
1–6. The great array of Gog which Jehovah shall lead forth 2. set thy face against Gog] Cf. Ezekiel 35:2-3. The meaning of the word Gog is obscure. Schrader (KAT. on the passage) refers to the name of the Lydian king Gyges, given as Gu-gu in the Assyr. inscriptions, on the one hand, and on the other to Gagi, name of the ruler of a country in the east, the situation of which is uncertain. This land apparently lay north of Assyria (Frd. Del. Par. p. 246–7). Gog, the land of Magog] i.e. in sense: Gog in (of) the land of Magog. Gog is the prince and Magog his country (Ezekiel 39:6).
(In construction Magog is acc. of direction or in loose apposition to Gog, hardly gen. after the proper name). the chief prince] More probably: the prince of Rosh, Meshech &c., although a people or country Rosh may be impossible to identify. Of course any connexion between the name and Russian is to be rejected. Frd. Del. (Par. p. 322) refers to the land of Râsh (mât Ra-a-shi) of the inscriptions, situated on the borders of Elam on the Tigris. The geography of the prophet is no doubt vague and general, but this position as well as that of Gagi referred to above appears to lie too far east. The rendering “chief prince” would imply an unusual construction (chief-priest is different), and it is difficult to guess what chief prince or over-lord could mean. On Meshech, Tubal, cf. Ezekiel 27:13, Ezekiel 32:26.
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 38:1
The last conflict of the world with God, and the complete overthrow of the former. This section Eze. 38–39 refers to times subsequent to the restoration of Israel.