Ezekiel 38

Ezekiel 38:1

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4. Ih

Ezekiel 38:2

Son of man, See note on Ezekiel 2:4.

Gog. A symbolical name for the nations north and east of Palestine, or the nations as a whole. That the prophecies of Ezekiel 38 and Ezekiel 39 are still future is clear from Ezekiel 38:8, Ezekiel 38:14, Ezekiel 38:16; Ezekiel 39:9, Ezekiel 39:25, Ezekiel 39:26; as Israel will have then already been “gathered”, and complete restoration enjoyed immediately following the destruction of Gog “Now will I bring again the captivity of Israel”. It must therefore precede the Millennium; and on that account must be distinguished from Revelation 20:8, Revelation 20:10; and may therefore perhaps be identified with Revelation 16:14; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:17-21. Compare Matthew 24:14-30. Zechariah 12:1-4.

It marks the climax of Satan’s effort to destroy Israel from being a People, and clearly belongs to the close of a yet future kingdom age. See Ezekiel 38:8, &c., above). The name is connected with “Og” (Deuteronomy 3:1-13), and “Agag “(Numbers 24:7), where the Samaritan Pentateuch reads “Agog”, and the Septuagint reads “Gog”, Here the Arabic reads “Agag”. The historical interpretation of this prophecy is confessedly impossible.

the land of Magog = of the land of the Magog. If “Gog” denotes and symbolises all that is powerful, gigantic, and proud, then “Magog” is symbolical of the same lands and peoples. Magog was a son of Japheth.

the chief prince = the head, or leader of Rosh. Hebrew Rosh, which may point to Russia.

Meshech and Tubal. The Sept, renders these Mesoch and Thobel: i.e. the Moschi and Tibareni, occupying regions about the Caucasus. All these a nations distant from Palestine: not near nations, or nations connected by consanguinity. They were also descended from Japheth (Genesis 10:2).

Ezekiel 38:3

the Lord GOD. Hebrew. Adonai Jehovah. See note on Ezekiel 2:4.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6,

Ezekiel 38:4

turn thee back: or, lead thee away enticingly. Compare Isaiah 47:10 (perverted). Jeremiah 50:6. See the Oxford Gesenius.

put hooks, &c. Compare Isaiah 37:29. Hebrew “curbs”.

army, Hebrew “power”; put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for army, as translated.

company = gathered host. Compare Ezekiel 16:40.

Ezekiel 38:5

Ethiopia = Cush.

Libya = Phut. Compare Ezekiel 27:10; Ezekiel 30:5. These were descended from Ham (Genesis 10:6).

Ezekiel 38:6

Gomer. North of Asia Minor; also descended from Japheth (Genesis 10:3),

Togarmah = Armenia. Compare Ezekiel 27:14, Also descended from Japheth (Genesis 10:3).

bands = hordes.

People = peoples.

Ezekiel 38:7

company. So (singular) in many codices and seven early printed editions; but some codices, with three early printed editions, read plural. See note on Ezekiel 38:4.

be thou a guard, &c. Septuagint reads “thou will be for Me a guard. "

Ezekiel 38:8

After many days. Pointing to a then, and yet future time, when Israel shall have been recently “gathered”, and before the Restoration is perfected,

the latter years. See notes above and on Ezekiel 38:2.

safely = confidently.

Ezekiel 38:10

things = words, or matters.

think an evil thought = devise a mischievous device. Compare Daniel 11:44, Daniel 11:45.

evil. Hebrew. raa App-44.

Ezekiel 38:11

unwalled villages = mere hamlets.

Ezekiel 38:12

To take a spoil, &c. The Hebrew exhibits the Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6) = “To spoil a spoil and to prey a prey”. Compare Psalms 83:4, &c.

upon = against. A special various reading called Sevin (App-34) reads “over”.

People: i.e. Israel, as in Ezekiel 39:13; not in verses: Ezekiel 38:6, Ezekiel 38:8, Ezekiel 38:9, Ezekiel 6:15, Ezekiel 6:22.

midst. Hebrew = navel. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunet), App-6, for the middle.

land = earth. Hebrew ’eretz. Compare Ezekiel 38:18. Of which Palestine is in the centre, politically and morally, if not exactly geographically.

Ezekiel 38:13

Sheba, Ac. These are some who protest.

Ezekiel 38:14

shalt thou not know it? The Septuagint reads “wilt thou not rouse thyself? "

Ezekiel 38:16

in the latter days = in the end of days. Still future. See notes on Ezekiel 38:2 and Ezekiel 38:8.

the heathen may know, &c. See note on Ezekiel 6:10

heathen = nations.

when I shall be sanctified, &c.: or, by My hallowing Myself, &c.

Ezekiel 38:18

the same time = that day.

the land of Israel = on the soil of Israel. Hebrew ’admath. See note on Ezekiel 11:17.

saith the Lord GOD = [is] Adonai Jehovah’s oracle.

Ezekiel 38:19

shaking = trembling.

Ezekiel 38:20

fall = sink down.

Ezekiel 38:21

every man’s. Hebrew. ish. App-14.

Ezekiel 38:22

great hailstones. As in Joshua 10:11.

Ezekiel 38:23

they shall know, &c. See note on Ezekiel 6:10.