Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 38

Verse 1

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

Verse 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 38:0 and Ezekiel 39:0 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 ).

Verse 3

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

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos . App-6 ,

Verse 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 .

Verse 5

Ethiopia = Cush.

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

Verse 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.

Verse 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. "

Verse 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.

Verse 10

things = words, or matters.

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

evil . Hebrew. ra`a` App-44 .

Verse 11

unwalled villages = mere hamlets.

Verse 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 , Eze 6:15 , Eze 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.

Verse 13

Sheba, Ac. These are some who protest.

Verse 14

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

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 19

shaking = trembling.

Verse 20

fall = sink down.

Verse 21

every man's . Hebrew. ish . App-14 .

Verse 22

great hailstones. As in Joshua 10:11 .

Verse 23

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