Ezekiel38
English Standard Version
1The of the Lord to me:
2 of , your toward , of the of , the of and , and him
3and , the God: , I am against you, O , of and .
4And I will turn you and into your , and I will bring you , and your , and , of them in , a , of them with and , .
5 , , and are with them, of them with and ;
6 and his ; from the of the with his — are with you.
7Be and keep , you and your that are you, and be a for them.
8 you will be . In the you will go against the that is , the land whose people were the of , had been a . Its people were out the and now , of them.
9You will , like a . You will be like a the , you and your , and with you.
10 the God: On that , will your , and you will an
11and , I will the of . I will upon the people who , of them , and having or ,
12to and , to your the that are now , and the who were the , who have and , who at the of the .
13 and and the of and its will to you, Have you to ? Have you your to , to carry and , to take and , to ?
14 , of , , and to , the God: On that when my are , will you it?
15You will your of the of the , you and with you, of them on , a , a .
16You will my , like a the . In the I will you my , the may me, when through you, O , I vindicate my before their .
17 the God: Are you he of I in my the of , who in those for that I would you them?
18But on that , the that shall the of , the God, my will be in my .
19For in my and in my I , On that there shall be a in the of .
20The of the and the of the and the of the and that the , and the are the of the , shall at my . And the shall be , and the shall , and shall to the .
21I will a Gog on my , the God. Every will be against his .
22With and I will with him, and I will who are with him and , and .
23So I will show my and my and make myself in the of . Then they will am the Lord.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Ezekiel 38.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The army and malice of Gog. (1-13). God's judgments. (14-23).
vv1-13
These events will be in the latter days. It is supposed these enemies will come together to invade the land of Judea, and God will defeat them. God not only sees who are now the enemies of his church, but he foresees who will be so, and lets them know by his word that he is against them; though they join together, the wicked shall not be unpunished.
vv14-23
The enemy should make a formidable descent upon the land of Israel. When Israel dwell safely under the Divine protection, shalt not thou be made to know it by finding that endeavours to destroy them are made in vain? Promises of security are treasured up in the word of God, against the troubles and dangers the church may be brought into in the latter days. In the destruction of sinners, God makes it appear that he is a great and holy God. We should desire and pray daily. Father, glorify thine own name.
Key Words
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
אָדָם: ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
שׂוּם: to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
פָּנִים: the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
גּוֹג: Gog, the name of an Israelite, also of some nothern nation
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
מָגוֹג: Magog, a son of Japheth; also a barbarous northern region
רֹאשׁ: the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
Cross References
Ezekiel 38John's Apocalypse adopts 'Gog and Magog' from here as the ultimate global anti-Christian confederacy.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identical metaphor of Yahweh putting hooks into a proud, out-of-control monarch's jaws to turn him back.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Ezekiel's own parallel imagery of hooks in jaws, used of Pharaoh, showing God's sovereign restraint.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Genesis Table of Nations names Japheth's sons: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The direct sequel to this prophecy, repeating the identical threat against Gog and Magog.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Historical precedent of God causing invaders to turn their swords against their own brothers.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Earlier reference listing Meshech and Tubal together as trading partners with ancient Tyre.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Provides immediate context of Israel gathered and dwelling safely under God's covenant prior to the invasion.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The fire and brimstone judgment on Gog's army is echoed in Revelation's final judgment.
Supported by JFB
Genealogical parallel listing Japheth's sons, establishing the geographic origins of Magog, Meshech, and Tubal.
Supported by JFB
Pharaoh's identical evil logic, assuming God's people are trapped and vulnerable, prompting his pursuit.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Describes a wealthy, secure nation dwelling without gates or bars, parallel to Israel's state.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophetic parallel of God overthrowing thrones and making every man fall by his brother's sword.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God's jealousy and holy anger on behalf of his restored, sanctuary-dwelling people.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The historical archetype of fire and brimstone rained from heaven as divine judgment.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God's ultimate purpose in both restoration and judgment: to vindicate and sanctify His great name.
Supported by Matthew Henry