Ezekiel 38:7

7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself thou, and all thine assemblage that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.

Ezekiel 38:7 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 38:7

Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself
All warlike stores and provisions: this is ironically said; and suggests that he would do so, and yet all would be in vain, and to no purpose: thou and all thy company, that are assembled unto thee;
or all thine armies, as the Targum, gathered out of his dominions, and made up of his auxiliaries and allies; let them all be furnished with arms, and everything proper for the expedition designed: and be thou a guard unto them;
the general of them; let them observe and obey thy word of command; guide and direct, guard and protect them in their march; and take care of them when entered the land of Judea, that they are not exposed to any unnecessary danger, or cut off by any stratagem or ambush: this is also sarcastically said; signifying that let him use all the care and caution that a wise and prudent general can do, yet he and his army should perish.

Ezekiel 38:7 In-Context

5 Persia, Cush, and Phut with them, all of them with shield and helmet;

6 Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah from the uttermost north, and all his bands; -- many peoples with thee.

7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself thou, and all thine assemblage that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.

8 After many days shalt thou be visited; at the end of years thou shalt come into the land brought back from the sword [and] gathered out of many peoples, upon the mountains of Israel which have been a perpetual waste: but it is brought forth out from the peoples, and they shall all of them be dwelling in safety.

9 And thou shalt ascend, thou shalt come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many peoples with thee.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'chief,' 'commander.' Same word as 'watch,' Jer. 51.12.