Ezekiel 39:1-12

1 “Son of man, prophesy against Gog and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of[a] Meshek and Tubal.
2 I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring you from the far north and send you against the mountains of Israel.
3 Then I will strike your bow from your left hand and make your arrows drop from your right hand.
4 On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals.
5 You will fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD.
6 I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in safety in the coastlands, and they will know that I am the LORD.
7 “ ‘I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the LORD am the Holy One in Israel.
8 It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign LORD. This is the day I have spoken of.
9 “ ‘Then those who live in the towns of Israel will go out and use the weapons for fuel and burn them up—the small and large shields, the bows and arrows, the war clubs and spears. For seven years they will use them for fuel.
10 They will not need to gather wood from the fields or cut it from the forests, because they will use the weapons for fuel. And they will plunder those who plundered them and loot those who looted them, declares the Sovereign LORD.
11 “ ‘On that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, in the valley of those who travel east of the Sea. It will block the way of travelers, because Gog and all his hordes will be buried there. So it will be called the Valley of Hamon Gog.[b]
12 “ ‘For seven months the Israelites will be burying them in order to cleanse the land.

Ezekiel 39:1-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 39

This chapter is a continuation of the prophecy of the destruction of Gog, which is both repeated, and more largely described, Eze 39:1-8, then follows an account of the burning of his weapons of war, which will last seven years in burning, during which time there will be no need of the use of wood, Eze 39:9,10, and of the burial of him, and many of his army; the place where, and the time that will be taken up in doing this, even seven months, are observed, Eze 39:11-16, and every feathered fowl and beast of the field are called upon to feed on the flesh of those that are left unburied, Eze 39:17-20 and by all this the glory of the Lord will be seen, known, and acknowledged, both by the Heathens, and by the house of Israel, Eze 39:21,22, and the former will also be informed that the present captivity of the Jews has been for their sins and transgressions, Eze 39:23,24, and the chapter is concluded with a promise of their return from captivity, when they shall know the Lord, and their interest in him; who will after this no more hide his face from them, but pour out his Spirit upon them, under whose influence they shall ever continue, Eze 39:25-29.

Cross References 25

  • 1. Revelation 20:8
  • 2. S Genesis 10:2
  • 3. S Ezekiel 27:13; S Ezekiel 38:2,3
  • 4. S Ezekiel 32:30
  • 5. S Ezekiel 38:4,15
  • 6. Hosea 1:5; Amos 2:15
  • 7. Psalms 76:3
  • 8. S Genesis 40:19
  • 9. ver 17-20; S Jeremiah 25:33; S Ezekiel 29:5; S Ezekiel 33:27
  • 10. S Ezekiel 32:4
  • 11. S Ezekiel 30:8; Amos 1:4; Revelation 20:9
  • 12. S Genesis 10:2
  • 13. S Jeremiah 25:22
  • 14. S Exodus 6:7
  • 15. S Exodus 20:7; S Ezekiel 13:19
  • 16. S Isaiah 49:26
  • 17. S Isaiah 12:6; S Isaiah 54:5; S Ezekiel 20:9; S Ezekiel 36:16,23
  • 18. Ezekiel 7:6
  • 19. Psalms 76:3
  • 20. S Psalms 46:9
  • 21. S Exodus 3:22
  • 22. S Isaiah 14:2; S Isaiah 33:1; Habakkuk 2:8
  • 23. S Isaiah 34:3
  • 24. S Ezekiel 38:2
  • 25. Deuteronomy 21:23

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or "Gog, prince of Rosh,"
  • [b]. "Hamon Gog" means "hordes of Gog."
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