Ezekiel 38 Footnotes
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38:1–39:29 Interpreters have considered these two chapters to be one of the most difficult sections of the Bible. While other approaches are possible, this discussion will take the prophecies literally as referring to a future event of history within a premillennial eschatological framework. The discussion will consider other related biblical passages.
This section is a type of prophecy called “apocalyptic,” which presents its messages in symbols and cryptic characters. Generally, the prophets of the OT called for repentance and sought the reformation of human conduct. Apocalyptic prophets such as Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and John (in the book of Revelation) certainly shared these spiritual goals. But they believed God’s ultimate solution to evil was not reformation but revolution. They looked to the latter days when God would confront Satan and evil, transform the world, set up a perfect kingdom, and live and fellowship with his people forever.
38:1-3 Gog’s identity is crucial to understanding this passage. The name Gog appears only here, in 1Ch 5:4, and in Rv 20:8. In the book of 1 Chronicles, Gog was one of the sons of Joel, a descendant of Reuben. In Rv 20:8 he was the leader of history’s final battle. Suggestions of Gog’s identity include: (1) a ruthless ruler of Lydia known as Gugu or Gyges; (2) a figure from ancient history called Gagu of the land of Sakhi, a region in northern Assyria; (3) an official title, like Pharaoh; (4) a general term for any enemy of God’s people.
Gog indeed may be a cryptic reference to the forces of evil foreseen by Ezekiel and already operative in the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar. The name may be from a Sumerian loan word, gug (darkness). This is a suitable synonym for the ruler of end-time “Babylon,” the “ruler of this world” (Jn 12:31; 14:30), and Satan, the prince of darkness in Ac 26:18; Eph 6:12; 2Pt 2:4 (Mt 8:12; Lk 11:34-35; 22:53; Jn 1:5; 3:19; 8:12; 12:35,46; Rm 13:12; Col 1:13; Jd 6,13; Rv 16:10) who counterfeits himself as an angel of light (2Co 11:14).
38:4-7 These verses identify a northern confederacy of Gog’s allies, nine nations that make up Gog’s army amassed to obliterate Israel from the land. It is called a “huge assembly” (v. 4) with soldiers from Persia (Iran), Cush (Ethiopia), Put (Libya), Gomer (Armenia), Togarmah (Armenia)—all of whom will join the armies of Gog (Iraq?), Magog (Western Asia, Scythians?) Meshech (Armenia, Azerbaijan), and Tubal (Armenia, Azerbaijan, v. 7).
38:8-16 This battle is to take place “after a long time” and “in the last years”—both consistent references to the end time (see Jr 4:6,13,24-26; 5:15; 6:1,22; 10:22; 23:20; Dn 8:26; 10:14). The confederacy will come into the land “that has been restored from war and regathered from many peoples,” a reference to regathered Israel. Gog will devise an evil plan against Israel. According to Rv 20:1-10, this battle may be in two parts: one at the end of history (Rv 19:17-21) and one after a thousand years of peace (Rv 20:1-3). Gog and Magog, along with Satan, will be fully and finally defeated (Rv 20:7-10). Ezekiel’s battle may be the first battle, or the second, or both. Gog will loot and plunder those who dwell in “open villages” at “the center” (Hb tabor), possibly the region around Mount Tabor just north of the valley of Jezreel, site of the battle of Armageddon (Rv 16:16). Motivated by vengeance and greed, Gog will attempt the annihilation of Israel (Ezk 38:16).
38:17 Identification of the prophecies of “former times” (v. 17) has been an issue of debate. Interpreters have compared them, inconclusively, with Is 14:24-25; 26:20-21; Jr 4:5; 6:26; 30:18-24; Jl 3:9-21; Zph 1:14-18. The exact translation of the question itself, “Are you the one I spoke about in former times through my servants?” is also in doubt. Some amend it to read “You are he . . .” assuming the introductory particle halo’ (“are you not . . . ?”) which is absent from the text. Whatever the case, it was a rhetorical question anticipating a positive answer. This would mean that Gog is not a divinely commissioned agent of judgment, but a perennial enemy of God and his people, an interpretation consistent with the identification of Babylon and Satan.
38:18-23 The battle is resolved through God’s direct, wrathful intervention by means of a great earthquake (vv. 19-20), the sword, pestilence, bloodshed, flooding rain, hailstones, fire, and brimstone (vv. 21-22). The Lord says that he will “reveal myself in the sight of many nations,” and by this judgment all will know that “I am the LORD” (Yahweh, v. 23).