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. read more
16. I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me—So in :-, God tells Pharaoh, "For this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee My power; and that My name may be declared throughout all the earth." read more
The invasion of the enemy from the north 38:14-16 read more
He and his allies would descend on Israel from the north and cover her like a storm cloud (cf. Ezekiel 38:6; Ezekiel 39:2; Daniel 11:40-45). Coming from the north recalls the earlier invasions of the Assyrians and Babylonians, but this will be a future invasion. God would bring Gog against His people "in the last days" (cf. Ezekiel 38:8; Ezekiel 38:14; Ezekiel 38:18; Ezekiel 39:8; Ezekiel 39:11) to teach the nations to acknowledge Yahweh. They would do this when God used Gog to demonstrate His... read more
2. Gog, the land of Magog] RV ’Gog, of the land of Magog.’ The exact reference of the names is unknown. Magog is the land ruled over by Gog. The conjecture that ’Magog’ (Mgg = Ggm = Bbl) is a cryptogram for ’Babel’ (Babylon) has no probability. Gog in any case is the representative of remote heathendorn, and is located in the far N. (Ezekiel 38:6, Ezekiel 38:15; Ezekiel 39:2), while he has allies in the distant S. (Ezekiel 38:5).Chief prince of Meshech, etc.] RV ’Prince of Rosh, Meshech,’ etc.,... read more
God’s Final Victory over the HeathenEzekiel’s earlier group of prophecies against the nations (Ezekiel 25-32) was concerned with Israel’s nearer neighbours, which had interfered more or less in former times with her prosperity; and their humiliation was regarded as a necessary condition of Israel’s peaceful and happy future. Ezekiel, however, contemplated a wider extension of God’s glory than these prophecies involved. This is described under the form of an invasion of the restored Israel by... read more
(16) Latter days.—The expression is indefinite but concurs with those in Ezekiel 38:8 in indicating a distant future. read more
JEHOVAH’S FINAL VICTORYEzekiel 38:1-23; Ezekiel 39:1-29THESE chapters give the impression of having been intended to stand at the close of the book of Ezekiel. Their present position is best explained on the supposition that the original collection of Ezekiel’s prophecies actually ended here, and that the remaining chapters (40-48) form an appendix, added at a later period without disturbing the plan on which the book had been arranged. In chronological order, at all events, the oracle on Gog... read more
Ezekiel 38:1-23 ; Ezekiel 39:1-29 . There will be at that time of restoration a great and final invasion of the land of Israel. Gog and Magog will invade the land “that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people.” The invaders come “against the mountains of Israel which have always been waste; but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely, all of them.” In Ezekiel 38:11 , the evil purpose of the invader is made known. From all this we learn that... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 38:1-23
Invasion by the armies of Gog (38:1-23)To the Jews of Ezekiel’s day, the nations referred to here would represent the most distant regions of the world - ‘the four corners of the earth’. They are led by a man called Gog, who lives to the north in the land of Magog and who is ruler of the joint kingdom of Meshech-Tubal (38:1-3). He will lead an attack on Israel and will be helped by other countries from the east (Persia), from the south (Cush and Put, meaning probably Ethiopia and Libya), and... read more