Ezekiel 38:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 38:1-13

The critical expositors have enough to do here to enquire out Gog and Magog. We cannot pretend either to add to their observations or to determine their controversies. Gog seems to be the king and Magog the kingdom; so that Gog and Magog are like Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Some think they find them afar off, in Scythia, Tartary, and Russia. Others think they find them nearer the land of Israel, in Syria, and Asia the Less. Ezekiel is appointed to prophesy against Gog, and to tell him that God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 38:2

Son of man, set thy face against Gog ,.... Of the phrase, "setting the face towards", or "against"; see Gill on Ezekiel 6:2 , Ezekiel 21:2 , Ezekiel 25:2 but who this Gog is the prophet is bid boldly to face, and intrepidly declare the wrath of God against, interpreters are divided about. Calmet F13 Dictionary in the words "Gog" and "Magog". thinks that Cambyses and his army are meant by Gog and Magog, which to mention is enough; and it is the opinion of St. Ambrose F14 "De... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 38:2

Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog - This is allowed to be the most difficult prophecy in the Old Testament. It is difficult to us, because we know not the king nor people intended by it: but I am satisfied they were well known by these names in the time that the prophet wrote. I have already remarked in the introduction to this book that there are but two opinions on this subject that appear to be at all probable: That which makes Gog Cambyses, king of Persia; and, ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 38:1-2

The supreme contest. What is the real significance of this prophecy? Is it to receive a literal or a symbolical interpretation? If not fairly open to the one, in what direction shall we look for the other? Agreeing with the views advocated by Fairbairn, we give his exposition, reproducing his arguments as given in his work on this prophet. And thus guided, we look at— I. THE REASONS FOR REJECTING A LITERAL INTERPRETATION . 1. The name given to the hostile leader points... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 38:1-4

Gog and Magog. If we take these names as representing the Scythians and their king, we have a description of God's judgment of the most wild and remote heathen tribes and of their relation to Israel. I. THE BIBLE IS FOR ALL NATIONS . It contains a message even for Gog and Magog—it is intended to reach the Scythians. It has to do with all people in the world. The Hebrew prophet was not permitted to narrow his thoughts to the parochial mind; His vision was world-wide. A Jew... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 38:1-13

The announcement of Cog's expedition against Israel. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 38:1-13

The invasion of those who dwell secure. The occurrence in this place of this and the following chapters is somewhat perplexing. The events here prophetically described take place after the restoration of the Israelites from their Eastern captivity. Yet they are altogether too stupendous to be applicable to anything which happened in the time or soon after the time of Ezekiel. Thus many interpreters of prophecy refer them to a period still in the future, when a final struggle may take place... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 38:1-13

The stability of God's kingdom. The lengthened subjection of the Hebrews had sapped their courage and their hope. The promises of a return to Canaan fell upon hearts full of apathy and self-diffidence. A latent fear was growing up that, even should they regain their old possession, they would soon be exposed to fresh invasion from some grasping monarch. They felt their lack of organization, their lack of military prowess, and men devoid of energy felt that it was better to remain in exile... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 38:1-23

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 38:2

Set thy face against (or, toward) God . Although occurring in 1 Chronicles 5:4 as the name of a Reubenite, Gog was probably a title formed by Ezekiel himself from the word Magog , the syllable ma being treated as equivalent to "land." A similar freedom appears to have been exercised by the author of the Apocalypse, who out of Magog, here a territorial designation, makes a military power co-ordinate with Gog ( Revelation 20:8 ). That Gog was not an actual person—though the name... read more

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