mā´gog ( מגוג , māghōgh ; Μαγώγ , Magṓg ): Named among the sons of Japheth ( Genesis 10:2; 1 Chronicles 1:5 ). Ezekiel uses the word as equivalent to "land of Gog" (Ezekiel 38:2; Ezekiel 39:6 ). Josephus identifies the Magogites with the Scythians (Ant. , I, vi, 1). From a resemblance between the names Gog and Gyges (Gugu), king of Lydia, some have suggested that Magog is Lydia; others, however, urge that Magog is probably only a variant of Gog (Sayce in HDB ). In the Apocalypse of John, Gog and Magog represent all the heathen opponents of Messiah (Revelation 20:8 ), and in this sense these names frequently recur in Jewish apocalyptic literature.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
But as with any writings of men, the careful student of the Bible must always compare them with Scripture. As you use this helpful study resource, remember that only God's word is pure.
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