ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Ezekiel 38

Ezek. 38:1–39:29 Ezekiel addresses the mysterious Gog, ruler of the equally mysterious Magog (see note on 38:2). He pronounces judgment on Gog for attacking the renewed Israel (38:1–3, 7–13). However, there is a power greater than Gog. The sovereign God of Israel reigns over Gog’s plans, which will be used to defend God’s holiness (38:14–16). Gog and his hordes attack, bringing danger to God’s people and to the natural world. But the army meets the wrath of God, who brings honor to himself before the nations (38:17–23). Gog’s army falls (39:1–6), an event that strengthens God’s people as they see the greatness of their God (39:7–8). No question will remain about the reason for Israel’s earlier exile: the all-powerful God withdrew from them because of their treachery, but this final victory displays God’s supremacy (39:21–24) and marks the final restoration of his people (39:25–29).

Ezek. 38:2 Gog, of the land of Magog. These two names have been the focus of extensive speculation in both Jewish and Christian literature, and there is no agreement on their meaning. Many interpreters understand 38:1–39:29 to be a prophecy concerning an attack against Israel in a more distant future. In the NT, Gog and Magog are the names of the nations led by Satan to attack Jerusalem at the end of the “thousand years” (Rev. 20:8). Although the other geographical names in this passage can be identified (see notes on Ezek. 38:5; 38:6), “Gog” and “Magog” remain unknown. Perhaps the intention of the prophecy is simply to point to a yet-unknown future leader of a great attack against God’s people, one whose identity will not be known until the prophecy is fulfilled. No time is specified in the prophecy either, except the vague “In the latter years” (v. 8) and “In the latter days” (v. 16). Meshech and Tubal, first named in Gen. 10:2, are in Asia Minor (see note on Ezek. 27:13).

Ezek. 38:5 Gog’s allies are described in terms similar to Tyre’s allies in 27:10. Together with 38:2, 6, this passage describes enemies coming against Israel from all sides: Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah from the north (vv. 2, 6), and Persia, Cush, and Put from the south.

Ezek. 38:6 The uttermost parts of the north seems to refer to enemies that will come from regions far north of Israel, without specifically identifying these enemies.

Ezek. 38:8 Locating this episode in the latter years in the land that is restored puts this oracle into the future (see the “latter days” in v. 16). It is not necessarily the absolute end of time.

Ezek. 38:10–13 It is clear that Gog remains firmly under God’s control and, in fact, acts at God’s direction (vv. 4, 16). But Gog will still be held responsible for his plans to plunder the now-fertile land of restored Israel (the quiet people who dwell securely).

Ezek. 38:16 like a cloud. Huge numbers of Gog’s soldiers will come against Israel. This theme is repeated throughout these chapters. Once again, God is sovereign over Gog’s actions (I will bring you). Gog is a tool used to defend God’s holiness. In this way, Gog is similar to Pharaoh in the exodus (see Ex. 7:3–5).