Ezekiel 38:1-23

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., and so in Ezekiel 38:3, Ezekiel 39:1. The land meant by ’Rosh’ is unknown, but there can be no allusion to Russia. On Meshech and Tubal see on Ezekiel 27:13.

4. Turn thee back] RV ’turn thee about.’ Perhaps we should read, ’lead thee,’ and so in Ezekiel 39:2. God directs the movements even of the enemies of His kingdom.

5. Persia] a doubtful rendering. Ethiopia, and Libya] RV ’Cush and Put’: see on Ezekiel 27:10; Ezekiel 30:5.

6. Gomer] (Genesis 10:2), a people in the N. of Asia Minor, usually identified with the Cimmerians.

Togarmah] Armenia: see on Ezekiel 27:14; The north quarters] RV ’the uttermost parts of the north.’ Bands] RV ’hordes,’ and so throughout. People] RV ’peoples,’ and so throughout, except in Ezekiel 38:12, and Ezekiel 39:13.

7. Be thou a guard unto them] LXX reads, ’hold thyself in reserve for me.’

8. The latter years] The invasion of Gog is in the distant future. The land that is.. gathered, etc.] The sense requires ’the nation’ to be supplied before ’that is gathered’: see Ezekiel 38:12.

11. The peaceful state of the restored Israel is here described.

12. Midst of the land] RV ’middle of the earth,’ the supposed geographical position of Palestine.

13. Sheba.. Dedan.. Tarshish] see on Ezekiel 22:23, Ezekiel 22:25; Ezekiel 27:15, Ezekiel 27:20.

Young lions] does not give a clear sense. Other suggested readings are, ’Canaanites,’ ’Cyprians,’ or ’traffickers.’ The nations mentioned were spectators of Gog’s invasion, and inquired what commercial advantage they might reap from the disposal of the spoil.

15. North parts] RV ’uttermost parts of the north.’

17. Certain older prophecies were understood by Ezekiel to refer, though not by name, tö the coming invasion of Gog. Perhaps he had in view Zephaniah 1:14.; Zephaniah 3:8; Jeremiah 3-6.

18. At the same time] RV ’in that day.’ In my face] RV ’into my nostrils.’

19. Shaking] or, ’earthquake.’