Ezekiel 38

Notes on the verses

Chap. XXXVIII. Ver. 2. Gog, the land of Magog.—By (Genesis 10:2), we learn that Magog was the second son of Japheth, who doubtless gave his name to the land here referred to.—{Rather ‘* Gog (the prince) of the land of g, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.’ By Magog is most probably meant the Scythians or Tartars, called so by Arabian and Syrian writers, and especially the Turks, who were originally natives of Tartary; and by Rosh, the Russians, descendants of the ancient inhabitants on the river Araxes or Rosh. See Bochart, Michaelis, D’Herbelot, and others.}—Bagster. “It is generally admitted that this relates to Scythia, or Tartary, and that Gog was the common name of their kings, as Pharaoh was of the kings of Egypt.”

Boothroyd in loc. ‘* Michaelis compares the word Gog with Kak, or Cuak, the general name of kings among the ancient Turks, Moguls, Tartars, Cataians, and Chinese;…. and thinks that Magog denotes those vast tracts of country to the north of India and China, which the Greeks call Scythia, and we Tartary. Scythopolis and Hieropolis, which the Assyrians took when they overcame Syria, were ever after, by the Scythians, called Magog. The Arabs call the Chinese wall Sud Yagog et Magog.”—Newcome. Ver. 4. I will put hooks into thy jaws.—See (Ezekiel 29:4). Ver. 6. Gomer, &c.—The Celts, or Cimmerians. Under these names may probably be included the descendants of all the barbarian bands in the north of Asia.

See ver. 15. ¥ Ver. 8. After many days thou shalt be visited.—Boothroyd, following the Chaldee, “Thou shalt number (or enrol) them,” i.e. Pod barbarian forces from the north. See Hebrew of (Numbers 1:44); iii. 39, &c.—Against.—Rather, “Upon” (gnal) the mountains.—Which have been always.—Newcome, long” waste. Ver. 11. Dwell safely.—See margin. Without fear or suspicion. Ver. 12. To take a spoil.—Heb. “To spoil the spoil, and to prey the prey.” So ver. 13.—In the midst.—Heb. “Navel,” or highest part. Ver. 16. Latter days.—{Though it is not generally agreed what people or transactions are here predicted, yet it seems evident that the prophecy is not yet accomplished. Nothing occurred in the wars of Cambyses, or Antiochus Epiphanes, with the Jews that answers to it; and the expression here used,—in the latter days—plainly implies, that there should be a succession of many ages between the publication of the prediction and its accomplishment.

It is therefore supposed, with much probability, that its fulfilment will be posterior to the conversion of the Jews, and their restoration to their own land; and that the Turks, Tartars, or Scythians, from the northern parts of Asia, perhaps uniting with the inhabitants of some more southern regions, will make war upon the Jews, and be cut off in the manner here predicted.}—Bagster. Ver. 17. By my ars gas By the hand of,” &c. This, it seems had been predicted from the most ancient times; perhaps even by Enoch. See Jude 14. Ver. 20. Steep places.—Terraces, perhaps, artificially supported on the sides of mountains.