Ezekiel 38

Expositors have differed much in opinion as to the interpretation of this section of prophecy. Some understand it as referring to a literal prodigious armament of many nations for the purpose of attacking the Jews after their restoration to their own land, which will be defeated by the immediate judgements of God. But it appears more consistent with the whole scope of scriptural prophecy, and especially with the visions which immediately follow in chs. xl.-xlviii., to give it a more enlarged meaning, understanding it as describing the consummation of the great conflict which has always been going on between the kingdoms of God and of Satan in the world, and which will end in the universal establishment of the Saviour’s spiritual reign: see note on ver. 17. “It is the same struggle which is depicted in the Book of Revelation (xx.7-10), where St. John adopts words and phrases of Ezekiel, indicating thereby that he is predicting the same event which Ezekiel had foretold” (Currey in Speaker’s Commentary).

2. Gog, the land of Magog, etc. Rather, “Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal” (R.V.). Magog was a son of Japhel. On “Meshech and Tubal,” see note on xxvii. 13. “Rosh” is not mentioned elsewhere, and may possibly have the same origin as the word “Russians.” All these are the northern nations of the Caucasus, and of the Black and Caspian Seas, who were known to the Greeks as Scythians.

5. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya. The extremities of the great confederacy are here enumerated: “Magog,” N.; “Persia,” E.; “Ethiopia” (Cush), S.; and “Libya” (Phut), W. A symbol of universal heathendom.

6. Gomer. Probably the Cimmerians, or people of the Crimea and the adjacent regions, though some scholars identify Gomer with Cappadocia.

Togarmah. The people of Armenia.

7 a guard. More properly, “commander,” as R.V. marg.

8 thou shalt be visited. Rather, “thou shalt be appointed,” i.e., to lead them.

brought back from the sword. Rather, “restored”; i.e., from the ravages of invasion.

12 in the midst of the land. Or, “in the centre of the earth.” Expressively describing the position of Palestine among the nations.

13 the merchants of Turkish. Hoping to profit by the sale of the booty which these marauders had taken.

17 of whom I have spoken in old time. It is evident, then, that these are the enemies and this is the war which had been predicted, with other names and circumstances, both by Balaam (Numb. xxiv. 17) and by the earlier prophets of Israel: see Psa. ii., cx.; Joel iii.; Isa. xxv., xxvi., xxxiv., etc. The one struggle between good and evil, embodied in various forms, is the great theme of prophecy.

20 the steep places. Walls or towers.

22. I will plead against him. Rather, “I will have a controversy with him”; i.e., will bring him to justice for his sins.