The invasion of Gog, and his destruction (I) Ezekiel 38:1. Gog's enterprise regarded as the purpose and operation of Jehovah. The Lord will bring Gog forth with all his allies. He is commanded to hold himself in readiness to go up against Israel. (2) Ezekiel 38:10. Gog's enterprise regarded as due... [ Continue Reading ]
The great array of Gog which Jehovah shall lead forth 2. _set thy face against Gog_ Cf. Ezekiel 35:2-3. The meaning of the word Gog is obscure. Schrader (_KAT_. on the passage) refers to the name of the Lydian king Gyges, given as Gu-gu in the Assyr. inscriptions, on the one hand, and on the other... [ Continue Reading ]
_chief prince_ Cf. on Ezekiel 38:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will turn thee back_ Either: I will _turn thee about_, or, I will _lead thee_. The sense entice or "decoy" (Ew.) has scarcely evidence (Isaiah 47:10). The clause "and I will turn … jaws" is wanting in LXX. Putting hooks into the jaws suggests unwillingness and compulsion (ch. Ezekiel 29:4; 2 King... [ Continue Reading ]
Cf. on Ezekiel 27:10; Ezekiel 30:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cf. Ezekiel 27:14; Genesis 10:2. His "bands," Ezekiel 12:14. _north quarters_ lit. _sides of the north_, i.e. the furthest north, Isaiah 14:13. Gomer, Assyr. Gimir, is usually identified in name with the Kimmerians. Schrader (_KAT_. in loc.) and others understand Cappadocia.... [ Continue Reading ]
Injunction to Gog to be in readiness for the latter days when Jehovah shall lead him forth 7. _a guard unto them_ The term means something to be kept or observed, a rallying point; Gog shall be the leader of the people though the word hardly means strictly "standard" (Ew.). For "unto them" LXX. rea... [ Continue Reading ]
_thou shalt be visited_ Not in the frequent sense of visited with punishment, but in the sense of recalled to mind in order to be employed (cf. usage Ezekiel 23:21). Others: _mustered_, which is not very natural; and the meaning "thou shalt receive orders" (from Jehovah) can hardly be supported from... [ Continue Reading ]
_like a storm_ Cf. on the figure Isaiah 21:1; Isaiah 28:2; Jeremiah 4:13. The rapidity of the movements of Gog (Hosea 8:1), and their destructiveness, as well as the infinite masses of his host (Numbers 22:5; Judges 6:5) are expressed by the comparison with the storm and cloud.... [ Continue Reading ]
Gog's invasion prompted by his own evil purposes 10. _It shall also come to pass_ Read: IT SHALL COME TO PASS AT THAT TIME THAT THINGS SHALL COME &c. The "also" of A.V. suggests an additional thing to Ezekiel 38:1, whereas it is only the same thing from another point of view. Ezekiel 38:10 _seq_. a... [ Continue Reading ]
Cf. Deu 3:5; 1 Samuel 6:18; Judges 18:27. "Safely," i.e. in confidence, Ezekiel 38:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
On "take a spoil" cf. Ezekiel 29:19; Isaiah 10:6. The phrase "turn the hand upon" is always used in a hostile sense (Isaiah 1:25). Ezekiel 38:11-12 give the prophet's idea of the condition of the restored community and of the state of the world in those days which permits it. He does not furnish det... [ Continue Reading ]
The merchant peoples are roused to excitement by the enterprise of Gog; probably it is the hope of gain by trafficking with him for his spoil that excites them hardly envy at the rich harvest lying before him. On Sheba Ezekiel 27:22; Dedan Ezekiel 27:20; Tarshish Ezekiel 27:12. _all the young lions_... [ Continue Reading ]
The purpose and issue of Gog's invasion: that the nations may know Jehovah, when he is sanctified in Gog 14. _shalt thou not know_it] It is the peaceful and unprotected condition of the people, along with their wealth, that tempts Gog to invade them. LXX., however, reads: shalt thou not _stir thyse... [ Continue Reading ]
Cf. Ezekiel 38:4_; Ezekiel 38:6_, Ezekiel 39:2. For many people, PEOPLES.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cf. Ezekiel 38:9. _shall be sanctified_ Or, get me sanctifying, i.e. recognition as "holy" "holy" having the meaning of all that which God alone is. The rendering "shew myself holy" is less natural, though the meaning is virtually the same. Jehovah shews his great deeds in the sight of the nations,... [ Continue Reading ]
The question gives vividness to the fact of Gog's invasion having been long predicted, and identifies him with the subject of these predictions. These former prophecies had not named Gog; the identification is matter of inference. _those days_many _years_ The construction is peculiar, but this is pr... [ Continue Reading ]
This invasion of Gog has been long predicted. It shall be the occasion of a final manifestation of himself by Jehovah to creation and the nations, which shall inspire universal awe, and leave in the minds of all mankind the knowledge of Jehovah, and that which he is.... [ Continue Reading ]
_come to pass at the same time_ Rather: come to pass IN THAT DAY, IN THE DAY WHEN Gog &c. _come up in my face_ lit. in my _nostril_. The idea is not that of the inflammation of the face from anger, but that of a fiery breath appearing in the nostrils. Deuteronomy 32:22; Psalms 18:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
_have I spoken_ i.e. _do I speak;_cf. Ezek. 21:36, Ezekiel 36:5; Ezekiel 39:25. The word "shaking" is the usual one for earthquake, but the general term is better here, Ezekiel 38:20, cf. Haggai 2:6-7.... [ Continue Reading ]
The terror of creation before the majesty of Jehovah shall be universal, and all that is high shall be brought down. The passage agrees with the usual prophetic descriptions of the day of the Lord, cf. Zephaniah 1:1 _seq_.; Isaiah 2-3; Jeremiah 4:23-26. It describes Jehovah's final manifestation of... [ Continue Reading ]
_every man's sword_ sign of a supernatural panic caused by Jehovah, Judges 7:22; 1 Samuel 14:20. LXX. has read first clause: I will summon against him all terrors (i.e. a panic).... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will plead_ i.e. contend. Jehovah's pleadings are often great acts of judgment, Isaiah 66:16; Jeremiah 25:31. Cf. Ezekiel 5:17; Ezekiel 14:19; Isaiah 29:6; Isaiah 30:30; Psalms 11:6, for similar judgments.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus will Jehovah magnify himself manifest his greatness and power; and sanctify himself shew himself to be "holy," i.e. one who is God, Ezekiel 36:23. Then shall he be known as that which he is by all the nations of the earth.... [ Continue Reading ]