Ezekiel 38:15

And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:

And thou shalt come {H935} from thy place {H4725} out of the north {H6828} parts {H3411}, thou, and many {H7227} people {H5971} with thee, all of them riding {H7392} upon horses {H5483}, a great {H1419} company {H6951}, and a mighty {H7227} army {H2428}:

You will choose just that time to come from your place in the far reaches of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them on horseback, a huge horde, a mighty army;

And you will come from your place out of the far north—you and many peoples with you, all riding horses—a mighty horde, a huge army.

And thou shalt come from thy place out of the uttermost parts of the north, thou, and many peoples with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company and a mighty army;

Commentary

Ezekiel 38:15 is part of a significant prophetic passage detailing a future invasion of the land of Israel. This verse specifically describes the origin and formidable nature of the invading army led by Gog, from the land of Magog, emphasizing its size and direction of approach.

Context

The prophecy in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 describes a future invasion of Israel by a coalition of nations led by Gog, from the land of Magog. This invasion is set against the backdrop of Israel's return from exile and their dwelling securely in their land (Ezekiel 38:8). The "north parts" points to a specific geographical direction from Israel, often associated with historical threats or divine judgment in prophetic literature. This entire prophecy serves to demonstrate God's power and glory to both Israel and the nations. It is often interpreted as an end-times event preceding the final battle of Gog and Magog in Revelation or as a distinct event leading to the Messianic Kingdom.

Key Themes

  • The Northern Threat: The repeated emphasis on coming "from the north parts" highlights a significant directional threat, historically consistent with major invading powers like Assyria and Babylon. This geographical detail underscores the specific nature of this prophesied invasion.
  • Immense Military Power: The description of "many people," "riding upon horses," and a "great company, and a mighty army" paints a picture of an overwhelming and formidable military force. This emphasizes the human impossibility of Israel's defense, setting the stage for divine intervention.
  • Divine Orchestration: While human armies are described, the preceding verses in Ezekiel 38 make it clear that God is bringing Gog against Israel, often interpreted as a means to display His glory and holiness to the nations (Ezekiel 38:16).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "north parts" (Hebrew: yarkete tsaphon) literally means "uttermost parts of the north" or "farthest north." This emphasizes the extreme northern origin of Gog, suggesting a distant and powerful entity. The imagery of "riding upon horses" (Hebrew: rokve susim) signifies a strong cavalry force, a common and potent military asset in ancient warfare, and a symbol of overwhelming military might.

Practical Application

This prophecy, while specific to a future event, offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Even in the face of seemingly overwhelming threats, God remains in control. This passage reassures us that God can use even the most formidable enemies to achieve His purposes and display His glory.
  • Understanding Prophetic Scripture: It encourages careful study of Bible prophecy, not for sensationalism, but to understand God's long-term plan for Israel and the world, and to live with hope in His ultimate victory.
  • God's Protection of His People: Despite the seemingly dire circumstances, God promises to protect His people, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenants. This echoes themes of divine protection found throughout scripture, such as in Psalm 46:1.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 39:2

    And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:

  • Ezekiel 38:6

    Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: [and] many people with thee.

  • Revelation 20:8

    And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom [is] as the sand of the sea.

  • Revelation 16:14

    For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

  • Revelation 16:16

    And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

  • Daniel 11:40

    And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

  • Ezekiel 38:4

    And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts [of armour, even] a great company [with] bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: