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:

And I will turn thee back {H7725}, and put {H5414} hooks {H2397} into thy jaws {H3895}, and I will bring thee forth {H3318}, and all thine army {H2428}, horses {H5483} and horsemen {H6571}, all of them clothed {H3847} with all sorts {H4358} of armour, even a great {H7227} company {H6951} with bucklers {H6793} and shields {H4043}, all of them handling {H8610} swords {H2719}:

I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with all your army, horses and horsemen, all completely equipped, a great horde with breastplates and shields, all wielding swords.

I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with all your army—your horses, your horsemen in full armor, and a great company armed with shields and bucklers, all brandishing their swords.

and I will turn thee about, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords:

Ezekiel 38:4 is a pivotal verse within the significant prophecy of Gog and Magog, found in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. This passage describes God's direct, sovereign orchestration of a massive military invasion against the land of Israel in the latter days.

Context

This verse is part of a grand prophetic vision given to the prophet Ezekiel, following the powerful restoration of Israel described in chapter 37. After God promises to regather and revive His people, He reveals a future scenario where a formidable coalition of nations, led by a mysterious figure named Gog from the land of Magog, will come against Israel. Verse 4 specifically highlights God's initiative in bringing this invasion about, emphasizing His absolute control over all nations and events, even those seemingly hostile to His purposes.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The repeated phrase "I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth" powerfully illustrates God's complete control over Gog and his vast army. This is not an invasion Gog plans on his own, but one divinely initiated and directed. It underscores that God is ultimately in charge of history and human actions, even those of wicked rulers. For more on God's sovereignty, see Daniel 4:35.
  • God's Purpose in Judgment: While terrifying, the invasion is ultimately for God's glory. As stated later in the prophecy, God brings Gog forth "that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes" (Ezekiel 38:16). This event serves as a dramatic demonstration of God's power and justice to the entire world.
  • Prepared for Battle: The description of the army — "all of them clothed with all sorts [of armour, even] a great company [with] bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords" — paints a vivid picture of a well-equipped, massive military force. This detail emphasizes the magnitude of the threat, further magnifying God's power in overcoming it.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery of "hooks into thy jaws" (Hebrew: chakhim, חַחִים) is particularly striking. This term refers to rings or hooks placed in the noses or jaws of wild animals (like bears or lions) or captured prisoners to lead them wherever desired. It vividly portrays God's absolute authority and power to manipulate and direct even the most formidable and defiant forces for His own purposes. This is not a suggestion but a declaration of divine compulsion.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ezekiel 38:4 offers profound comfort and reassurance. In a world often filled with geopolitical tension, conflicts, and seemingly uncontrollable forces, this verse reminds us that God remains sovereign. No army, no leader, no global event is outside of His divine plan. We are called to trust in His ultimate control and His promise to protect His people, even when facing overwhelming odds. It encourages us to look beyond immediate circumstances to the greater unfolding of God's redemptive plan and His eventual triumph over all evil.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 29:4

    But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales.

  • 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.

  • 2 Kings 19:28

    Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

  • 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:

  • 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:

  • 1 Chronicles 12:8

    And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, [and] men of war [fit] for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces [were like] the faces of lions, and [were] as swift as the roes upon the mountains;

  • Jeremiah 46:9

    Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle [and] bend the bow.

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