Ezekiel 38:5

KJV

Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:

KJV (with Strong's)

Persia {H6539}, Ethiopia {H3568}, and Libya {H6316} with them; all of them with shield {H4043} and helmet {H3553}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Paras, Ethiopia and Put are with them, all with breastplates and helmets;

Berean Standard Bible

Persia, Cush, and Put will accompany them, all with shields and helmets,

American Standard Version

Persia, Cush, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 38:5 serves as a crucial detail within the broader prophecy of Gog and Magog, identifying specific nations—Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya—as key participants in a formidable, divinely orchestrated coalition. This verse highlights their unified military preparedness, emphasizing their armament with shields and helmets, which sets the stage for the climactic eschatological invasion against the restored nation of Israel. It underscores the global scope of this future conflict and implicitly points to God's sovereign hand in gathering these diverse forces for the ultimate revelation of His glory and the vindication of His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 38:5 is an integral part of the extensive prophecy concerning Gog, of the land of Magog, found in [Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39](/ezekiel/38 "Ezekiel 38 - The Prophecy of Gog and Magog"). It immediately follows God's explicit declaration to Gog in [Ezekiel 38:4](/ezekiel/38-4 "Ezekiel 38:4 - God's Sovereign Control Over Gog"), where the Lord states, "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." This preceding verse establishes the divine impetus behind the gathering of this vast army. Verse 5 then proceeds to specify key allies, expanding upon the "great company" and providing concrete geographical identifiers for the invading force. The subsequent verses, such as [Ezekiel 38:6-9](/ezekiel/38-6 "Ezekiel 38:6-9 - Further Allies and the Invasion's Onset"), continue to list additional nations and describe the immense scale of the invading force, all converging on the land of Israel, which is depicted as dwelling securely. Thus, Ezekiel 38:5 functions as a vital identification point, detailing the specific players involved in Gog's grand, divinely permitted, and ultimately defeated alliance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The nations enumerated in Ezekiel 38:5—Persia (Pâraç), Ethiopia (Kûwsh), and Libya (Pûwṭ)—were significant geopolitical entities in the ancient Near East, familiar to Ezekiel's audience. Persia refers to the region that would later become the powerful Achaemenid Empire, though its geographical presence was known earlier. Ethiopia (Cush) typically denotes the kingdom of Nubia, located south of Egypt, encompassing modern-day Sudan and parts of Ethiopia, a powerful and often influential neighbor. Libya (Put) refers to regions west of Egypt, often associated with North Africa. The inclusion of these nations signifies a broad geographical sweep, indicating a multi-directional threat from the east, south, and west of Israel. The mention of "shield" (mâgên) and "helmet" (kôwbaʻ) reflects standard military equipment of the ancient world. These were universal symbols of a prepared and formidable army, evoking images of the vast, well-equipped forces that characterized the empires of Ezekiel's time, such as Babylon, Egypt, or Assyria. The imagery underscores the martial nature and readiness of this specific prophetic coalition.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 38:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic corpus. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, where God is depicted as the ultimate orchestrator of global events, even those seemingly hostile to His people. As clearly stated in [Ezekiel 38:4](/ezekiel/38-4 "Ezekiel 38:4 - God's Sovereign Control Over Gog"), God "puts hooks in Gog's jaws," demonstrating His absolute control over the nations' movements and their ultimate destiny. Another crucial theme is **Eschatological Conflict**, as this passage describes a future, climactic battle involving a vast international coalition against Israel, a recurring motif in biblical prophecy (e.g., [Zechariah 14](/zechariah/14 "Zechariah 14 - The Day of the Lord and Jerusalem's Deliverance")). The verse also highlights the theme of **Israel's Restoration and Security**, as the invasion occurs after Israel has been regathered and is dwelling securely in their land ([Ezekiel 38:8](/ezekiel/38-8 "Ezekiel 38:8 - Israel's Return and Security")). Finally, the **Manifestation of God's Glory** is paramount, as the ultimate purpose of this invasion and God's subsequent decisive intervention is to reveal His holiness and power to all nations ([Ezekiel 38:23](/ezekiel/38-23 "Ezekiel 38:23 - God's Glory Revealed to All Nations")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Persia (Hebrew, _Pâraç'_):** (H6539) This term refers to an Eastern country and its inhabitants, specifically the region that would become the powerful Persian (Achaemenid) Empire. Its inclusion signifies a major power from the east, contributing to the broad geographical scope of the prophesied coalition and emphasizing the global reach of the forces arrayed against Israel.
* **Ethiopia (Hebrew, _Kûwsh'_):** (H3568) Derived from a foreign origin, _Kûwsh_ designates Cush, a son of Ham, and his territory, typically identified with regions south of Egypt, such as Nubia or modern-day Sudan. Its presence indicates a significant force from the southern quadrant, highlighting the widespread and diverse nature of the alliance that God will draw against His people.
* **Shield (Hebrew, _mâgên'_):: (H4043) This term describes a small shield or buckler, a common piece of defensive military equipment used for protection in close combat. Figuratively, it can also denote a protector or defense. Its mention here, alongside "helmet," emphasizes the fully armed and prepared state of the invading forces, indicating their readiness for direct combat and their formidable military might.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them;":** This initial clause identifies three specific nations that will join the confederacy led by Gog, of the land of Magog. "Persia" (modern-day Iran) represents a significant power from the east, "Ethiopia" (Cush, regions south of Egypt like Sudan) signifies a force from the south, and "Libya" (Put, regions west of Egypt) denotes a contingent from the west. The phrase "with them" explicitly links these nations to Gog and the "great company" mentioned in the preceding verses, establishing them as integral and willing participants in the prophesied invasion force. This geographical diversity underscores the vast, international scope of the alliance, indicating a global opposition.
* **"all of them with shield and helmet:":** This concluding phrase describes the military preparedness of the identified nations. The "shield" (mâgên) and "helmet" (kôwbaʻ) are fundamental pieces of ancient military armor, universally recognized as symbols of defense and readiness for battle. The repetition of "all of them" emphasizes the complete armament of every contingent within this coalition, not just a select few. This detail serves to highlight the formidable nature of the invading army, signaling their martial intent and their readiness for a devastating military campaign against the land of Israel, thereby magnifying the power of God who will ultimately defeat such a force.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 38:5 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its prophetic message and underscore the formidable nature of the coming invasion. **Enumeration** is prominently used in the listing of specific nations—Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya—which provides concrete details about the composition of the future invading force, grounding the prophecy in identifiable entities. This particularization adds to the sense of specificity and impending reality. **Synecdoche** is evident in the phrase "with shield and helmet," where these specific pieces of armor stand in for the entire military apparatus and the armed readiness of the nations. This concise imagery powerfully communicates their martial intent and formidable nature without needing to list every weapon or piece of equipment. Furthermore, the overall passage, including this verse, functions as **Prophecy**, foretelling future events and demonstrating God's foreknowledge and sovereign control over nations and history. The stark, direct language contributes to the **Didactic** purpose of the prophecy, instructing the audience about God's power and plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 38:5, by detailing the specific nations involved in the Gog-Magog confederacy, underscores the pervasive biblical theme of **God's sovereign control over the nations**. Even when hostile forces conspire against His people, God remains the ultimate orchestrator, "putting hooks in their jaws" ([Ezekiel 38:4](/ezekiel/38-4 "Ezekiel 38:4 - God's Sovereign Control Over Gog")) to fulfill His divine purposes. This verse also highlights the **eschatological tension** between the forces of evil and God's kingdom, a conflict that culminates in God's decisive intervention and the ultimate vindication of His people. The military readiness of these nations serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual warfare that believers face, yet it simultaneously points to the assured victory of God, who will ultimately display His glory to all the world through these events. The gathering of these diverse nations from various geographical points also emphasizes the **global scope of God's redemptive plan** and the universal recognition of His power that will result from this climactic confrontation.

* [Psalm 2:1-4](/psalms/2-1 "Psalm 2:1-4 - The Nations Rage, God Laughs")
* [Revelation 20:7-9](/revelation/20-7 "Revelation 20:7-9 - The Final Battle and God's Consuming Fire")
* [Joel 3:9-12](/joel/3-9 "Joel 3:9-12 - Nations Gathered for Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 38:5, while detailing a future geopolitical scenario, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. The identification of specific nations and their military readiness serves as a powerful reminder that forces hostile to God's people and purposes are real and often formidable. However, the overarching message of Ezekiel 38-39 is not one of fear, but of God's absolute sovereignty and ultimate victory. This prophecy encourages us to trust in God's unfailing plan, even when global events seem chaotic or threatening. It calls us to spiritual vigilance, recognizing that the spiritual battle is ongoing, but also to unwavering faith in the One who holds all nations in His hand. Our application is not to speculate endlessly on modern geopolitical alignments, but to anchor our hope in God's promises, knowing that He will ultimately be glorified through all things, ensuring the security and vindication of His people. This perspective fosters a spirit of peace and confidence, enabling us to live boldly for Christ in a world that often seems arrayed against Him, understanding that His ultimate triumph is assured.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's sovereign control over nations, even those hostile to Him, impact your sense of security and peace in a turbulent world?**
* **In what ways can the "shield and helmet" imagery remind us of the spiritual armor we are called to put on daily, as described in Ephesians 6?**
* **How does this prophecy encourage you to pray for global events and for the spread of God's kingdom among all nations?**

### FAQ
**Are the nations mentioned in Ezekiel 38:5 identifiable with modern countries?**

Answer: While biblical scholars and commentators often attempt to identify "Persia," "Ethiopia" (Cush), and "Libya" (Put) with modern-day nations, it's important to approach such identifications with caution. "Persia" is generally understood to refer to modern Iran. "Cush" is typically associated with regions south of Egypt, including modern Sudan and parts of Ethiopia. "Put" is often linked to areas west of Egypt, such as Libya or parts of North Africa. However, the primary theological purpose of these names in Ezekiel is to convey the broad, multi-directional, and formidable nature of the alliance against Israel, rather than to provide a precise geopolitical map for contemporary interpretation. The emphasis is on the scope and the divine orchestration of the event, as outlined in [Ezekiel 38:4](/ezekiel/38-4 "Ezekiel 38:4 - God's Sovereign Control Over Gog").

**What is the significance of "shield and helmet" in this verse?**

Answer: The mention of "shield and helmet" is highly significant as it emphasizes the military preparedness and martial intent of the nations involved. These were standard pieces of defensive armor in ancient warfare, universally recognized symbols of a well-equipped and formidable army. Their inclusion underscores that these nations are not merely present but are actively armed and ready for a major military campaign. It highlights the formidable nature of the prophetic invasion force, reinforcing the scale of the threat against Israel and, by extension, the magnitude of God's power in ultimately defeating them, as described later in [Ezekiel 38:18-23](/ezekiel/38-18 "Ezekiel 38:18-23 - God's Wrath and Victory Over Gog").

**Does this prophecy indicate that God desires these nations to attack Israel?**

Answer: No, the prophecy does not indicate that God desires or approves of the attack. Instead, it reveals God's sovereign ability to use the evil intentions of nations to fulfill His own ultimate purposes. [Ezekiel 38:4](/ezekiel/38-4 "Ezekiel 38:4 - God's Sovereign Control Over Gog") explicitly states, "I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth..." This imagery suggests that God is drawing Gog and his allies, not because He sanctions their evil, but because He intends to use their aggression as a stage to display His power and holiness to the entire world. The ultimate goal is for God's name to be magnified and for all nations to know that He is the Lord ([Ezekiel 38:23](/ezekiel/38-23 "Ezekiel 38:23 - God's Glory Revealed to All Nations")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 38:5 describes a future geopolitical conflict, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies not in identifying specific modern nations, but in understanding the overarching biblical narrative of God's sovereign victory over all forces arrayed against His people, culminating in the reign of Christ. The formidable coalition described, "all of them with shield and helmet," represents the totality of human and spiritual opposition to God's kingdom. Yet, just as God sovereignly "puts hooks in Gog's jaws" ([Ezekiel 38:4](/ezekiel/38-4 "Ezekiel 38:4 - God's Sovereign Control Over Gog")), so too does Christ exercise ultimate authority over all earthly powers and spiritual principalities. The New Testament reveals that the true battle is not merely against "flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - The Spiritual Battle")). Christ, as the victorious King, has already triumphed over these forces through His death and resurrection, disarming them and making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). The final defeat of Gog and his allies in Ezekiel foreshadows the ultimate and complete victory of Christ at His second coming, when He will put all enemies under His feet ([1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25 - Christ's Reign Until All Enemies Are Subdued")). Thus, Ezekiel 38:5, with its imagery of a vast, armed confederacy, ultimately points to the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ, who will establish His eternal kingdom, bringing perfect peace and justice, and ensuring that "every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow to Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 27:10

They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.

Genesis 10:6

¶ And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.

Ezekiel 30:5

Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.

1 Chronicles 1:8

The sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

Nahum 3:9

Ethiopia and Egypt [were] her strength, and [it was] infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.

Genesis 10:8

And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.