38:8 38:8

Ezekiel 38:9

38:10 38:10

Bible Versions

Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.
Thou shalt ascend {H5927} and come {H935} like a storm {H7722}, thou shalt be like a cloud {H6051} to cover {H3680} the land {H776}, thou, and all thy bands {H102}, and many {H7227} people {H5971} with thee.
You will come up like a storm, you will be like a cloud covering the land - you and all your troops, and many other peoples with you.'
You and all your troops, and many peoples with you will go up, advancing like a thunderstorm; you will be like a cloud covering the land.
And thou shalt ascend, thou shalt come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy hordes, and many peoples with thee.

Commentary on Ezekiel 38:9 (KJV)

Ezekiel 38:9 is a vivid prophetic verse describing the nature and scale of an impending invasion led by "Gog" from the land of "Magog," a significant event prophesied to occur in the "latter days." This verse paints a powerful picture of the overwhelming force that will descend upon the land of Israel.

Context

The book of Ezekiel, particularly chapters 38 and 39, contains one of the Bible's most detailed prophecies regarding a massive coalition of nations that will attack Israel in the end times. The prophecy begins by identifying the leader, Gog, as the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, from the land of Magog (Ezekiel 38:2). This invasion is presented not merely as a human endeavor but as something divinely orchestrated, with God Himself drawing Gog and his vast armies into the conflict to display His glory and holiness to the nations. The invasion is aimed at a peaceful and unsuspecting Israel, gathered from among the nations after a long dispersion.

Key Themes

  • Overwhelming Force: The imagery of "like a storm" and "like a cloud to cover the land" emphasizes the immense, sudden, and destructive nature of Gog's invading army. It suggests a force so vast that it will darken the sky and sweep across the land with irresistible power. This imagery is also used elsewhere in scripture to describe large, formidable armies, such as in Joel 2:2.
  • Vast Numbers: The phrase "thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee" underscores the sheer multitude of soldiers and allied nations involved in this assault. This is not a small skirmish but a grand, multi-national coalition.
  • Divine Sovereignty (Implicit): While the verse describes the enemy's actions, the broader context of Ezekiel 38-39 reveals that this invasion is ultimately part of God's sovereign plan. God declares, "I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth" (Ezekiel 38:4). This illustrates that even the seemingly unstoppable forces of evil operate within the confines of God's ultimate control for His purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "storm" is sâʻar (סַעַר), which denotes a tempest, whirlwind, or violent storm, conveying rapid movement and destructive force. The term "cloud" is ʻânân (עָנָן), a common word for a mass of vapor in the sky, here used metaphorically to suggest a vast, dark, and overwhelming presence that covers the land, obscuring light and bringing ominous implications. These powerful metaphors highlight the perception of an unstoppable, all-encompassing military threat.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 38:9, though a prophetic warning, offers comfort to believers today. It reminds us that even when faced with seemingly overwhelming forces or dire circumstances—whether in the world or in our personal lives—God remains in ultimate control. Just as He orchestrates the movements of nations in prophecy, He is sovereign over all events. This verse serves as a powerful reminder to trust in God's plan and His protection, knowing that even the most formidable adversaries are ultimately subject to His will. Understanding these prophecies can strengthen our faith in God's faithfulness to His promises and His ultimate victory over evil, as also described in Revelation 20:8 where Gog and Magog appear again in a different context.

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.

  • Isaiah 28:2

    Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, [which] as a tempest of hail [and] a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.

  • Jeremiah 4:13

    Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots [shall be] as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.

  • Joel 2:2

    A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, [even] to the years of many generations.

  • Ezekiel 38:16

    And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.

  • Isaiah 25:4

    For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones [is] as a storm [against] the wall.

  • Isaiah 8:9

    ¶ Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.

  • Isaiah 8:10

    Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God [is] with us.
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