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Commentary on Ezekiel 39 verses 1–7
This prophecy begins as that before (Eze 38:3, Eze 38:4, I am against thee, and I will turn thee back); for there is need of line upon line, both for the conviction of Israel's enemies and the comfort of Israel's friends. Here, as there, it is foretold that God will bring this enemy from the north parts, as formerly the Chaldeans were fetched from the north, Jer 1:14 (Omne malum ab aquilone - Every evil comes from the north), and, long after, the Roman empire was overrun by the northern nations, that he will bring him upon the mountains of Israel (Eze 39:2), first as a place of temptation, where the measures of his iniquity shall be filled up, and then as a place of execution, where his ruin shall be completed. And that is it which is here enlarged upon. 1. His soldiers shall be disarmed and so disabled to carry on their enterprise. Though the men of might may find their hands, yet to what purpose, when they find it is put out of their power to do mischief, when God shall smite their bow out of their left hand and their arrow out of their right? Eze 39:3. Note, The weapons formed against Zion shall not prosper. 2. He and the greatest part of his army shall be slain in the field of battle (Eze 39:4): Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel; there they sinned, and there they shall perish, even upon the holy mountains of Israel, for there broke he the arrows of the bow, Psa 76:3. The mountains of Israel shall be moistened, and fattened, and made fruitful, with the blood of the enemies. "Thou shalt fall upon the open field (Eze 39:5) and shalt not be able even there to make thy escape." Even upon the mountains he shall not find a pass that he shall be able to maintain, and upon the open field he shall not find a road that he shall be able to make his escape by. He and his bands; his regular troops, and the people that are with him that follow the camp to share in the plunder, shall all fall with him. Note, Those that cast in their lot among wicked people (Pro 1:14), that they may have one purse with them, must expect to take their lot with them, and fare as they fare, taking the worse with the better. There shall be such a general slaughter made that but a sixth part shall be left (Eze 39:2), the other five shall all be cut off. Never was army so totally routed as this. And, for its greater infamy and reproach, their bodies shall be a feast to the birds of prey, Eze 39:4. Compare Eze 39:17, Thou shalt fall, for I have spoken it. Note, Rather shall the most illustrious princes (Antiochus was called Epiphanes - the illustrious) and the most numerous armies fall to the ground than any word of God; for he that has spoken will make it good. 3. His country also shall be made desolate: I will send a fire on Magog (Eze 39:6) and among those that dwell carelessly, or confidently, in the isles, that is, the nations of the Gentiles. He designed to destroy the land of Israel, but shall not only be defeated in that design, but shall have his own destroyed by some fire, some consuming judgment or other. Note, Those who invade other people's rights justly lose their own. 4. God will by all this advance the honour of his own name, (1.) Among his people Israel; they shall hereby know more of God's name, of his power and goodness, his care of them, his faithfulness to them. His providence concerning them shall lead them into a better acquaintance with him; every providence should do so, as well as every ordinance: I will make my holy name known in the midst of my people. In Judah is God known; but those that know much of God should know more of him; we should especially increase in the knowledge of his name as a holy name. They shall know him as a God of perfect purity and rectitude and that hates all sin, and then it follows, I will not let them pollute my holy name any more. Note, Those that rightly know God's holy name will not dare to profane it; for it is through ignorance of it that men make light of it and make bold with it. And this is God's method of dealing with men, first to enlighten their understandings, and by that means to influence the whole man; he first makes us to know his holy name, and so keeps us from polluting it and engages us to honour it. And this is here the blessed effect of God's glorious appearances on the behalf of his people. Thus he completes his favours, thus he sanctifies them, thus he makes them blessings indeed; by them he instructs his people and reforms them. When the Almighty scattered kings for her she was white as snow in Salmon, Psa 68:14. (2.) Among the heathen; those that never knew it, or would not own it, shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. They shall be made to know by dear bought experience that he is a God of power, and his people's God and Saviour; and it is in vain for the greatest potentates to contend with him; none ever hardened their heart against him and prospered.
(Chapter 39, Verse 1 onwards) \"But you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal. I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring you from the far north and send you against the mountains of Israel. Then I will strike your bow from your left hand and make your arrows drop from your right hand. On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you.' I have given you as food to the wild animals, birds, and all flying creatures, and to the animals of the earth. You will fall on the face of the field (or the plain): for I have spoken, says the Lord God. And I will send fire on Magog, and on those who dwell securely on the islands (or the coastlands): and they will know that I am the Lord. And I will make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not allow my holy name to be profaned (or polluted) anymore; and the nations will know that I am the holy Lord of Israel. Behold, it comes, and it will happen (or you will know that it will be), says the Lord (Vulgate adds God): this is the day of which I spoke. And the inhabitants of the cities (Vulgate: of the cities) of Israel will go out and burn weapons, shields, spears (or bucklers and thrusting spears), bows and arrows, staffs of the hands (Vulgate: of the hands), and spears (or lances): and they will set them on fire for seven years. And they will not gather (or take) wood from the fields (or the plains), nor cut down from the forests: for they will burn the weapons with fire, and those who had been their plunder will plunder them; and they will loot their looters, says the Lord God. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give to Gog a place for burial in Israel, the valley of the travelers east of the sea, which will cause those passing by to marvel. (Or the πολυάνδριον of those who come to the sea, and they will build around the mouth of the valley; and there Gog and all his multitude will be buried; and the valley (or Ge ) will be called the multitude of Gog. And the house of Israel will bury them there, to cleanse the land (or so that the land will be cleansed) for seven months. But the whole population of the earth will bury them (Vulg. they are silent) and there will be a day named for them, in which I have been glorified, says the Lord God. And they will continuously appoint men, traversing (or encircling) the earth, who will bury and seek out those who remain (Vulg. remained) upon the face of the earth, to cleanse it. But after seven months they will begin to search. And they will go around exploring the earth: and when they see the bone of a man, they will set up a marker next to it, until the embalmers in the Valley (or Ge ) of the multitude of Gog bury it. The name of the city is Amona (or Polyandrion): and the earth will be cleansed (or will be cleansed). And these are the heirs of the Jewish tradition and the disciples of endless fables, who contend that after a thousand years of reign, Gog, the prince of Ros, Mosoch, and Thubal will be killed in the borders of Israel; and they will be devoured by all the birds and beasts: and the inhabitants of the cities of Israel will not use wood for seven years, but instead will use the weapons of Gog, namely shields and spears, arrows and clubs or poles: but Gog himself will be buried in a valley called Ge in Hebrew, and his tomb will be called polyandrion; where, indeed, a multitude of men will be buried. But he must be buried for seven months from the house of Israel, so that the land may be cleansed. And a glorious day will come when Gog is killed, and those who diligently search for and bury the bones must be appointed, so that nothing remains unburied on the land. After the months have passed, or rather after seven months have passed, a great expanse of land must be traversed; and wherever they see a human bone, they must mark it with a nearby sign, so that it can be buried later by those in charge of this task. And the city must be named Amona, which is called πολυάνδριον in Greek, meaning a multitude of buried men; and thus the land will be cleansed. They said this to him. But we, starting the explanation, will discuss each thing that we proposed, keeping the meaning. Gog himself has his own Trinity: Ros, Mosoch, and Thubal; head, namely, and insanity, and everything; so that there is no vice that does not consist in the possession of Gog. This [person] will be educated, whether revolving or being touched, and whether suckled or caressed: so that, hoping for victory, he may be led to battle to be killed. And he will ascend from the sides, or from the farthest parts of the North, from where evil is ignited upon all the earth (Jeremiah 1). And he shall be led by the same over the mountains of Israel, whom we must understand to be the apostles and apostolic men and ecclesiastics, so that after he has been led to the mountains of Israel, the bow in his left hand and the arrows held in his right hand may be struck. And he himself, in order to kill those whom he has deceived, imitates having weapons in both his left and right hands, through good and bad reputation. These are the arrows and javelins of which the Psalmist speaks: For behold sinners have bent the bow, they have prepared their arrows in a quiver, to shoot in the dark at the upright of heart (Psalm 10:2). The fiery darts of the devil must be extinguished by the shield of faith (Ephesians 6). Moreover, Gog, who had ascended over the mountains of Israel, will fall and be cast down on those same mountains with all his army and all his troops. And he will be food for the wild beasts, birds, and all the flying creatures and beasts of the earth, namely the adversarial powers that devour the seed along the way and the bloodthirsty beasts. For just as it is written about the dragon, 'You have given him as food to the peoples of Ethiopia' (Psalm 73:14), so those deceived by heretics are food for demons. But Gog, whether in the breadth of the field or in the cultivated land, which is cared for by the farmers of God. For it cannot be that the words of the Lord are in vain. Then fire will be sent upon Magog, that is, upon those who have accepted the teachings of Gog, and upon those who are beaten by the waves of the world like the likeness of islands, and think that they should be secure. That fire of which the Lord speaks: I came to send fire upon the earth; and how I wish that it should burn! (Luke XII, 49); that all may know and understand that I am the Lord, and that the name of my holiness may be made known among my people, who are in no way deceived by the authority of Gog: nor is my name defiled in heretics by the occasion of false knowledge; and that the nations, which are around, may know that I am the Lord. But what follows is said about the judgment of Christ: Behold, he is coming, and it shall be done, the Lord says: He who is coming will come, and he will not delay (Hab. 2:3). And this is the day of punishment and vengeance, of which the Lord spoke through all the prophets. And the inhabitants of the cities of Israel will go out, the people who believe: but by the cities of Israel we understand the Churches of the right faith. And they will set on fire and burn the weapons, of which it is also written in another place: He will break the bow, and shatter the weapons, and burn the shields and spears with fire (Ps. 43:10), shields and spears, bows and arrows, staves of their hands, with which they celebrated the perverted Passover: lances or poles, with which they inflicted wide and incurable wounds of false doctrines: shields, bows and arrows, of which it has been said above. And what follows: And seven years later they will perish by fire, as is explained in Exodus and Leviticus (Exod. XXI; Levit. XXV), in which the Law prescribes that in the seventh year of release, when freedom is restored to the Hebrew slaves and all debts are paid, and the ancient possession is returned to the masters, and rest is given to the land, and all produce is forgiven to the poor, so that in the sacred and perfect number of seven years the armor of the heretics may disappear, and the men of the Church may not cut wood from the fields and regions, and the forests and woods of the nations, which they most desire to save rather than to destroy; but from the heretics whom they have conquered, with shields, spears, arrows, staves, and lances. For they also have various weapons to attack the Church of Christ, which must be ignited by learned men with the fire of the Holy Spirit; namely, the ecclesiastical word, which whoever possesses can say: Was not our heart burning within us while He was opening the Scriptures to us? (Luke 24:32) We cannot have full peace and confidence of habitation unless we plunder all the belongings of our adversaries, so that all may perish and be turned to ashes; and let us plunder those who had previously plundered us, and let us devastate those who had previously devastated the Church. In Hebrw, in the clear light of preaching, he says, 'I will give Gog a named place, a tomb in Israel; according to the Hebrew, a valley of travelers to the east of the sea, which astonishes passers-by. The meaning of this statement is that the tomb of Gog will not be in the mountains, but in the low valleys and in rugged places, which are called Ge in Hebrew. The heretics, although they are in the West, claim that these places are in the East, in order to deceive travelers, namely those who pass through this world and are not residents but strangers, saying that prophetic verse: I am a stranger and a sojourner, like all my fathers (Ps. 38:12).' For who among those passing by, of whom it is written: 'And those who pass by did not say, the blessing of the Lord be upon you' (Ps. 128:8), does not marvel and stand amazed when he sees the valley of travelers, which appears as a valley to travelers but as a mountain to its inhabitants? This is according to the Hebrew. However, the Septuagint translated it as the polyandrion of those who come to the sea; and they shall build around the entrance of the valley. For it is the labor of those who go out from the cities of Israel to close and enclose every entrance and exit of heretical corruption from those who come to the sea, and they delighted in its bitterness, and with the crashing waves and the cruelty of shipwreck, they shall close and enclose, and bury in the depths of the earth, so that they may no longer go out and deceive others with their deceit. Therefore, there they will bury Gog and his entire multitude, which always delights the heretics. And the name of that valley where Gog is buried will be called the Valley of the Multitude, or πολυάνδριον, that is, the tomb of a very large multitude. And as we said above, the weapons of the adversaries will be burned for seven years: thus, for seven months, the land will be cleansed of the filth of the heretics. For from the first month, when we celebrate the Passover of the Lord and avoid the destroyer of Egypt, the lamb with the blood on our doorposts, until the end of the year, that is, until the seventh month when we pitch our tents and are protected among the other branches of palm trees, in order to demonstrate a complete victory against the enemies. We fulfill all the festivals among the people: not only the teachers, but also the entire population will do this eagerly, to bury Gog and cover the land, and by no means allow the free air to be shared. But after the killing and destruction, or the burial of Gog, Ecclesiastical men shall be chosen, who have this study, so that nothing of the former impurities remains in the land of Israel, nor anything of death. They shall search the land, and seek the dead, and bury them, so that the land of the Church may be cleansed. But if, after seven months, when everything should be cleansed, those who go through and surround the land find in any place the bone of a man, that is, the hardness of heretical corruption, or anything of the previous doctrine of death, they shall place it beside that, or they shall build a monument: so that once those who are of this kind have been marked, then they shall either be cleansed or buried with Gog, and cast into the tomb ((or crowd)) of his burial. The name of the city, where the victory of the Lord's servants is, and the adversaries lie down, and the whole multitude of its enemies is prostrated, will be called Amona, or Polyandrion, so that it may be the end of all things, the restoration of purity. Finally, it follows: And they shall cleanse the earth; no doubt those of whom it is written above will begin to seek, and will go around the earth.
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SUMMARY
Ezekiel 39:1 continues the divine pronouncement against Gog, a powerful, enigmatic leader from the north, and his confederacy. This verse serves as a direct command from the Lord God to the prophet Ezekiel, instructing him to deliver a specific, authoritative message of divine opposition against Gog, identified as the "chief prince of Meshech and Tubal," thereby setting the stage for the dramatic unfolding of God's sovereign judgment and the ultimate vindication of His holy name before the nations.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse immediately follows the detailed prophetic oracle of Gog's invasion of Israel in Ezekiel chapter 38. While chapter 38 describes Gog's mobilization and initial advance, Ezekiel 39:1 marks a renewed and intensified divine word, shifting focus from the description of the invasion to God's explicit declaration of opposition. The repetition of the command to "prophesy against Gog" underscores the certainty and divine origin of the judgment. It serves as a preamble to the detailed account of Gog's catastrophic defeat, emphasizing that the entire event is orchestrated by God to display His glory and holiness to Israel and the nations, a theme central to the latter half of the book, particularly concerning Israel's restoration and the establishment of God's kingdom.
Historical & Cultural Context: Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), a period of profound national humiliation and spiritual renewal for Israel. The references to "Meshech and Tubal" point to ancient peoples located in the region of modern-day Turkey, specifically in Anatolia, north of Israel. Historically, these were formidable, warlike tribes, often associated with the Scythians or Cimmerians, known for their military prowess and distant northern origins. The identification of Gog as their "chief prince" (or "prince of Rosh," as some interpret "chief" – rosh – as a proper noun) positions him as a significant, perhaps even ultimate, northern adversary. This geographical and cultural designation highlights the perceived overwhelming strength of the enemy, making God's decisive victory all the more spectacular and demonstrative of His absolute power over all earthly forces, regardless of their might or origin.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully reinforces several overarching themes found throughout the book of Ezekiel. Firstly, Divine Sovereignty is paramount, as God explicitly declares, "Behold, I am against thee, O Gog," asserting His ultimate control over all nations and historical events, even those seemingly chaotic or overwhelming. Secondly, the theme of Prophetic Authority is emphasized by the repeated phrase "Thus saith the Lord GOD," validating Ezekiel's message as a direct, undeniable word from the Almighty, not human speculation. This divine mandate ensures the prophecy's certain fulfillment. Thirdly, the verse contributes to the theme of God's Protection of Israel, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even when they are vulnerable, by promising to decisively defeat their most formidable enemies. This divine intervention serves to sanctify God's name, a recurring motif in Ezekiel, as seen in passages like Ezekiel 36:23.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Ezekiel 39:1 employs several powerful literary devices. Apostrophe is prominently featured, as God directly addresses Gog, even though the message is delivered through Ezekiel. This direct address heightens the dramatic tension and emphasizes the personal nature of God's confrontation with this formidable enemy. The phrase "Thus saith the Lord GOD" is a classic example of Divine Fiat, a declaration that carries the absolute authority and certainty of God's word, leaving no doubt about the origin or outcome of the prophecy. Furthermore, the Repetition of "prophesy against Gog" from Ezekiel 38:2 serves to reinforce the divine command and the unwavering focus on Gog as the central antagonist. Gog himself functions as a powerful Symbolism, representing the ultimate, seemingly insurmountable forces of evil that rise against God's people, whose defeat will unequivocally demonstrate God's sovereignty and holiness to the entire world.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 39:1 profoundly underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and history. The declaration "Behold, I am against thee, O Gog" is not merely a statement of opposition but a foundational theological truth: no power, human or demonic, can ultimately thwart God's purposes or stand against His will. This divine antagonism against Gog, the embodiment of ultimate human rebellion, serves to vindicate God's holiness and faithfulness to His covenant people. It reveals that even the most formidable threats are merely instruments in God's hands, used to bring about His predetermined plan for judgment and salvation. The prophecy assures believers that God remains actively involved in the affairs of the world, orchestrating events to His glory and ensuring the ultimate triumph of His righteous kingdom.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 39:1 offers profound comfort and a call to trust for believers facing a world often characterized by chaos, conflict, and seemingly overwhelming evil. The unwavering declaration, "Behold, I am against thee, O Gog," serves as a powerful reminder that God is not a passive observer but an active, sovereign participant in human history. This verse assures us that no matter how formidable the opposition or how bleak the circumstances, God remains firmly in control, orchestrating events to His glory and the ultimate protection of His people. It invites us to rest in His omnipotence, knowing that His plans will prevail, and His justice will ultimately be meted out. For those who feel threatened by global instability or personal adversity, this passage reaffirms that our ultimate security rests not in human strength or political solutions, but in the unfailing power and faithfulness of the Lord GOD, who stands against all that opposes His righteous rule.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who is "Gog" in Ezekiel 39:1, and what is his significance?
Answer: In Ezekiel 39:1, "Gog" is identified as "the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal," ancient peoples located in the northern regions, likely modern-day Turkey. While historically rooted, Gog takes on a symbolic and eschatological significance within the prophecy. He represents a formidable, ultimate adversary who will rise against God's people in the "latter days" (Ezekiel 38:16). His invasion is divinely orchestrated to demonstrate God's power and holiness to the nations through his catastrophic defeat. The identity of Gog and his confederacy has been a subject of much debate among scholars, with interpretations ranging from specific historical figures or nations to a symbolic representation of all forces hostile to God and His people, particularly in end-times prophecies, as also referenced in Revelation 20:8.
What is the meaning of Ezekiel being called "son of man" in this context?
Answer: The title "son of man" (Hebrew: ben-adam) is used over 90 times in the book of Ezekiel to refer to the prophet. In this context, it emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity and mortality in contrast to the divine majesty and authority of God who speaks to him. It highlights that the message is not of human origin or wisdom but is a direct, authoritative revelation from the Lord GOD. It underscores Ezekiel's role as a humble, mortal messenger chosen by God to deliver His powerful word to a rebellious people and to the nations, as seen throughout his prophetic ministry, for example, in Ezekiel 2:1.
Why are "Meshech and Tubal" specifically mentioned alongside Gog?
Answer: Meshech and Tubal were known ancient peoples and regions located in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), north of Israel. They were historically associated with warlike tribes and trade, particularly in metals. Their inclusion alongside Gog in Ezekiel 39:1 serves to ground the formidable nature of Gog's confederacy in known geographical and historical realities of the ancient world. By identifying Gog as their "chief prince," the prophecy establishes him as a powerful leader of a significant northern military alliance. This detail helps to paint a picture of an overwhelming, seemingly unstoppable force, thereby magnifying the display of God's power when He decisively defeats them. Their mention emphasizes the scope and scale of the coming judgment, encompassing nations far and wide.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 39:1, with its declaration of God's direct opposition to Gog, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the triumph of Jesus Christ over all spiritual and earthly powers that oppose God. Gog, as the "chief prince" of the nations from the north, embodies the culmination of human and demonic rebellion against God and His people. In the New Testament, Christ is revealed as the true "Son of Man" (Mark 14:62), not merely a mortal messenger like Ezekiel, but the divine, authoritative figure who possesses all power and judgment. Just as God declares His direct antagonism against Gog, so too does Christ, through His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, decisively defeat the "prince of this world" (John 12:31) and all the forces of darkness (Colossians 2:15). The future defeat of Gog and his armies in Ezekiel foreshadows the ultimate and final victory of Christ at His second coming, where He will judge the nations and establish His eternal kingdom, putting all enemies under His feet (1_Corinthians 15:25). Thus, the divine "I am against thee" spoken to Gog is fully realized in Christ's complete and final triumph over all opposition, ensuring the ultimate security and vindication of God's people and the glorification of His holy name.