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Ezekiel 38:14

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¶ Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know [it]?

Therefore, son {H1121} of man {H120}, prophesy {H5012} and say {H559} unto Gog {H1463}, Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; In that day {H3117} when my people {H5971} of Israel {H3478} dwelleth {H3427} safely {H983}, shalt thou not know {H3045} it?

"Therefore, human being, prophesy! Tell Gog that Adonai ELOHIM says this: 'Won't you be aware of it when my people Isra'el are living in security?

Therefore prophesy, son of man, and tell Gog that this is what the Lord GOD says: On that day when My people Israel are dwelling securely, will you not take notice of this?

Therefore, son of man, prophesy, and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: In that day when my people Israel dwelleth securely, shalt thou not know it?

Commentary

Ezekiel 38:14 is a pivotal verse within the extensive prophecy concerning Gog and Magog, emphasizing God's foreknowledge and sovereign control over future events. It frames the timing of Gog's invasion against Israel.

Context

This verse is part of a significant prophetic section in Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 39, which describes a massive invasion of Israel by a coalition of northern nations led by "Gog of the land of Magog." The prophecy details an unprecedented attack on Israel in the "latter days," after the Jewish people have been regathered to their land following a long dispersion. Prior verses, such as Ezekiel 38:8 and Ezekiel 38:11, describe Israel as dwelling "safely," in unwalled villages, a state of peace and prosperity that makes them an attractive target for Gog's covetous schemes. Verse 14 specifically highlights that Gog's awareness of Israel's security will be a trigger for his invasion.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The most prominent theme is God's absolute control over history. Even the aggressive actions of Gog are not random but occur within the framework of God's predetermined plan. God initiates the prophecy with "Thus saith the Lord GOD," asserting His authority over Gog's future movements.
  • Israel's Perceived Security: The phrase "when my people of Israel dwelleth safely" is crucial. It suggests a time of relative peace and prosperity for Israel, making the subsequent invasion seem all the more surprising and unjust from a human perspective. This perceived security is precisely what God uses to draw Gog into judgment.
  • Gog's Awareness and Motivation: The rhetorical question "shalt thou not know [it]?" implies that Gog will indeed be aware of Israel's vulnerable, peaceful state. This awareness will fuel his greed, leading him to believe Israel is an easy target for plunder, as detailed in Ezekiel 38:12.
  • God's Foreknowledge: God knows Gog's intentions and the exact timing of his attack long before it happens, demonstrating divine omniscience and His ability to declare "the end from the beginning" (Isaiah 46:10).

Linguistic Insights

  • "Son of man" (Hebrew: ben adam): This common designation for Ezekiel throughout the book emphasizes his humanity and mortality in contrast to the divine glory and power he witnesses and proclaims.
  • "Dwellest safely" (Hebrew: batach): The Hebrew word batach conveys a sense of trust, confidence, and security. In this context, it describes Israel's state of dwelling without fear or defensive fortifications, making them appear unprotected and ripe for invasion in Gog's eyes.
  • "Gog": The identity of "Gog" remains a subject of much discussion among scholars. While some interpret Gog as a specific historical or future geopolitical leader, others see him as a symbolic figure representing the ultimate hostile force against God's people in the end times.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 38:14 offers profound theological comfort and a call to spiritual awareness. It reminds us that God is actively involved in human history, even orchestrating the actions of wicked nations to fulfill His ultimate purposes. Believers can find assurance in God's sovereignty, knowing that no event, however catastrophic, is outside His knowledge or control. This prophecy encourages a watchful faith, recognizing that even in times of peace or perceived security, God's plan is unfolding, and His ultimate victory is assured, as seen in the subsequent judgment on Gog in Ezekiel 39:2 and the broader eschatological triumph of God's kingdom.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Zechariah 2:5 (5 votes)

    For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

  • Ezekiel 38:8 (5 votes)

    After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land [that is] brought back from the sword, [and is] gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.

  • Ezekiel 38:11 (4 votes)

    And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,

  • Jeremiah 23:6 (4 votes)

    In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

  • Zechariah 2:8 (3 votes)

    For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

  • Ezekiel 37:28 (2 votes)

    And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

  • Isaiah 4:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.