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:

And I will turn thee back {H7725}, and leave but the sixth part {H8338} of thee, and will cause thee to come up {H5927} from the north {H6828} parts {H3411}, and will bring {H935} thee upon the mountains {H2022} of Israel {H3478}:

I will turn you around, lead you on and bring you from the far reaches of the north against the mountains of Isra'el.

I will turn you around, drive you along, bring you up from the far north, and send you against the mountains of Israel.

and I will turn thee about, and will lead thee on, and will cause thee to come up from the uttermost parts of the north; and I will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel;

Commentary

Ezekiel 39:2 is a powerful declaration of God's absolute control over the forces that would seek to harm His people, specifically focusing on the formidable enemy known as Gog of Magog. This verse continues the prophetic narrative from Ezekiel chapter 38, detailing the divine strategy for the ultimate defeat of this massive invading army.

Context

This verse is found within the extended prophecy against Gog of Magog in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. The prophet Ezekiel, writing during the Babylonian exile, conveys God's message concerning a future, climactic battle. Here, God speaks directly to Gog, stating His intention to orchestrate Gog's movement and ultimate destruction. "The north parts" typically refers to areas north of Israel, historically associated with powerful, often hostile, nations. "The mountains of Israel" is designated as the battleground where God's judgment will be decisively executed.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Control: The repeated "I will" ("I will turn thee back," "I will cause thee to come up," "I will bring thee") powerfully emphasizes God's complete dominion over all nations and events, even those seemingly hostile to His purposes. He is not reacting to Gog but actively directing him to fulfill His divine plan. This echoes God's ultimate sovereignty over all the affairs of mankind.
  • Ultimate Judgment and Defeat: The phrase "leave but the sixth part of thee" signifies a catastrophic and overwhelming defeat for Gog's forces. While the exact numerical meaning of "sixth part" is debated by scholars, it unmistakably conveys a drastic reduction and utter devastation, highlighting the severity of God's judgment against those who oppose Him and His chosen people.
  • Protection of Israel: God brings this vast enemy to the mountains of Israel not for Israel's destruction, but for the enemy's own annihilation. This act serves to protect Israel and to demonstrate God's power and faithfulness to His covenant promises, ultimately leading to the vindication of His holy name before all nations.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "leave but the sixth part of thee" (שִׁשָּׁא - shisha') is a unique and striking expression. While some commentators interpret it literally as one-sixth, others see it as a symbolic representation of a remnant or a significant, divinely determined reduction. Regardless of the precise fraction, the core message is one of immense loss and decisive defeat for the invading forces, orchestrated by God Himself.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 39:2 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that even when confronted with overwhelming evil or seemingly insurmountable threats, God remains in absolute control. He orchestrates events, even using the plans of the wicked to achieve His righteous purposes. This verse instills confidence that God will ultimately protect His people and bring justice, demonstrating His omnipotence and faithfulness to a watching world. It calls us to trust in His sovereignty, knowing that His plans for ultimate victory cannot be thwarted.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 37:29 (3 votes)

    Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I 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 (3 votes)

    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:

  • Psalms 40:14 (3 votes)

    Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

  • Psalms 68:2 (2 votes)

    As smoke is driven away, [so] drive [them] away: as wax melteth before the fire, [so] let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

  • Daniel 11:40 (2 votes)

    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.