Albert Barnes Commentary Ezekiel 38
Albert Barnes Commentary
Ezekiel 38
Albert Barnes Commentary
Ezekiel 38
"And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying," — Ezekiel 38:1 (ASV)
The last conflict of the world with God, and the complete overthrow of the world. This section, Ezekiel 38–39, refers to times after the restoration of Israel.
As the Church (the true Israel) grows stronger and stronger, more distant nations will come into collision with it and must be overthrown before its triumph is complete.
Some have thought that this prophecy is directed against the Scythians, who possessed Asia for twenty-three years. During this time, they overran Syria and probably made their appearance in the Holy Land.
However, this prophecy contains little that is distinctive of any single nation. It is a gathering of Yahweh’s enemies to make their last effort, and to be overthrown.
The seer then moves to the final struggle between Good and Evil, and the triumphant establishment of divine rule.
This is the same struggle depicted in the Book of Revelation (Ezekiel 20:7–10), where John adopts words and phrases from Ezekiel.
There are four main divisions of this prophecy:
- Ezekiel 38:1–13, describing Gog’s march.
- Ezekiel 38:14–23, describing his punishment.
- Ezekiel 39:1–16, describing his ruin.
- Ezekiel 39:17–29, the outcome of Gog’s ruin in Israel’s redemption and sanctification.
Each division is broken up into stanzas, like a poem.
"Son of man, set thy face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him," — Ezekiel 38:2 (ASV)
Gog—Gog of the land of Magog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. “Gog” is here the name of a captain from “the land of Magog”—Magog being the name of a people of the north, placed between “Gomer” (the Cimmerians) and “Madai” (the Medes). In the History of Assurbanipal from cuneiform inscriptions, a chief of the Saka (Scythians), called Ga - a - gi, is identified by some with Gog. Rosh, if a proper name, occurs in this connection only.
"and I will turn thee about, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords;" — Ezekiel 38:4 (ASV)
With all sorts - Or, “gorgeously”; see the marginal reference. Omit “of armor.”
"Persia, Cush, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet;" — Ezekiel 38:5 (ASV)
Libya and Ethiopia, mixed with the northern invaders, are tribes from the extreme south, to show that this is a general combination of the foes of God’s people.
"Be thou prepared, yea, prepare thyself, thou, and all thy companies that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them." — Ezekiel 38:7 (ASV)
Spoken ironically. Make all your preparations; they will be in vain.
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