John Gill Commentary Ezekiel 38:17

"Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Art thou he of whom I spake in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, that prophesied in those days for [many] years that I would bring thee against them?" — Ezekiel 38:17 (ASV)

Thus says the Lord God, putting the question that follows: are you he of whom I have spoken of old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I will bring you against them? Certainly you are he.

But who were the prophets that prophesied of Gog before Ezekiel, since he is the first that makes mention of him? To this it may be replied, that though he is not mentioned by name, yet he might be prophesied of under other names, as by Isaiah under the name of Leviathan, (Isaiah 27:1) and by Micah under the name of the Assyrian, (Micah 5:5) .

The Jews ^F18 say that Eldad and Medad prophesied of him, which Jarchi, Kimchi, and Abendana remark; who all observe, agreeably to the Talmudists in the place referred to, that these two are the prophets meant; and therefore it is directed to be read not "shanim", years, but "shenaim", two; namely, those two prophets prophesied one prophecy at one time, or together; but this is not to be depended upon.

It should be observed, that this must be considered as spoken at the time of the accomplishment of this prophecy, and so may have respect to the Prophet Ezekiel himself, or to Joel, (Joel 3:1Joel 3:2) , and to Zechariah, (Zechariah 14:1Zechariah 14:2) , and even to the book of the Revelation, (Revelation 16:14Revelation 16:16) (19:19) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F18: T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 17. 1. & Gloss. in ib.