Ezekiel 38:1-39:16 describes an invasion of Israel from the north and the subsequent destruction of the invading forces once they reach the area of the mountains of Israel. It will be first necessary to look at the details of this invasion and then deal with the controversial question as to when this invasion will take place.
The passage will be approached with the questions of who, where, what, how, and when?
Concerning who, the prophet named the peoples involved in this invasion in Ezekiel 38:1-6. In verses 1-4, attention is centered on Gog, leader of the land of Magog. He is the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.
Who Gog will be can only be determined at the time of the invasion, for "Gog" is not a proper name, but a title for the ruler of Magog, just as the terms "pharaoh," "kaiser," and "czar" were titles for rulers and not proper names. Whoever rules this alliance at the time of the invasion will be Ezekiel's Gog. The identification of the land of Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal is to be determined from the fact that these tribes of the ancient world occupied the areas of modern-day Russia. Magog, Meshech, and Tubal were between the Black and Caspian Seas, which today is southern Russia. It also includes part of Iran and Turkey. According to some, the tribes of Meshech and Tubal later gave names to cities that bear the names of Moscow, the capital, and Tobolsk, a major city in the Urals in Siberia. Rosh was in what is now northern Russia. the name "Rosh" is the basis for the modern name "Russia." These names, then, cover the modern territories of northern and southern Russia in Europe and Siberia to the east in Asia. The modern nation of Russia encompasses all these areas of Ezekiel.
As to avoid any further possible doubt, verse 6 adds that these come from the uttermost parts of the north. This is repeated in Ezekiel 38:15 and 39:2. From Israel, the uttermost parts of the north is Russia, with Moscow being almost a straight-line due north from Jerusalem.
A 1980 Jewish commentary on Daniel, published by the [Orthodox Jewish] Art Scroll Tanach Series, comments on the identity of Magog: "The various traditions concerning the identity of Magog, who in Genesis 10:2 is listed among the sons of Noah's sons Japheth, tend to place the land of Magog in what today is southwest Russia---the Caucasian region, which lies between the Black and Caspian Seas..."
This highly acclaimed Art Scroll commentary concludes with this fascinating comment: "In this light one may understand an oral tradition passed down from the Vilna Gaon.....that when the Russian navy passes through the Bosporus (that is,
on the way to the Mediterranean through the Dardanelles) it will be time to put on Sabbath clothes (in anticipation of the coming of Messiah)."
However, Russia is not alone in the invasion of Israel. She is part of a confederacy and the leader of it. The other nations involved are listed in verses 5-6, starting with Persia, or present-day Iran. There was a time when Iran was generally pro-western and pro-Israel. Yet, after the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran became anti-western and anti-Israel and moved more within the Russian sphere of influence. Presently, Israel considers Iran its most dangerous enemy. Another nation involved is called "Cush." There are two places that had that name. One was in Mesopotamia (Gen. 2:13), But all other passages of this word refers to Ethiopia. However, consistency with the usage of the word "Cush" elsewhere in the Scriptures demands its identification with Ethiopia. Current events must never be the means of interpreting the Scriptures, but the Scriptures must interpret events. The next nation mentioned in Ezekiel is "Put," which is Somalia. Somalia borders Ethiopia. This is followed by Gomer. In Midrash Rabbah 37:1, Gomer is called Germania, and that is also the way the Talmud refers to Gomer. Hence, according to the rabbis, Gomer is located in present-day Germany. The last name is Togarmah, which is present day Armenia. Hence, in answer as to who will be involved in this confederacy, it is Russia and the allied states of Iran, Ethiopia, Somalia, Germany, and Armenia.
One interesting observation is that according to Ezekiel 38:1-6, not a single Arab nation will participate in this invasion. While some of the nations listed here are Muslim, they are not Arab. Another observation is that these nations are geographically located both north and south of Israel, but it is Russia that is the controlling force, and so the invasion will come from the north.
The cup of iniquity of Russia is almost full. With this invasion it will overflow, and this will participate God's judgement on the nation. God is in control. He is the one who is bringing the invasion about. Thus, while studying Ezekiel 38:1-6, one should note the sovereignty of God in this invasion. It will be the means by which God will punish Russia for her sins. The key sin is her long history of anti-Semitism, a problem that persists to this day.
In Ezekiel 38:7-9, it answers the question as to where the invasion will take place. This passage continues to address Gog as the leader of this confederacy (v.7). It then states that the specific place of the invasion will be the land of Israel, more specifically in the mountains of Israel (v.8). Verse 9 describes the massiveness of the invasion, picturing it as a storm cloud that covers the entire land. This is yet another passage that shows the necessity of the establishment of the Jewish State and also a regathering in unbelief. Israel has to be a state before this invasion can occur. Regardless of one's viewpoint as to when this invasion occurs, each position requires the preexistence of the Jewish State. Furthermore, the passage shows Israel as a nation regathered in unbelief, for only after the invasion do many Jewish people turn to the Lord.
In Ezekiel 38: 10-13, It answers the question as to why this invasion will take place on the part of Russia. The key reason for the Russian invasion is the matter of spoil (vv. 10-12). Exactly what Israel has that Russia would want is not spelled out in the text. The text simply mentions cattle, goods, silver, and gold, but these are general Old Testament references for spoils of war. One of the more popular reasons given for the invasion is that the Dead Sea contains 45 billion tons of sodium, chlorine, sulfur, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and bromide. Another reason centers on the abundance of oil in the Middle East. Ezekiel 38:10-12 makes it clear that the invasion is premeditated by the Russians, for they will devise an evil device and resolve to invade for the purpose of spoils and prey. Therefore, whatever the publicly stated reasons for this invasion may be, the actual reason will be Russia's self-interest.
In verse 13, a second group of nations are listed as protesting this invasion, for they recognize it to be an invasion for spoil and for nothing else. These nations are Sheba, Dedan, and Tarshish. The first two are countries in Arabia, which shows that at least some of the Arab states will not favor the Russian presence in the Middle East. The name "Tarshish" is followed by the phrase "with all her young lions thereof" This phrase is a Hebrew idiom meaning nations that have come out of Tarshish. The Revised Standard Version translates the idiom as "all its villages," and it is close to the mark. But while the idiom is clear, the real issue is the identity of Tarshish from which the other nations come out. The location of this country is England, and if this is what was meant by Tarshish, it would include the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other day present democracies. It might include the British Commonwealth of Nations. Regardless of the exact identity of Tarshish, it is this group that issues a protest. However, it does not go beyond the protest stage. Russia succeeds in invading, and then the invading army is disposed of with no help from the protestors.
In verses 14-16a, the invasion begins, and the confederate army covers the land like a storm cloud, in massive swarms. Hence there is initial success on the part of Russia. In verse 16b, God's reason is given for allowing this invasion to occur, as over against Russia's reasons given in the preceding verses: that He might be sanctified in the eyes of the nations of what is about to occur.
Having described God's purpose, the answer to the questions of what and how is provided in Ezekiel 38: 17-23. The question of what is answered in verses 17-18. With the Russian invasion of Israel, the cup of iniquity is full. The apple of God's eye is touched, and the wife of YHWH is violated, arousing God's anger so that He moves out in judgement to destroy the invading army. This is followed by the answer to the question of how in verses 19-22. The invading army is deposed of and destroyed. Several means are listed: earthquake (vv. 19-20); civil war breaking out among the invading soldiers themselves (v.21); pestilence, blood, flood, hailstones, fire, brimstone (v.22) Since these things annihilate the invading army without the aid of other nations, God's purpose is seen as succeeding in its objective. God is indeed sanctified in the eyes of many people (v.23).
Ezekiel 39:7-8 also adds another piece of information to the account of the invasion, namely, that not only will God's name be sanctified in Israel, but among the Gentile nations as well. Thus, a revival occurs in Israel, causing many Jews to turn to the Lord.
Ezekiel 39:9-10 it states that it will take seven years to dismantle all the military equipment left behind, which will be used for fuel. Finally, in Ezekiel 39:11-16 there is a description of burying the dead for seven months. According to verse 11, the burial place will be in one of the valleys east of the Mediterranean Sea. This statement would put this place in the Jordan Valley above the Dead Sea. The valley will be renamed accordingly. Verses 11-12 state it will take seven months to accomplish the job. Since the enemy's armies will be destroyed in the mountains of Israel, many of the bodies will fall into crevices where they will not easily be found. Therefore, special details will be employed by the government to search out these bodies for burial in the valley (vv. 14-15). Overlooking the cemetery, a new city will be built and named Hamonah, which means "multitude" (v.16).
The most controversial question in the context of Ezekiel 38 and 39 is when: when in the chronology of prophecy will the Russian invasion occur? It is obvious from where the event is placed in this work that the author views the event as taking place sometime before the tribulation.
Shalom Rav
The passage will be approached with the questions of who, where, what, how, and when?
Concerning who, the prophet named the peoples involved in this invasion in Ezekiel 38:1-6. In verses 1-4, attention is centered on Gog, leader of the land of Magog. He is the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.
Who Gog will be can only be determined at the time of the invasion, for "Gog" is not a proper name, but a title for the ruler of Magog, just as the terms "pharaoh," "kaiser," and "czar" were titles for rulers and not proper names. Whoever rules this alliance at the time of the invasion will be Ezekiel's Gog. The identification of the land of Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal is to be determined from the fact that these tribes of the ancient world occupied the areas of modern-day Russia. Magog, Meshech, and Tubal were between the Black and Caspian Seas, which today is southern Russia. It also includes part of Iran and Turkey. According to some, the tribes of Meshech and Tubal later gave names to cities that bear the names of Moscow, the capital, and Tobolsk, a major city in the Urals in Siberia. Rosh was in what is now northern Russia. the name "Rosh" is the basis for the modern name "Russia." These names, then, cover the modern territories of northern and southern Russia in Europe and Siberia to the east in Asia. The modern nation of Russia encompasses all these areas of Ezekiel.
As to avoid any further possible doubt, verse 6 adds that these come from the uttermost parts of the north. This is repeated in Ezekiel 38:15 and 39:2. From Israel, the uttermost parts of the north is Russia, with Moscow being almost a straight-line due north from Jerusalem.
A 1980 Jewish commentary on Daniel, published by the [Orthodox Jewish] Art Scroll Tanach Series, comments on the identity of Magog: "The various traditions concerning the identity of Magog, who in Genesis 10:2 is listed among the sons of Noah's sons Japheth, tend to place the land of Magog in what today is southwest Russia---the Caucasian region, which lies between the Black and Caspian Seas..."
This highly acclaimed Art Scroll commentary concludes with this fascinating comment: "In this light one may understand an oral tradition passed down from the Vilna Gaon.....that when the Russian navy passes through the Bosporus (that is,
on the way to the Mediterranean through the Dardanelles) it will be time to put on Sabbath clothes (in anticipation of the coming of Messiah)."
However, Russia is not alone in the invasion of Israel. She is part of a confederacy and the leader of it. The other nations involved are listed in verses 5-6, starting with Persia, or present-day Iran. There was a time when Iran was generally pro-western and pro-Israel. Yet, after the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran became anti-western and anti-Israel and moved more within the Russian sphere of influence. Presently, Israel considers Iran its most dangerous enemy. Another nation involved is called "Cush." There are two places that had that name. One was in Mesopotamia (Gen. 2:13), But all other passages of this word refers to Ethiopia. However, consistency with the usage of the word "Cush" elsewhere in the Scriptures demands its identification with Ethiopia. Current events must never be the means of interpreting the Scriptures, but the Scriptures must interpret events. The next nation mentioned in Ezekiel is "Put," which is Somalia. Somalia borders Ethiopia. This is followed by Gomer. In Midrash Rabbah 37:1, Gomer is called Germania, and that is also the way the Talmud refers to Gomer. Hence, according to the rabbis, Gomer is located in present-day Germany. The last name is Togarmah, which is present day Armenia. Hence, in answer as to who will be involved in this confederacy, it is Russia and the allied states of Iran, Ethiopia, Somalia, Germany, and Armenia.
One interesting observation is that according to Ezekiel 38:1-6, not a single Arab nation will participate in this invasion. While some of the nations listed here are Muslim, they are not Arab. Another observation is that these nations are geographically located both north and south of Israel, but it is Russia that is the controlling force, and so the invasion will come from the north.
The cup of iniquity of Russia is almost full. With this invasion it will overflow, and this will participate God's judgement on the nation. God is in control. He is the one who is bringing the invasion about. Thus, while studying Ezekiel 38:1-6, one should note the sovereignty of God in this invasion. It will be the means by which God will punish Russia for her sins. The key sin is her long history of anti-Semitism, a problem that persists to this day.
In Ezekiel 38:7-9, it answers the question as to where the invasion will take place. This passage continues to address Gog as the leader of this confederacy (v.7). It then states that the specific place of the invasion will be the land of Israel, more specifically in the mountains of Israel (v.8). Verse 9 describes the massiveness of the invasion, picturing it as a storm cloud that covers the entire land. This is yet another passage that shows the necessity of the establishment of the Jewish State and also a regathering in unbelief. Israel has to be a state before this invasion can occur. Regardless of one's viewpoint as to when this invasion occurs, each position requires the preexistence of the Jewish State. Furthermore, the passage shows Israel as a nation regathered in unbelief, for only after the invasion do many Jewish people turn to the Lord.
In Ezekiel 38: 10-13, It answers the question as to why this invasion will take place on the part of Russia. The key reason for the Russian invasion is the matter of spoil (vv. 10-12). Exactly what Israel has that Russia would want is not spelled out in the text. The text simply mentions cattle, goods, silver, and gold, but these are general Old Testament references for spoils of war. One of the more popular reasons given for the invasion is that the Dead Sea contains 45 billion tons of sodium, chlorine, sulfur, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and bromide. Another reason centers on the abundance of oil in the Middle East. Ezekiel 38:10-12 makes it clear that the invasion is premeditated by the Russians, for they will devise an evil device and resolve to invade for the purpose of spoils and prey. Therefore, whatever the publicly stated reasons for this invasion may be, the actual reason will be Russia's self-interest.
In verse 13, a second group of nations are listed as protesting this invasion, for they recognize it to be an invasion for spoil and for nothing else. These nations are Sheba, Dedan, and Tarshish. The first two are countries in Arabia, which shows that at least some of the Arab states will not favor the Russian presence in the Middle East. The name "Tarshish" is followed by the phrase "with all her young lions thereof" This phrase is a Hebrew idiom meaning nations that have come out of Tarshish. The Revised Standard Version translates the idiom as "all its villages," and it is close to the mark. But while the idiom is clear, the real issue is the identity of Tarshish from which the other nations come out. The location of this country is England, and if this is what was meant by Tarshish, it would include the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other day present democracies. It might include the British Commonwealth of Nations. Regardless of the exact identity of Tarshish, it is this group that issues a protest. However, it does not go beyond the protest stage. Russia succeeds in invading, and then the invading army is disposed of with no help from the protestors.
In verses 14-16a, the invasion begins, and the confederate army covers the land like a storm cloud, in massive swarms. Hence there is initial success on the part of Russia. In verse 16b, God's reason is given for allowing this invasion to occur, as over against Russia's reasons given in the preceding verses: that He might be sanctified in the eyes of the nations of what is about to occur.
Having described God's purpose, the answer to the questions of what and how is provided in Ezekiel 38: 17-23. The question of what is answered in verses 17-18. With the Russian invasion of Israel, the cup of iniquity is full. The apple of God's eye is touched, and the wife of YHWH is violated, arousing God's anger so that He moves out in judgement to destroy the invading army. This is followed by the answer to the question of how in verses 19-22. The invading army is deposed of and destroyed. Several means are listed: earthquake (vv. 19-20); civil war breaking out among the invading soldiers themselves (v.21); pestilence, blood, flood, hailstones, fire, brimstone (v.22) Since these things annihilate the invading army without the aid of other nations, God's purpose is seen as succeeding in its objective. God is indeed sanctified in the eyes of many people (v.23).
Ezekiel 39:7-8 also adds another piece of information to the account of the invasion, namely, that not only will God's name be sanctified in Israel, but among the Gentile nations as well. Thus, a revival occurs in Israel, causing many Jews to turn to the Lord.
Ezekiel 39:9-10 it states that it will take seven years to dismantle all the military equipment left behind, which will be used for fuel. Finally, in Ezekiel 39:11-16 there is a description of burying the dead for seven months. According to verse 11, the burial place will be in one of the valleys east of the Mediterranean Sea. This statement would put this place in the Jordan Valley above the Dead Sea. The valley will be renamed accordingly. Verses 11-12 state it will take seven months to accomplish the job. Since the enemy's armies will be destroyed in the mountains of Israel, many of the bodies will fall into crevices where they will not easily be found. Therefore, special details will be employed by the government to search out these bodies for burial in the valley (vv. 14-15). Overlooking the cemetery, a new city will be built and named Hamonah, which means "multitude" (v.16).
The most controversial question in the context of Ezekiel 38 and 39 is when: when in the chronology of prophecy will the Russian invasion occur? It is obvious from where the event is placed in this work that the author views the event as taking place sometime before the tribulation.
Shalom Rav
