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Ezekiel 38

Ezekiel 38:13

A Prophecy against Gog · Ezekiel 38:1–23
Read Ezekiel 38

Translations

Modern
Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages will ask, ‘Have you come to capture the plunder? Have you assembled your hordes to carry away loot, to make off with silver and gold, to take cattle and goods, to seize great spoil?’
Traditional
Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?
Literal
Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, and all her villages, will say to you, ‘Have you come to draw out the plunder? Is it to prey on prey that you have assembled your company—to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to draw out great plunder?’
Latin
Saba, et Dedan, et negotiatores Tharsis, et omnes leones ejus, dicent tibi: Numquid ad sumenda spolia tu venis? ecce ad diripiendam prædam congregasti multitudinem tuam, ut tollas argentum et aurum, et auferas supellectilem atque substantiam, et diripias manubias infinitas.

Original

Hebrew
English
Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages will ask, ‘Have you come to capture the plunder? Have you assembled your hordes to carry away loot, to make off with silver and gold, to take cattle and goods, to seize great spoil?’

Notes

Ezekiel 38:13

The trading nations of the world would gather to profit from Gog’s expected victory.

Sheba and Dedan were in the east. Tarshish was in the west. Merchants from these distant places would come to buy and sell the goods taken in battle.

They believed that Gog and his allies would surely win. They expected to gain wealth from the spoils of war.

Ezekiel 38:1–39:29

  • In Ezekiel 37, the nation is reunited and lives in peace in its own land. In Ezekiel 38–39, this peaceful picture changes. A new danger appears. These chapters describe the attack, defeat, and removal of the final enemy, called Gog.

    Many readers have tried to identify Gog. Some have connected him with Gyges, king of Lydia, who ruled about 680 to 644 BC. However, the Gog described in the Bible goes beyond any one historical ruler. The text focuses less on who Gog is and more on the worldwide threat from the nations.

    Even this powerful enemy would not truly threaten God’s restored people. God was now living among them. Because of his presence, they were secure.

    These chapters use strong symbols. They are similar to psalms that speak about Zion’s safety (see, for example, Psalms 2, 46). The message is clear. If even a terrible enemy like Gog cannot defeat God’s people, then nothing in all creation can separate them from God’s protection.

  • Ezekiel’s description of Gog also includes features of apocalyptic literature (a style of writing that uses symbols and dramatic images to describe God’s final victory over evil; see “Apocalyptic Literature” Theme Note).

Theme notes and profiles

Apocalyptic Literature

Events

Places

Dedan: An Arabian people and region, involved in trade Sheba: Kingdom known for wealth, trade, and the Queen of Sheba Tarshish: Distant maritime city known for its wealth and trade

Glossary

Book of Revelation Dedan (Place) Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of Gog Magog Merchant

Topics

Armies: Compared to Clouds Dedan: A Country, Probably Bordering on Edom Merchant: General Scriptures Concerning Sheba: Queen of, Visits Solomon: Merchandise of Tarshish: Also Called Tharshish: Commerce and Wealth of