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Ezekiel 38

Ezekiel 38:9

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

Translations

Modern
You and all your troops, and many peoples with you will go up, advancing like a thunderstorm; you will be like a cloud covering the land.
Traditional
Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.
Literal
And you will come up, like a storm you will come in, like a cloud to cover the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you.
Latin
Ascendens autem quasi tempestas venies, et quasi nubes, ut operias terram: tu et omnia agmina tua, et populi multi tecum.

Original

Hebrew
English
You and all your troops, and many peoples with you will go up, advancing like a thunderstorm; you will be like a cloud covering the land.

Notes

Ezekiel 38:9

advancing like a thunderstorm: This is similar to the threatening imagery in Ezekiel 1, when God was Israel’s enemy. At that time, Israel sought protection from the rebellious nations around them. Now, Israel would seek protection from God against the nations.

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

Glossary

Book of Revelation Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of Gog Magog

Topics

Armies: Compared to Clouds Clouds of Hostile Armies