Ezekiel 39:3

Modern

Then I will strike the bow from your left hand and dash down the arrows from your right hand.

Traditional

And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.

Literal

And I will strike the bow from your left hand, and the arrows from your right hand I will make fall.

Latin

Et percutiam arcum tuum in manu sinistra tua, et sagittas tuas de manu dextera tua dejiciam.

Hebrew

English

Then I will strike the bow from your left hand and dash down the arrows from your right hand.

This terrible enemy, Gog, would be left helpless after his defeat.

His dead body would become food for vultures and wild animals. This was similar to what happened to Goliath (compare 1 Samuel 17:44–46).

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

Psalm 76:3
There He shattered the flaming arrows, the shield and sword and weapons of war. Selah
Hosea 1:5
And on that day I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.”
Jeremiah 21:4–5
…this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will turn against you the weapons of war in your hands, with which you are fighting the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the wall, and I will assemble their forces in the center of this city.
Psalm 46:9
He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire.
Ezekiel 20:21–24
But the children rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes or carefully observe My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the wilderness.