Keraia
Ezekiel 39

Ezekiel 39:4

The Slaughter of Gog’s Armies · Ezekiel 39:1–20
Read Ezekiel 39

Translations

Modern
On the mountains of Israel you will fall—you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to every kind of ravenous bird and wild beast.
Traditional
Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.
Literal
You will fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the nations who are with you, to be the prey of birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field I will give you as food.
Latin
Super montes Israël cades tu, et omnia agmina tua, et populi tui qui sunt tecum: feris, avibus, omnique volatili et bestiis terræ dedi te ad devorandum.

Original

Hebrew
English
On the mountains of Israel you will fall—you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to every kind of ravenous bird and wild beast.

Notes

Ezekiel 39:3–4

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).

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

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

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

Topics

Birds: Figurative