The tumultuous events occurring today (as of October 2019) in Syria bring to mind the prophetic war described in Ezekiel 38-39. While some of the passage details are subject to speculation and theological debate (such as the identity of Gog), a number of elements can be identified with relative certainty. One can therefore extrapolate a broad, general understanding of the event to which God is pointing. In this blog, an exploration of key participants and geographical locations will be explored.
Participants of Ezekiel 38-39
YHWH
1“And the word (emphasis mine) of the Lord came to me saying” (NASB).
“… ‘Thus, says the LORD God…” (vs. 3, 10, 14, 17, 18, 21, NASB).
23“I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD” (NASB).
It is important to note that the speaker in Ezekiel 38 is the LORD GOD. The title “LORD GOD” is the English translation of the Hebrew YHWH, or Yahweh/Yehovah. This is the formal name of the God of Israel. It is He who declares the events of the chapter that are certain to unfold.
Also, important to note is that “the word of the LORD” came to Ezekiel. The Hebrew term for “word” is dabar and the Septuagint[1] (LXX) translates this term in the Greek as logos. This is the same Greek word used by the Apostle John when identifying Jesus as the Word that was with God and was God and became flesh in John 1. So, one might say, “the logos of YHWH” came to Ezekiel. While I am not making the claim that Jesus appeared to Ezekiel, I am making the claim that it is important to note the language and the implication of the “two powers in heaven” that was theologically relevant in pre-second century A.D. Judaism. This concept is weaved throughout the Old Testament and evidences the deity of Jesus.[2]
New American Standard Bible Translation
2 “Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. 3 “… Behold, I am against you, O Gog, [c]prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal” (NASB).
King James Version Translation
2 “Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. 3 “… Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal” (KJV).
Gog
Ezekiel is instructed to set his face toward Gog. The Hebrew word Gog is a masculine, proper noun which means “mountain.” In the chapter’s context, Gog is ruler of various geographical regions. Verse 3 identifies Gog as a “prince.” The word translated “prince” is the Hebrew word nasiy. Interestingly, the LXX translates the Hebrew word nasiy into the Greek word archōn. Archōn is used of Christ in Isaiah 9 as the Prince (archōn) of Peace. This same Greek word is used in the New Testament in John 14:30, 16:11; and Eph 2:2. In each of these New Testament contexts, archōn refers to an evil principality who is in allegiance to Satan and his kingdom. Either way, the use of archōn seems to indicate rulership in the spiritual realm whether it be Christ as the Lord of Lords or the evil spirits who currently rule the world under Satan.
There is great theological debate regarding the identity of “Gog the prince.” Relative to Ezekiel’s day, Gog was a future figure. Would he be human? An evil, spirit principality influencing the nations? Or both – a specific man who is under the influence of a particular, evil spiritual force that comes against the nation of Israel and YHWH?
Relative to the modern day, scholars have combed history in an effort to determine if a past tyrant meets the criteria of the Gog profile. Although several candidates have been proposed, none have been shown to be a match.[3] Therefore, Gog seems to remain a future figure. What is clear is that a ruler from Meshech and Tubal will stage a military attack on the nation of Israel and will be utterly defeated by YHWH as He magnifies Himself as the one true God.
Many Peoples
Scripture states that Gog will be joined by “bands” and “hoards”… “and many people with you” (Eze 38:9). I propose these are Islamic militants who come from neighboring, Middle Eastern countries in addition to western sympathizers. Since the terrorist event of 9/11, participation in militant organizations such as Al Qaeda and ISIS has only increased.
Geography of Ezekiel 38-39
Gog’s Nations
Rosh
The NASB transliterates, rather than translates, the Hebrew term ro’sh. The term is defined as “head” or “chief.” The KJV translates ro’sh into the English word “chief.”[4] These two different methods of handling this Hebrew term creates debate as to whether the word ro’sh refers to geography or to hierarchy; therefore, two views emerge.
View 1 treats ro’sh as a proper noun and therefore, a geographical location. Gog is the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. Translations consistent with this interpretation include NASB & NKJV. View 2 treats ro’sh adjectivally. Gog is the chief, or head prince of Meshech and Tubal. Translations consistent with this interpretation include KJV, NIV, & ESV.
If Rosh is indeed a proper noun can it be identified as a geographical location? Some claim it can and correlate it to modern Russia.[5] This is achieved by equating the Magogians to the Scythians in the works of Hesiod and Josephus. However, a geographical location named Rosh does not appear in any documentation contemporaneous to Ezekiel, whereas all the other listed locations do.[6] Again, Rosh as a place does not appear in any of the primary sources. Also, the identification made by Josephus was written about 600 years after Ezekiel, providing opportunity for migration to have continued north – migration which is then correlated back to Hesiod. For these reasons, the most accepted interpretation of ro’sh is as “head” or “chief.” This omits Russia from the list of specifically identified nations.
Magog, Meshech, Tubal
All of these nations are found in ancient documentation (primary sources) with agreement that they were located in Anatolia, or Asia Minor, which is modern Turkey.[7] In addition, the bands of Gomer and the house of Togarmah (verse 6) was also located in modern Turkey. The blog post pic contains an overlay of the ancient map of these groups and their locations in modern Turkey.
Collation Forces
5 “Persia, [e]Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer with all its troops; Beth-Togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops—many peoples with you” (NASB).
There is agreement among scholars that ancient Persia is modern day Iran. The second listed nation, translated Ethiopia, is the Hebrew term Kuwsh or Cush. This ancient location was south of Egypt and is often associated with Sudan. Gomer and Beth-Togarmah were also in what is now modern Turkey.
Protesting Nations
13 Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all of its villages (or young lions)[8] will say to you, ‘Have you come to capture spoil?’”
Ancient Sheba and Dedan correlate to modern day Saudi Arabia. Tarshish correlates to modern Spain.[9] But who were the merchants of Tarshish? Were they merchants from Tarshish or other nations who traded merchandise with Tarshish? And if the “merchants of” imply another nation(s), who are the young lions of these merchants? Some believe that Tarshish is a reference to Ancient Britannia, or modern England.[10] But could it be that the merchants of Tarshish refers to Britannia? It is interesting to note that one national symbol of England is the lion, which is featured on a plethora of national insignia. If this is the case, an argument could be made for the identity of the young lions to possibly be USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand as they were born out of Great Britian. It is conceded that this is only speculation, but it is interesting to consider.
Current Events
In light of the current events (as of October 2019), the identification of Gog and his hoard of invaders into modern Israel as primarily Turkey in concert with Islamic militants hailing from Iran, Sudan, Libya and who-knows-where-else gives one great pause. As the USA pulls out of the region, Turkey gains an advantage in northern Syria. Damascus, having continuously stood as a city since before the days of the Apostle Paul, is (for the first time) a war-torn disaster (Isa 17:1). Libya has been in chaos since the demise of Muammar Al-Gaddafi in October of 2011. Syria has been in a state of civil war also since March 2011. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, entertains visions of resurrecting the Ottoman Empire. Iran is working feverishly to develop a nuclear arsenal in order to “wipe Israel off the map” (Ps 83:4) as publicly stated repeatedly by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.[11] ISIS, comprised of militant fighters from around the globe (but predominately the Middle East) seeks to establish a global caliphate – and does so by the sword. Saudi Arabia may protest but will do absolutely nothing. The withdrawal of US troops, coupled with an intensely quick attack, could explain the lack of action by Israel’s western ally. Modern diplomatic practices could explain why Sheba, Dedan and the young lions of Tarshish all protest as a Turkish military moves into Syria toward Israel. Furthermore, a concurrent, simultaneous multi-national protest is far more possible in the modern era due to the speed of communication.
One cannot help but inquire, are these events setting the stage for the Gog of Magog invasion of Israel? While I dare not commit to a definite yes, events and nations seem to be moving into a position that would certainly make such an invasion possible. Eschatology is an intriguing topic and close examination of the prophetic events, places and peoples listed in Ezekiel 38 in conjunction with the geo-politics of 2019 certainly demands scrutiny. Maranatha, Lord Jesus.
[1] The Septuagint (LXX) translation was composed in the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C. in Alexandria, Egypt. Because Israel was under Grecian control during the intertestamental period, a large portion of the population spoke Greek. It was determined that a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures would be beneficial. Tradition holds that 70 (or 72) Hebrew scholars were assembled to compose the translation which led to it being referenced to as LXX, the Roman numeral for 70. The LXX was most often the version of Scriptures referenced by the New Testament authors rather than the Masoretic Text (MT) commonly used in most English Bibles today. Regardless, the MT also demonstrates the precision of scriptural integrity when compared to the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS).
[2] For more information on the “Two Powers in Heaven” see the work of rabbinical scholar Alan Segal. A brief summary and further resources may be found at https://drmsh.com/the-naked-bible/two-powers-in-heaven/.
[3] Johan Lust explains in his entry “Gog” found in the Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible, (Koninklijke, Brill Academic Publishers, NV, Leiden, The Netherlands), 1999.
[4] Strong’s Concordance. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7218.htm.
[5] Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon.
[6] John F. Wolvoord and Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, (Wheaton, IL: SP Publications, 1985): 1299.
[7] Academic publications that agree with this placement include Zondervan, InterVarsity Press, Moody, Holman, and others.
[8] Strong’s Concordance. H3724d kopher is from the same lemma as H3715 kephir which means “young lions.”
[9] John Day, Where Was Tarshish? Let Us Go Up to Zion: Essays in Honour of H.G.M. Williamson on the Occasion of His Sixty-Fifth Birthday, vol. 153 (Leiden: Brill, 2012): 359-69.
[10] Eric Michael Reisenauer. “‘The Merchants of Tarshish, with all the Young Lions Thereof.’ The British Empire, Scripture Prophecy, and the War of Armageddon, 1914-1918,” Journal of the Bible and Its Reception vol 4, iss 2 (Boston, MA: 2017): 287-318.
[11] Nazila Fathi, “Wipe Israel ‘Off the Map’ Iranian Says,” The New York Times, October 27, 2005, https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/27/world/africa/wipe-israel-off-the-map-iranian-says.html.