Ezekiel 38 3

Ezekiel 38:3 kjv

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:

Ezekiel 38:3 nkjv

and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.

Ezekiel 38:3 niv

and say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal.

Ezekiel 38:3 esv

and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.

Ezekiel 38:3 nlt

Give him this message from the Sovereign LORD: Gog, I am your enemy!

Ezekiel 38 verses

Ezekiel 38 3 Meaning

The verse states a prophecy concerning Gog, the land of Magog, which is identified as the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. It declares a divine pronouncement against this figure, setting the stage for a future conflict.

Ezekiel 38 3 Context

Ezekiel 38-39 describes a future prophetic event involving a powerful confederation of nations led by Gog from the land of Magog, identified as the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. This coalition will attack God's people, Israel, in the "latter days." The chapter provides a divine denunciation of Gog and a description of the battle and its aftermath. This passage is situated within Ezekiel's prophetic ministry to the exilic community, offering hope of future restoration and divine vindication against oppressors. The mention of "latter days" and the large-scale invasion are themes echoed throughout biblical prophecy regarding the end times.

Ezekiel 38 3 Word Analysis

• וְהָיָה (vəhāyâ) - "And it came to pass" or "And it shall come to pass." This is a common narrative opening in Hebrew. The future tense here is crucial, pointing to a prophetic event.

• דְּבַר (dĕḇār) - "the word of." This introduces a divine oracle or message.

• יְהוָה (Yəhōwâ) - "Yahweh," the personal name of God, emphasizing that this message originates from the LORD.

• אֵלַי (’êlaŷ) - "unto me" or "to me," indicating the recipient of the divine word is Ezekiel.

• לֵאמֹר (lēmōr) - "saying," another standard introductory particle before quoting the message.

• בֶּן־אָדָם (ben-’āḏām) - "Son of man." This is Ezekiel's primary appellation given by God, emphasizing his humanity in contrast to God's divinity. It signifies humility and a direct mandate to receive and relay divine messages.

• הָקֵם (hāqēm) - "Set your face against" or "Set your face toward." This implies a focused gaze, a deliberate direction of attention, and preparation for a specific declaration or action. It carries a sense of confrontation.

• עַל־גּוֹג (’al-gôg) - "against Gog." This identifies the primary target of the prophecy. Gog is presented as a powerful ruler or entity.

• אֶרֶץ (’ereṣ) - "the land of." This phrase indicates the geographical origin of Gog.

• מָגוֹג (Māgōg) - "Magog." Located in the table of nations (Genesis 10:2), Magog is traditionally associated with northern peoples. Its specific location is debated, but often linked to regions north of Assyria or Anatolia.

• שַׂר־ (śar-) - "prince" or "chief." This denotes leadership and authority.

• נָשִׂיא (nāśî’) - "chief prince" or "prince of princes." This indicates the highest rank, possibly suggesting a supreme ruler or a leader over other rulers. The combination "chief prince" elevates Gog's status significantly.

• נֶשֶׁךְ (nešeḵ) - "Meshech." Also listed in the table of nations (Genesis 10:2), often identified with peoples in Asia Minor, possibly near Tubal.

• וְתֻבָֽ (אל) (wəṯūḇāl) - "and Tubal." Also mentioned with Meshech (Genesis 10:2), associated with populations in Asia Minor, likely in eastern Anatolia. The pairing of Meshech and Tubal is common in ancient Mesopotamian and Anatolian references, often implying northern peoples.

• Word Group Analysis: "chief prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal" - This phrase amalgamates several ancient ethnological and geographical references. "Rosh" is unique in this list and has been debated by scholars. Some suggest it refers to a people in the north, possibly associated with the Slavs or a particular region. The collective mention implies a unified geopolitical threat originating from regions north of Israel, a common theme in Old Testament prophetic threats against God's people. The epithet "chief prince" emphasizes his paramount authority over these confederated groups.

Ezekiel 38 3 Bonus Section

The inclusion of "Rosh" (רֹאשׁ), appearing only here in connection with Meshech and Tubal in the biblical text, is significant. While Meshech and Tubal have clearer historical associations with groups in Asia Minor, "Rosh" is more elusive. Early rabbinic interpretations and later scholarly theories have linked "Rosh" to various northern peoples, including those associated with early Russia or Scandinavia due to linguistic similarities or geographic positioning. This geographical context of the invading force, being from the "north quarters" (Ezekiel 38:15), is a recurring motif in prophetic literature when describing the enemies of Israel and, by extension, God's people. The ultimate outcome of Gog's invasion is complete destruction, demonstrating God's sovereign power and His faithfulness to protect Israel, echoing His actions throughout redemptive history.

Ezekiel 38 3 Commentary

This verse marks the pivotal introduction to the prophecy concerning Gog. God commands Ezekiel to fix his gaze, signifying a divine directive to pronounce judgment upon this formidable leader. Gog is identified not merely by his name but by his paramount position as the "chief prince" of a formidable coalition encompassing Meshech and Tubal, along with the additional, debated designation of "Rosh." The precise geographical identification of these ancient peoples continues to be a subject of scholarly discussion, with common scholarly consensus pointing to northern regions, possibly in Asia Minor and extending further north. The term "chief prince" elevates Gog to a position of supreme command over a confederation of nations, suggesting a unified, powerful force bent on aggression. This prophetic oracle establishes the direct adversarial relationship and the impending divine action against this alliance, setting the stage for the dramatic events described in the following chapters.