Ezekiel 39
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1“You, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Behold, I am against you, Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. 2I will turn you around, and will lead you on, and will cause you to come up from the uttermost parts of the north; and I will bring you onto the mountains of Israel. 3I will strike your bow out of your left hand, and will cause your arrows to fall out of your right hand. 4You will fall on the mountains of Israel, you, and all your hordes, and the peoples who are with you. I will give you to the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the animals of the field to be devoured. 5You will fall on the open field; for I have spoken it,” says the Lord Yahweh. 6“I will send a fire on Magog, and on those who dwell securely in the islands. Then they will know that I am Yahweh. 7“‘“I will make my holy name known among my people Israel. I won’t allow my holy name to be profaned any more. Then the nations will know that I am Yahweh, the Holy One in Israel. 8Behold, it comes, and it will be done,” says the Lord Yahweh. “This is the day about which I have spoken. 9“‘“Those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out, and will make fires of the weapons and burn them, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the war clubs and the spears, and they will make fires with them for seven years; 10so that they will take no wood out of the field, and not cut down any out of the forests; for they will make fires with the weapons. They will plunder those who plundered them, and rob those who robbed them,” says the Lord Yahweh. 11“‘“It will happen in that day, that I will give to Gog a place for burial in Israel, the valley of those who pass through on the east of the sea; and it will stop those who pass through. They will bury Gog and all his multitude there; and they will call it ‘The valley of Hamon Gog’. 12“‘“The house of Israel will be burying them for seven months, that they may cleanse the land. 13Yes, all the people of the land will bury them; and they will become famous in the day that I will be glorified,” says the Lord Yahweh. 14“‘“They will set apart men of continual employment, who will pass through the land. Those who pass through will go with those who bury those who remain on the surface of the land, to cleanse it. After the end of seven months they will search. 15Those who pass through the land will pass through; and when anyone sees a man’s bone, then will he set up a sign by it, until the undertakers have buried it in the valley of Hamon Gog. 16Hamonah will also be the name of a city. Thus will they cleanse the land.”’ 17“You, son of man, thus says the Lord Yahweh: ‘Speak to the birds of every sort, and to every animal of the field, “Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel, that you may eat meat and drink blood. 18You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bulls, all of them fatlings of Bashan. 19You shall eat fat until you are full, and drink blood until you are drunk, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you. 20You shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war,” says the Lord Yahweh.’ 21“I will set my glory among the nations. Then all the nations will see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on them. 22So the house of Israel will know that I am Yahweh their God, from that day and forward. 23The nations will know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they trespassed against me, and I hid my face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they all fell by the sword. 24I did to them according to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions. I hid my face from them. 25“Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: ‘Now I will reverse the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel. I will be jealous for my holy name. 26They will bear their shame, and all their trespasses by which they have trespassed against me, when they dwell securely in their land, and no one will make them afraid, 27when I have brought them back from the peoples, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations. 28They will know that I am Yahweh their God, in that I caused them to go into captivity among the nations, and have gathered them to their own land. Then I will leave none of them captive any more. 29I won’t hide my face from them any more; for I have poured out my Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord Yahweh.”
World English Bible (public domain)
“And I will set my glory among the nations, and all the nations shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on them.”
Ezekiel 39:21
Summary
Ezekiel 39 continues the prophecy against Gog, detailing God's judgment upon him and his forces. The chapter describes how God will defeat Gog and his armies, leaving their bodies as a feast for birds and beasts. It symbolizes the ultimate victory of God over His enemies and the vindication of His holy name. God promises to restore the fortunes of Israel and to display His glory among the nations, emphasizing His faithfulness to His covenant people. The chapter concludes with God assuring Israel that He will never again allow them to be shamed among the nations, promising His presence will be amongst them.
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Chapter outline
How Ezekiel 39 unfolds
Ezekiel 39:1–8 God's Judgment Against Gog
Ezekiel is commanded to prophesy against Gog, announcing God's opposition to him. The text details how God will lead Gog into Israel, ultimately striking down his forces.
Ezekiel 39:9–16 Destruction of Weapons and Burial
The inhabitants of Israel will burn the weapons of Gog's forces for seven years. This illustrates the total defeat of Gog and emphasizes the cleansing of the land through the burial process.
Ezekiel 39:17–21 Feast for the Birds and Beasts
God calls birds and animals to feast on Gog and his armies, highlighting the severity of defeat. This act serves as a dramatic demonstration of God's victory and sovereignty over enemies.
Ezekiel 39:22–29 Restoration and Assurance for Israel
God promises Israel that they will recognize Him as their God after their restoration. This assures them of His continued presence and faithfulness, ending their shame and emphasizing His mercy.
Key verses
Ezekiel 39:21The key verse encapsulates the chapter's focus on God's glory being revealed through His judgment against Gog.
Main themes in Ezekiel 39
Divine Judgment
Divine Judgment is a primary theme in Ezekiel 39, particularly evident in verses 1-8. In these verses, God declares His intention to bring judgment upon Gog and his forces, illustrating His authority and control over those who oppose Him. This judgment serves as a reminder that God's righteousness prevails throughout history, and it underscores His commitment to defending His people against their adversaries.
God's Sovereignty
God's Sovereignty is revealed through His control over Gog's movements and fate in verses 2 and 21. The chapter presents a portrayal of God orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes, showcasing His unmatched authority. This reinforces the belief that God governs nations and their leaders, establishing the outcome of conflicts.
Restoration of Israel
The Restoration of Israel is emphasized in verses 25-29, where God promises to reverse Israel's captivity. This theme unfolds through God's assurance of a renewed relationship and His active role in bringing His people back to their land. It underscores the hope and future that God provides for His covenant people.
God's Faithfulness
God's Faithfulness is prominently featured in verses 24-29, where He reaffirms His promise to Israel, despite their previous disobedience. The text emphasizes God's unwavering commitment to restore and protect His people, reflecting His deep and enduring love for them. This assurance of faithfulness not only strengthens Israel's identity as His chosen people but also serves as a source of hope and encouragement in their time of need.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Ezekiel 39
- Isaiah 44Isaiah 44 connects through themes of God's sovereignty and His promise to restore Israel after judgment.
- Joel 2Joel 2 echoes the imagery of divine judgment and the call to the nations, linking to restoration.
- Zephaniah 3Zephaniah 3 develops the theme of God's faithfulness in restoring Israel amidst judgment of the nations.
- Ezekiel 38Ezekiel 38 connects closely as it sets the stage for Gog's opposition and ultimate defeat in 39.
- Isaiah 59Isaiah 59 connects by highlighting God's role in delivering His people from their iniquities.
- Ezekiel 36Ezekiel 36 develops the theme of restoration and cleansing, paving the way for the events in Ezekiel 39.
Study questions
Questions for studying Ezekiel 39
- Who is Gog, and what is his fate in this chapter?
- What does God signify by allowing birds and beasts to feast on Gog's armies?
- How long will the people of Israel take to cleanse the land?
- What does the act of burning weapons symbolize for Israel?
- In what ways will Israel recognize God after their restoration?
- What is the significance of the valley named 'Hamon Gog'?
- How does this chapter affirm God's faithfulness to Israel?
Ezekiel 39: frequently asked questions
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