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The War of Ezekiel 38–39 or The War of Gog and Magog is an episode described in the Book of Ezekiel.
The Book of Ezekiel was written in 593 to 571 BC by Ezekiel, a former priest of the Temple in Jerusalem. Ezekiel lived through the traumatic events of the early 6th century BC which saw Jerusalem fall to the Babylonians, the Temple of Solomon destroyed, and many Israelites, himself included, carried off into captivity (the Babylonian captivity).
The book describes these events as God's punishments for Israel's sins and lack of faith. In chapter 37, the vision of the "valley of dry bones", Ezekiel at last assures the captives in Babylon that they will return from exile. Chapters 38–39 then tell how Gog of Magog (meaning "Gog from the Land of Gog") and his hordes from the north will threaten the restored Israel, but will be destroyed by God.
Then, following the defeat of Gog, God will establish a new Temple where he will dwell forever with his people (chapters 40-48). The underlying theological message is that even so fearsome an enemy as this is ultimately under the control of the God of Israel, since it is God himself who says to Gog, "I will bring you against my land."
Gog
Head of Meshech and Tubal. Son of Japheth, one of Noah's three sons.
Magog
Magog, along with Meshech and Tubal, is mentioned in Genesis 10:2 as being a son of Japheth, one of Noah's three sons. Magog's descendants migrated north of the Black and Caspian seas and the Caucasus Mountains to settle in the northern regions of central Asia. There they became known as the Scythians. Historians and archaeologists have determined that the Scythinans, at their height, controlled an area from Ukraine in the west through Siberia in the east, north of Mongolia, and Iran. In other words, the land of Magog appears to represent Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan.
Meshech
The descendants of Meshech also migrated north and appear to have intermingled with the Sythians. They became known as the Moschi and then later as the Muscovs. Gesenius and others claim that Moschi and Muscov are derived from Meshech and gave rise to the name of the capital of Russia: Moscow.
Tubal
Tubal's descendants also migrated north. They wound up in the area of modern day Georgia and in southern and central Russia. In fact, the name of the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, is derived from Tubal, as is the name of the river Tobol and the city of Tobolsk in central Russia.
Persia
Iran
Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Libya
Libya
Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters
Gomer's descendants seem to be best represented today by Germany, the Baltic countries, and Turkey.
Togarmah, according to Genesis 10:3, is a son of Gomer.
Togarmah is represented today by the countries of Turkey and Armenia.
Sheba, Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, "with all the young lions thereof."
Sheba is a somewhat difficult nation to identify today as there were two nations called Sheba. One was located in Northeast Africa, along the Red Sea, in the vicinity of modern day Eritrea and Djibouti. This Sheba appears to be founded by descendants of Ham via Cush's son Sheba. The second Sheba was founded by the descendants of Shem, via Eber's son Joktan. It was located on the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula, in the area occupied today by Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
A second coalition of nations is mentioned in Ezekiel 38:13. This group centers around Sheba, Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, "with all the young lions thereof." They oppose the coalition led by Russia that invades the Middle East to attack Israel but do not seem to take action. Instead, they lodge a complaint: "Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?" I can see this happening in the form of a UN resolution and diplomatic sanctions.
So, if "the merchants of Tarshish," in Ezekiel 38:13, refers to Spain, Portugal, France, Great Britain, and Ireland, who or what does the phrase "all the young lions thereof" refer to? Interestingly, the Hebrew word, kephiyr, translated here as young lions can also be translated as villages, as in Nehemiah 6:2. This could be an interesting play on words indicating that the young lions of Ezekiel 38:13 are the powerful offspring of the merchants of Tarshish. In other words, the young lions may very well represent the countries which are the offspring of Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and Great Britain. Chief among them would necessarily be the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It may also include the nations of South and Central America, some of the southern African nations, and India, all places colonized by the merchants of Tarshish.
In summary, Ezekiel 38 pictures a coming invasion of Israel.
The invading forces will be led by Russia and will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Turkey, Germany, Armenia, and some of the Baltic countries.
Another alliance will oppose the invasion but not take action to prevent it.
This group appears to be made up of Great Britain, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, France, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and possibly India and the countries of South and Central America.