Ezekiel 38:16
And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.
Original Language Analysis
וְעָלִ֙יתָ֙
And thou shalt come up
H5927
וְעָלִ֙יתָ֙
And thou shalt come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 21
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַמִּ֣י
against my people
H5971
עַמִּ֣י
against my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כֶּֽעָנָ֖ן
as a cloud
H6051
כֶּֽעָנָ֖ן
as a cloud
Strong's:
H6051
Word #:
5 of 21
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
לְכַסּ֣וֹת
to cover
H3680
לְכַסּ֣וֹת
to cover
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
בְּאַחֲרִ֨ית
it shall be in the latter
H319
בְּאַחֲרִ֨ית
it shall be in the latter
Strong's:
H319
Word #:
8 of 21
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
הַיָּמִ֜ים
days
H3117
הַיָּמִ֜ים
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
9 of 21
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
תִּֽהְיֶ֗ה
H1961
תִּֽהְיֶ֗ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וַהֲבִאוֹתִ֙יךָ֙
and I will bring
H935
וַהֲבִאוֹתִ֙יךָ֙
and I will bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
11 of 21
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְמַעַן֩
H4616
לְמַעַן֩
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
דַּ֨עַת
may know
H3045
דַּ֨עַת
may know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
15 of 21
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
הַגּוֹיִ֜ם
that the heathen
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֜ם
that the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
16 of 21
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֹתִ֗י
H853
אֹתִ֗י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּהִקָּדְשִׁ֥י
me when I shall be sanctified
H6942
בְּהִקָּדְשִׁ֥י
me when I shall be sanctified
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
18 of 21
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
Cross References
Ezekiel 38:23Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.Ezekiel 39:21And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.1 Timothy 4:1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;Ezekiel 36:23And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.Hosea 3:5Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.Micah 4:1But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.Isaiah 2:2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.Exodus 14:4And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.Deuteronomy 31:29For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.2 Kings 19:19Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.
Historical Context
The Gog prophecy (586 BC) describes end-times conflict against restored Israel. Various interpretations exist: historical (ancient enemies), symbolic (spiritual warfare), or future literal (millennial battle). Revelation 20:7-10 applies Gog/Magog to final rebellion after the millennium. The key truth transcends timing debates: God sovereignly controls history, using even hostile forces to demonstrate His glory. Every enemy attack ultimately serves God's purposes. This sustained faithful Jews through persecutions and encourages believers today.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sovereign control of hostile forces comfort believers facing opposition?
- What does God using enemy attacks to reveal His glory teach about providence?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes." Even hostile invasion serves God's purpose—demonstrating His sovereignty and holiness. The phrase "I will bring thee" emphasizes divine control; enemies act only within God's permission. The purpose—"that the heathen may know me"—shows judgment serving redemptive purposes. This eschatological battle (Gog and Magog) depicts final conflict before Christ's kingdom is fully established.