Ezekiel 39:6
And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וְשִׁלַּחְתִּי
And I will send
H7971
וְשִׁלַּחְתִּי
And I will send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 10
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
בְּמָג֔וֹג
on Magog
H4031
בְּמָג֔וֹג
on Magog
Strong's:
H4031
Word #:
3 of 10
magog, a son of japheth; also a barbarous northern region
וּבְיֹשְׁבֵ֥י
and among them that dwell
H3427
וּבְיֹשְׁבֵ֥י
and among them that dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
הָאִיִּ֖ים
in the isles
H339
הָאִיִּ֖ים
in the isles
Strong's:
H339
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island
לָבֶ֑טַח
carelessly
H983
לָבֶ֑טַח
carelessly
Strong's:
H983
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely
וְיָדְע֖וּ
and they shall know
H3045
וְיָדְע֖וּ
and they shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
7 of 10
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Cross References
Amos 1:4But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Ben-hadad.Ezekiel 30:8And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have set a fire in Egypt, and when all her helpers shall be destroyed.Ezekiel 30:16And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph shall have distresses daily.Jeremiah 25:22And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea,Isaiah 66:19And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.Psalms 72:10The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.Nahum 1:6Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.Amos 1:10But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof.
Historical Context
Magog's 'isles' likely refers to distant Mediterranean or Black Sea regions, representing the ends of the known world. The prophecy assures exiles that restoration won't just survive local threats—God will judge Israel's remotest enemies. The fire imagery evokes Sodom's destruction, suggesting total, divine judgment without human agency. Israel need not fear coalition attacks; God Himself fights.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's judgment on distant 'isles' demonstrate that no one dwells beyond His authority?
- In what ways does divine judgment serve to make God's name and character 'known' even to enemies?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I will send a fire on Magog—judgment falls not only on Gog's army (verse 5) but his homeland. Esh (אֵשׁ, fire) represents divine wrath, the same fire that consumed Sodom (Genesis 19:24). Those that dwell carelessly in the isles (יֹשְׁבֵי הָאִיִּים לָבֶטַח, yoshevei ha'iyim lavetach)—'securely' or 'complacently' in distant coastlands—discover no distance protects from God's reach.
And they shall know that I am the LORD (וְיָדְעוּ כִּי־אֲנִי יְהוָה, veyade'u ki-ani YHWH)—Ezekiel's signature phrase (60+ times). Through judgment, God's covenant name and character become undeniable. The nations' recognition of Yahweh, forced by fire, fulfills Israel's original calling: to make God known (Exodus 19:6). What Israel failed to accomplish through witness, God achieves through wrath.