Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 2. Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog] This is allowed to be the most difficult prophecy in the Old Testament. It is difficult to us, because we know not the king nor people intended by it: but I am satisfied they were well known by these names in the time that the prophet wrote.
I have already remarked in the introduction to this book that there are but two opinions on this subject that appear to be at all probable: 1. That which makes GOG Cambyses, king of Persia; and, 2. That which makes him ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES, king of Syria. And between these two (for one or other is supposed to be the person intended) men are much divided.
Calmet, one of the most judicious commentators that ever wrote on the Bible, declares for Cambyses; and supports his opinion, in opposition to all others, by many arguments.
Mr. Mede supposes the Americans are meant who were originally colonies of the Scythians who were descendants of Magog, son of Japheth. Houbigant declares for the Scythians, whose neighbours were the people of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, that is the Russians, Muscovites, and Tybareni or Cappadocians. Several eminent critics espouse this opinion. Rabbi David Kimchi says the Christians and Turks are meant: and of later opinions there are several, founded in the ocean of conjecture.
Calmet says expressly, that GOG is Cambyses, king of Persia, who on his return from the land of Egypt, died in Judea. The Revelation David Martin, pastor of the Waloon church at Utrecht, concludes, after examining all previous opinions, that Antiochus Epiphanes, the great enemy on the Israelites, is alone intended here; and that Gog, which signifies covered, is an allusion to the well-known character of Antiochus, whom historians describe as an artful, cunning, and dissembling man. See Dan. viii. 23, 25; xi. 23, 27, 32. Magog he supposes to mean the country of Syria. Of this opinion the following quotation from Pliny, Hist. Nat., lib. v., c. 23, seems a proof; who, speaking of Coele-Syria, saysCoele habet Apamiam Marsyia amne divisam a Nazarinorum Tetrarchia. Bambycem quam alio nomine Hierapolis vocatur, Syris vero Magog. "Coele-Syria has Apamia separated from the tetrarchy of the Nazarenes by the river Marsyia; and Bambyce, otherwise called Hierapolis; but by the Syrians, MAGOG." I shall at present examine the text by this latter opinion.
Chief prince of Meshech and Tubal] These probably mean the auxiliary forces, over whom Antiochus was supreme; they were the Muscovites and Cappadocians.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The land shall be delivered from heathen oppressors. (Ezek. 36:1-15 The people are reminded of former sins, and promised deliverance (Ezek. 36:16-24) Also holiness, and gospel blessings. (Ezek. 36:25-38)
Ezek. 36:1-15 Those who put contempt and reproach on God's people, wil have them turned on themselves. God promises favour to his Israel. We have no reason to complain, if the more unkind men are, the more kin God is. They shall come again to their own border. It was a type of the heavenly Canaan, of which all God's children are heirs, and into whic they all shall be brought together. And when God returns in mercy to people who return to him in duty, all their grievances will be se right. The full completion of this prophecy must be in some futur event.
Ezek. 36:16-24 The restoration of that people, being typical of ou redemption by Christ, shows that the end aimed at in our salvation is the glory of God. The sin of a people defiles their land; renders i abominable to God, and uncomfortable to themselves. God's holy name in his great name; his holiness is his greatness, nor does any thing els make a man truly great.
Ezek. 36:25-38 Water is an emblem of the cleansing our polluted soul from sin. But no water can do more than take away the filth of the flesh. Water seems in general the sacramental sign of the sanctifyin influences of the Holy Ghost; yet this is always connected with the atoning blood of Christ. When the latter is applied by faith to the conscience, to cleanse it from evil works, the former is always applie to the powers of the soul, to purify it from the pollution of sin. All that have an interest in the new covenant, have a new heart and a ne spirit, in order to their walking in newness of life. God would give heart of flesh, a soft and tender heart, complying with his holy will Renewing grace works as great a change in the soul, as the turning dead stone into living flesh. God will put his Spirit within, as Teacher, Guide, and Sanctifier. The promise of God's grace to fit u for our duty, should quicken our constant care and endeavour to do ou duty. These are promises to be pleaded by, and will be fulfilled to all true believers in every age _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew בן1121 אדם120 שׂים7760 פניך6440 אל413 גוג1463 ארץ776 המגוג4031 נשׂיא5387 ראשׁ7218 משׁך4902 ותבל8422 והנבא5012 עליו׃5921
