Gog

Answers Concerning Prophecies and things future #10

Gog

A name found in two notable prophecies of “the latter days”, both pre-Millennial and post-Millennial (Ezek. xxxviii., xxxix.; Rev. xx.).

In “Elpis Israel“, Dr. Thomas, following Michaelis, makes the mistake of saying:

“Gog is a Gentile, and not a Hebrew name”.

Gog is a Hebrew name, being the name of a son (descendant) of Reuben (1 Chron. v. 4, 1).

“The sons also of Reuben the eldest son of Israel (for he was the eldest, but had defiled his father’s bed, therefore his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, so that the genealogy is not reckoned after his birthright.” (1Ch 5:1 GenevaBible)

“The sons of Joel, Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, and Shimei his son,” (1Ch 5:4 GenevaBible)

The word is said to mean high, mountain (related to Rosh, head), and is thus a fitting designation for the leading Anti-Christian Power of “the time of the end” (Russia). It connects with the ancient Northern invaders of Palestine of the times of the Prophets. These were the prototypes of the invading hosts of “the latter days”. In the Septuagint (Num. xxiv. 7-9), Gog is put for Agag, which was the proper name of the Amalekite Kings (1Sam. xv. 8, 9, 20, 32).

“8 And took Agag the King of the Amalekites alive, and destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the better sheep, and the oxen, and the fat beasts, and the lambs, and all that was good, and they would not destroy them: but everything that was vile and nought worth, that they destroyed.” (1Sa 15:8-9 GenevaBible)

“ And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the King of Amalek, and have destroyed the Amalekites.” (1Sa 15:20 GenevaBible)

“ Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag ye King of the Amalekites: and Agag came unto him pleasantly, and Agag said, Truly the bitterness of death is passed.” (1Sa 15:32 GenevaBible)

Haman, “the Jews’ enemy”, was an Agagite (Esther iii. 1-10; viii. 3-5).

“1  After these things did King Ahashverosh promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and exalted him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. 2 And all the King’s servants that were at the King’s gate, bowed their knees, and reverenced Haman: for the King had so commanded concerning him: but Mordecai bowed not the knee, neither did reverence. 3 Then the King’s servants which were at the King’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the King’s commandment? 4 And albeit they spake daily unto him, yet he would not hear them: therefore they told Haman, that they might see how Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them, that he was a Jew. 5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not the knee unto him, nor did reverence unto him, then Haman was full of wrath. 6 Now he thought it too little to lay hands only on Mordecai: and because they had showed him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahashverosh, even the people of Mordecai.

7  In the first month (that is the month Nisan) in the twelfth year of King Ahashverosh, they cast Pur (that is a, lot) before Haman, from day to day, and from month to month, unto the twelfth month, that is the month Adar. 8 Then Haman said unto King Ahashverosh, There is a people scattered, and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom, and their laws are diverse from all people, and they do not observe the King’s laws: therefore it is not the King’s profit to suffer them. 9 If it please the King, let it be written that they may he destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver by the hands of them that have the charge of this business to bring it into the King’s treasury. 10 Then the King took his ring from his hand and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite the Jew’s adversary.” (Es 3:1-10 GenevaBible)

“3  And Esther spake yet more before the King, and fell down at his feet weeping, and besought him that he would put away the wickedness of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had imagined against the Jews. 4 And the King held out the golden scepter toward Esther. Then arose Esther, and stood before the King, 5 And said, If it please the King, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing be acceptable before the King, and I please him, let it be written, that the letters of the device of Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite may be called again, which he wrote to destroy the Jews, that are in all the King’s provinces.” (Es 8:3-5 GenevaBible)

Gog is related to Magog (Gog eretz Hammagog, Gog of the land of the Magog, Ezek. xxxviii. 2, compare B.F.), somewhat as an Emperor to the countries and peoples of his empire.

“Son of man, set thy face against Gog, and against the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,” (Eze 38:2 GenevaBible)

Magog is more or less particularly identified with the Scythians or Northern Bar-barians in general. The brief and mystical Apocalyptic allusion to Gog and Magog rests upon the Ezekiel prophecy, and warns us against futile endeavours to identify Gog and Magog in modern geography.

See the excellent Section: “Gogue and Magogue” in “Elpis Israel”, Part iii. ch. v.

C. C. Walker

 

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Preceding

Answers Concerning Prophecies and things future #1 Introduction: What is Prophecy? – Prophets, fortune-tellers and Prophecy

Answers Concerning Prophecies and things future #2 Shiloh

Answers Concerning Prophecies and things future #3 Job’s Redeemer

Answers Concerning Prophecies and things future #4 Judah — Gods Battle Axe

Answers Concerning Prophecies and things future #5 Evening Morning Period

Answers Concerning Prophecies and things future #6 Daniel’s Seventy Weeks

Answers Concerning Prophecies and things future #7 Toes of the Image

Answers Concerning Prophecies and things future #8 The Fourth Beast

Answers Concerning Prophecies and things future #9 Michael the Great Prince

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