Ezekiel 38:7

Translations

Modern

Get ready; prepare yourself, you and all your company gathered around you; you will be their guard.

Traditional

Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.

Literal

Ready yourself, and be ready yourself—you and all your company gathered around you—and be unto them as a guard.

Latin

Præpara et instrue te, et omnem multitudinem tuam quæ coacervata est ad te: et esto eis in præceptum.

Original

Hebrew

English

Get ready; prepare yourself, you and all your company gathered around you; you will be their guard.

Notes

Ezekiel 38:1–39:29

In Ezekiel 37, the nation is reunited and lives in peace in its own land. In Ezekiel 38–39, this peaceful picture changes. A new danger appears. These chapters describe the attack, defeat, and removal of the final enemy, called Gog.
Many readers have tried to identify Gog. Some have connected him with Gyges, king of Lydia, who ruled about 680 to 644 BC. However, the Gog described in the Bible goes beyond any one historical ruler. The text focuses less on who Gog is and more on the worldwide threat from the nations.
Even this powerful enemy would not truly threaten God’s restored people. God was now living among them. Because of his presence, they were secure.
These chapters use strong symbols. They are similar to psalms that speak about Zion’s safety (see, for example, Psalms 2, 46). The message is clear. If even a terrible enemy like Gog cannot defeat God’s people, then nothing in all creation can separate them from God’s protection.
Ezekiel’s description of Gog also includes features of apocalyptic literature (a style of writing that uses symbols and dramatic images to describe God’s final victory over evil; see “Apocalyptic Literature” Theme Note).

Theme notes and profiles

Apocalyptic Literature

Events

Prophecies of Ezekielc. 593 BC

Related verses

2 Chronicles 25:8
Even if you go and fight bravely in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has power to help and power to overthrow.”
Joel 3:9–12
Proclaim this among the nations: “Prepare for war; rouse the mighty men; let all the men of war advance and attack!
Jeremiah 46:14–16
“Announce it in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol; proclaim it in Memphis and Tahpanhes: ‘Take your positions and prepare yourself, for the sword devours those around you.’
Isaiah 37:22
…this is the word that the LORD has spoken against him: ‘The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises you and mocks you; the Daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head behind you.
Amos 4:12
“Therefore, that is what I will do to you, O Israel, and since I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!
Zechariah 14:2–3
For I will gather all the nations for battle against Jerusalem, and the city will be captured, the houses looted, and the women ravished. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be removed from the city.
Jeremiah 51:12
Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon; post the guard; station the watchmen; prepare the ambush. For the LORD has both devised and accomplished what He spoke against the people of Babylon.
Psalm 2:1–4
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
Isaiah 8:9–10
Huddle together, O peoples, and be shattered; pay attention, all you distant lands; prepare for battle, and be shattered; prepare for battle, and be shattered!
Jeremiah 46:3–5
“Deploy your shields, small and large; advance for battle!

Glossary

Book of Revelation Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of Gog Magog

Topics

Preparation

Ezekiel 38:7

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