Analysis of Ezekiel Chapter 39
The Book of Ezekiel is part of the Old Testament and contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Ezekiel. Chapter 39 continues the revelation concerning the apocalyptic battle against Gog and his allies, which began in chapter 38. This chapter deals with the aftermath of this great battle, highlighting God’s sovereignty, judgment, and the restoration of Israel. Through detailed descriptions and promises, it serves as both a warning and a hope, encapsulating themes of divine justice and mercy. This analysis will explore the key themes, symbols, and messages in Ezekiel Chapter 39, offering a comprehensive interpretation of each verse.
Verses 1-6: The Fall of Gog
Verses 1-2: “Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel.”
In these initial verses, God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy against Gog, signaling divine opposition against him. The mention of “Meshech and Tubal” locates Gog’s kingdom, often associated with regions in modern-day Turkey or nearby areas. God’s declaration to “turn thee back” and leave a portion of Gog’s forces underscores His control over the events, emphasizing that the impending defeat is orchestrated by divine will.
Verses 3-6: “And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand. Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD. 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.”
These verses provide a vivid depiction of Gog’s defeat, with his weapons rendered useless and his forces falling on the mountains of Israel. The imagery of scavenging birds and beasts devouring the slain conveys the totality of the destruction. The reference to sending fire on Magog and the careless isles suggests a wider judgment beyond Gog’s immediate armies, extending God’s sovereignty over distant lands. This serves to affirm that the outcome is preordained and a manifestation of divine justice.
Verses 7-10: The Vindication of God’s Holiness
Verse 7: “So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.”
This verse demonstrates a pivotal outcome of the battle—the sanctification of God’s name. By delivering Israel and defeating Gog, God reasserts His holiness and authority among His people and the nations. The assurance that Israel will no longer defile God’s name implies a future of renewed faithfulness and reverence toward the divine.
Verses 8-10: “Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken. And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years: So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.”
The certainty of God’s promise (“it is come, and it is done”) ushers in an era of peace and self-sufficiency for Israel. The burning of weapons for seven years indicates not only the vast amount of war materials left but also symbolizes a time of complete disarmament and the end of hostilities. The numbers and actions in these verses also underscore God’s providence and the reversal of fortunes, where Israel turns the symbols of aggression into resources for their benefit.
Verses 11-16: The Burial of Gog and its Implications
Verses 11-12: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog. And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land.”
These verses describe the burial of Gog and his forces in a specific location, which will be known as “The valley of Hamongog” (meaning “the multitude of Gog”). The stench of the dead causing travelers to stop their noses underlines the magnitude of the slaughter. The act of burying the dead for seven months indicates a comprehensive effort to purify the land, adhering to the religious necessities of cleansing the land from impurity resulting from mass death.
Verses 13-16: “Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD. And they shall sever out men of continual employment, passing through the land to bury with the passengers those that remain upon the face of the earth, to cleanse it: after the end of seven months shall they search. And the passengers that pass through the land, when any seeth a man’s bone, then shall he set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamongog. And also the name of the city shall be Hamonah. Thus shall they cleanse the land.”
The communal effort to bury the dead and the organization of dedicated personnel for this task signify collective responsibility and the importance of maintaining a purified land. This extensive process also serves to highlight the extent of the divine victory and the glorification of God. The name of the city, “Hamonah,” meaning “multitude,” further commemorates the overwhelming defeat bestowed upon Gog and his forces, serving as a lasting reminder of God’s deliverance and judgment.
Verses 17-20: The Feast for the Birds and Beasts
Verses 17-20: “And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood. Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan. And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you. Thus, ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD.”
In this passage, God addresses the birds and beasts, summoning them to a sacrificial feast on the corpses of Gog and his army. The use of sacrificial language portrays the battlefield as an altar where God’s enemies are offered as a sacrifice. The consumption of “mighty men” and “princes” symbolizes the complete downfall of those who opposed God’s people. This imagery powerfully communicates the finality and totality of divine judgment and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Verses 21-24: The Manifestation of God’s Glory and Judgment
Verses 21-22: “And 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. So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.”
These verses encapsulate the dual purpose of God’s actions—vindicating His glory among the nations and reaffirming His relationship with Israel. The visible manifestation of God’s judgment serves as a testament to both Israel and the heathen, confirming His supremacy and faithfulness to His covenant.
Verses 23-24: “And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword. According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them.”
Here, the text provides a reflective understanding of Israel’s past suffering as a consequence of their iniquity. The captivity and suffering were a result of their transgressions, symbolizing God’s righteous judgment. However, this also sets the stage for the restoration and renewal of Israel’s covenant relationship with God.
Verses 25-29: The Restoration of Israel
Verses 25-26: “Therefore, thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; After that, they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.”
These verses emphasize God’s mercy and the promise of restoration for Israel. The reversal of fortune is depicted here, as God will bring back the captives and have mercy, driven by His zeal for His holy name. The acknowledgment of Israel’s shame and previous transgressions serves to highlight God’s grace in restoring them despite their past failures.
Verses 27-29: “When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.”
The concluding verses of the chapter culminate in the promise of restoration and divine presence. The gathering of Israel from among the nations signifies the end of their suffering and dispersion. God’s declaration that He will no longer hide His face symbolizes a permanent renewal of the covenantal relationship, highlighted by the outpouring of His spirit upon Israel. This ultimate restoration confirms the completeness of God’s plan and the reinstatement of Israel under His divine providence and blessing.
Conclusion
Ezekiel Chapter 39 provides a profound narrative of divine judgment, justice, and redemption. The fall of Gog and the subsequent events serve as a testament to God’s sovereignty and holiness, illustrating His power to protect, judge, and restore His people. The vivid imagery and promises in this chapter not only address the historical context of Israel’s struggles but also project a future hope of renewal under God’s everlasting covenant. Through meticulous interpretation of these verses, we gain a deeper understanding of the theological and eschatological themes that underpin the message of Ezekiel 39.