--- title: "Clarke" description: "with terror the whole frame of nature, 17-23. NOTES ON CHAP. XXXVIII Verse Ezekiel 38:2. Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog — This is" image: "/images/missing.jpg" url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/ezekiel/38" --- *with terror the whole frame of nature*, 17-23. NOTES ON CHAP. XXXVIII Verse [Ezekiel 38:2](../../../kjv/ezekiel/38/2). ***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* [Ezekiel 1:1](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/1) 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 Rev. *David Martin*, pastor of the Waloon church at Utrecht, concludes, after examining all previous opinions, that *Antiochus Epiphanes*, the great enemy of 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 [Daniel 8:23](../../../kjv/daniel/8/23); [Daniel 8:25](../../../kjv/daniel/8/25); [Daniel 11:23](../../../kjv/daniel/11/23); [Daniel 11:27](../../../kjv/daniel/11/27); [Daniel 11:32](../../../kjv/daniel/11/32). *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, says: Coele 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*. Verse [Ezekiel 38:4](../../../kjv/ezekiel/38/4). ***I will turn thee back*** — Thy enterprise shall fail. Verse [Ezekiel 38:5](../../../kjv/ezekiel/38/5). ***Persia*** — That a part of this country was tributary to *Antiochus*, see *1Macc 3:31*. ***Ethiopia, and Libya*** — That these were auxiliaries of Antiochus is evident from [Daniel 11:43](../../../kjv/daniel/11/43): "The Libyans and Ethiopians shall be at his steps." Verse [Ezekiel 38:6](../../../kjv/ezekiel/38/6). ***Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah*** — The *Cimmerians* and *Turcomanians*, and other northern nations.-*Calmet*. Verse [Ezekiel 38:8](../../../kjv/ezekiel/38/8). ***In the latter years thou shalt come*** — This was fulfilled about *four hundred* years after.-*Martin*. The expedition of *Cambyses* against Egypt was about *twelve* years after the return of the Jews from Babylon.-*Calmet*. Verse [Ezekiel 38:9](../../../kjv/ezekiel/38/9). ***Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm*** — It is observable that Antiochus is thus spoken of by Daniel, [Daniel 11:40](../../../kjv/daniel/11/40): *The king of the north*- Antiochus, *shall come against him* (the king of the south is the king of Egypt) *like a whirlwind*. Verse [Ezekiel 38:10](../../../kjv/ezekiel/38/10). ***Shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think**********an evil thought*** — Antiochus purposed to invade and destroy *Egypt*, as well as *Judea*; see [Daniel 11:31-32](../../../kjv/daniel/11/31-32); [Daniel 11:36](../../../kjv/daniel/11/36). This *Calmet* interprets of Cambyses, his cruelties in Egypt, and his evil design to destroy the Israelites. Verse [Ezekiel 38:12](../../../kjv/ezekiel/38/12). ***To take a spoil - and a prey*** — When Antiochus took Jerusalem he gave the pillage of it to his soldiers, and spoiled the temple of its riches, which were immense. See *Joseph*. WAR, B. i. c. 1. Verse [Ezekiel 38:13](../../../kjv/ezekiel/38/13). ***Sheba, and Dedan*** — The Arabians, anciently great plunderers; and *Tarshish*, the inhabitants of the famous isle of Tartessus, the most noted merchants of the time. They are here represented as coming to Antiochus before he undertook the expedition, and *bargaining for the spoils of the Jews. Art thou* *come to take a spoil, to carry away silver and gold, cattle and* *goods*? Verse [Ezekiel 38:16](../../../kjv/ezekiel/38/16). ***When I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog*** — By the defeat of his troops under *Lysias*, his general. *1Mac 3:32, 33*, &c., and [Ezekiel 6:6](../../../kjv/ezekiel/6/6). Verse [Ezekiel 38:17](../../../kjv/ezekiel/38/17). ***Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time*** — This prophecy concerning Antiochus and the Jews was delievered about *four hundred* years before the events took place. - *Martin*. *Calmet* maintains that Cambyses is spoken of, and refers to ancient prophecies, especially [Isaiah 14](../../../kjv/isaiah/14), [Isaiah 15](../../../kjv/isaiah/15), [Isaiah 20](../../../kjv/isaiah/20), [Isaiah 21](../../../kjv/isaiah/21). Verse [Ezekiel 38:21](../../../kjv/ezekiel/38/21). ***I will call for a sword against him*** — Meaning *Judas* *Maccabeus*, who defeated his army under Lysias, making a horrible carnage. - *Martin*. Cambyses had no wars in the mountains of Israel. Verse [Ezekiel 38:22](../../../kjv/ezekiel/38/22). ***Great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.*** — These are probably figurative expressions, to signify that the whole tide of the war should be against him, and that his defeat and slaughter should be great. Abp. *Newcome* supposes all the above prophecy remains yet to be fulfilled. Where such eminent scribes are divided, who shall decide! ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/ezekiel/38#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","width":640,"height":370,"caption":"Clarke's Commentary - Ezekiel 38"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/ezekiel/38#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/ezekiel/38","name":"Clarke's Commentary - Ezekiel 38","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/ezekiel/38#primaryimage"},"datePublished":null,"dateModified":null,"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"with terror the whole frame of nature, 17-23. NOTES ON CHAP. XXXVIII Verse Ezekiel 38:2. 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