The Primeval Dragons of Chaos | Ezekiel 38-39 Part II

#ezekiel #prophecy #endtimes

In this next section, we will look at the linguistic connections between Gog and Leviathan, and how Gog is depicted as a dragon, a chaos monster.

Comparing Ezekiel 38:1-4 & 39:2-5 with Ezekiel 29:3-5 and 32:2-7 will show how these verses cast Gog as the dragon, the sea monster of chaos, and how Ezekiel reuses the same language and imagery that he applied to Pharaoh earlier in the book. The same language, the same phrases, are used for both Gog and Pharaoh. And this language is not directed at human leaders. This language is directed at supernatural beings. The gods of chaos. The gods who stand in opposition to Yahweh.

We will also discuss Gog’s previous attempt at invading Israel. When was this and why was it stopped?

We then turn our attention to Gog’s human army. Where do they come from? Does the language carry a symbolic significance? Does the book of Revelation help in our understanding of Ezekiel’s intended meaning?

We’ll also note the repetition of seven throughout the prophecy of Ezekiel 38-39. The book of Revelation is famous for its sevenfold structure, but there are glimpses of this structure in Ezekiel as well. Did Ezekiel influence John?

Join us as we continue our study of the famous Gog and Magog prophecy!

Select sources:

Blenkinsopp, Joseph. Ezekiel. Interpretation Commentary. John Knox, 1990

Cook, Stephen L.  Ezekiel 38-48: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary.  Anchor Yale Bible 22B.  Yale, 2018

Eichrodt, Walter. Ezekiel. OTL. Westminster, 1970

Heiser, Michael S. Ezekiel 38-39 Part 1, Episode 152. Naked Bible Podcast Transcript. April 1, 2017. https://nakedbiblepodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/NB-152-Transcript.pdf

Heiser, Michael S. Ezekiel 38-39 Part 2, Episode 153. Naked Bible Podcast Transcript. April 8, 2017. https://nakedbiblepodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/NB-153-Transcript.

Holy Bible. NLT. Filament Edition. Tyndale. 2022

Kaiser, Otto. Isaiah 1-39. 2 vols. OTL. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1983, 1974

van der Toorn, Karel, Bob Becking, and Pieter W. van der Horst eds. Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. Brill, 1995. 2nd ed, 1998

Zimmerli, Walther. Ezekiel 25–48. Hermeneia. Fortress, 1983

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