Ezekiel 39 Study Notes

39:1-3 These verses essentially repeat verses from chap. 38.

39:4-9 These verses are similar to Rv 19:17-18, perhaps referring to the same event.

39:6 The sending of fire (in this case, against Magog) is a common expression for divine judgment (Hs 8:14; Am 1:12).

39:7 Yahweh’s name will be known among the nations. As a result of his actions against Gog and the coalition, his holy name will be made known among his people Israel. His name will never be profaned again (v. 25; 20:9; 36:20-23; 43:7-9).

39:9-10 Up to this point in the prophecy about the invasion of Gog, only God has defended his people against this enemy. Now for the first time Israel is called to act, but her role is to conduct a “mopping up” exercise. The carnage left in the aftermath of the defeat of Gog will be so massive that the Israelites will fuel their fires for seven years with the weapons of her slain enemies. Burning the war implements of a defeated foe recalls the burning of boots and blood-stained cloaks elsewhere in Scripture (Is 9:5; see Ps 46:9; 76:3). It also harks back to when the Israelites burned all that belonged to the Canaanites at the time of the conquest (Dt 7:2; 20:16-18; Jos 6:24). In an ironic reversal, the Israelites will plunder those who had come to plunder them.

39:11 This burial project will be so massive that it will block travel through the land. The name of the valley will be changed to Hordes of Gog Valley. The only major valley that ran in an east-west direction in Israel was the Jezreel Valley, a vital strategic link on the route from Egypt to Damascus in biblical times. This valley will be the location of the great battle of the tribulation period known as Armageddon (Rv 16:13-16).

39:12-16 Because corpses were considered unclean (Lv 21:1,11; 22:4; Nm 5:2; 6:6-12; 31:19), the Mosaic law required all humans to be given a proper burial (Dt 21:22-23). Numbers 19:11-22 explains not only the contaminating effects of a corpse but also the process by which a person so defiled could be ceremonially cleansed.

39:17-20 The mention of the fattened bulls of Bashan in v. 18 is further confirmation that this is the Lord’s sacrificial feast because fat and blood were normally reserved for him (44:15; Lv 3:17). Bashan, east and northeast of the Sea of Galilee, was famous for its fertile land and fat cows (Dt 32:14; Ps 22:12; Am 4:1).

39:17 This sacrificial feast (Is 34:6-8; Zph 1:7) will consist of the flesh and blood of the armies of Gog that had been killed. Birds and beasts will eat fat and drink blood, elements that were reserved exclusively for the Lord when the Hebrews made animal sacrifices (Lv 3:17). Mention of the fat and blood therefore may be a way of highlighting the Lord’s participation in the annihilation of Israel’s enemies. In standard sacrificial practices, the human worshiper slaughtered an animal before the Lord and partook of the food. For this present feast, the Lord will slaughter humans, and animals will devour their bodies; this contrasts with the standard sacrificial procedure and the future banquet meal that Israel will celebrate on Mount Zion (Is 25:6-10). The feasting of wild animals and birds recalls the threatened covenant curse (Lv 26:22; Dt 28:26). Although humans were to have dominion over nature, in their pursuit of evil they become victims of the natural order.

39:21-24 The image of God hiding his face (v. 24), turning away from Israel and choosing not to help them, also appears in Dt 31:17-18; Ps 13:1-2.

39:25-26 The remembrance that leads to shame (they will feel remorse for their disgrace) also occurs in 6:9; 20:43; 36:31.

39:27-29 Before the destruction of Jerusalem God had promised to “pour out” (Hb shaphak) his wrath on Israel (7:8; 9:8; 20:13,21; 22:22; 36:18). Now in restoring his people he will pour out (Hb shaphak) his Spirit. This reference to the Spirit of God connects the passage in its entirety to chaps. 36-37 with their focus on the Spirit.