War of Ezekiel 38-39
Encyclopedia
The War of Ezekiel 38–39 or The War of Gog and Magog is an episode in the Book of Ezekiel
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The Book of Ezekiel was written in the first half of the 6th century BC by Ezekiel
, a former priest of the Temple in Jerusalem. Ezekiel lived through the traumatic events of the early 6th century BC which saw Jerusalem fall to the Babylonians, the Temple of Solomon destroyed, and many Israelites, himself included, carried off into captivity. The book explains these events as God's punishments for Israel's sin
s and lack of faith. In chapter 37, the vision of the "valley of dry bones", Ezekiel at last assures the captives in Babylon that they will return from exile. Chapters 38–39 then tell how Gog of Magog (meaning "Gog from the Land of Gog") and his hordes from the north will threaten the restored Israel, but will be destroyed by God. Then, following the defeat of Gog, God will establish a new Temple where he will dwell forever with his people (chapters 40-48). The underlying theological message is that even so fearsome an enemy as this is ultimately under the control of the God of Israel, since it is God himself who says to Gog, "I will bring you against my land."
Book of Ezekiel
The Book of Ezekiel is the third of the Latter Prophets in the Hebrew Bible, following the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah and preceding the Book of the Twelve....
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The Book of Ezekiel was written in the first half of the 6th century BC by Ezekiel
Ezekiel
Ezekiel , "God will strengthen" , is the central protagonist of the Book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible. In Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Ezekiel is acknowledged as a Hebrew prophet...
, a former priest of the Temple in Jerusalem. Ezekiel lived through the traumatic events of the early 6th century BC which saw Jerusalem fall to the Babylonians, the Temple of Solomon destroyed, and many Israelites, himself included, carried off into captivity. The book explains these events as God's punishments for Israel's sin
Sin
In religion, sin is the violation or deviation of an eternal divine law or standard. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Christians believe the moral code of conduct is decreed by God In religion, sin (also called peccancy) is the violation or deviation...
s and lack of faith. In chapter 37, the vision of the "valley of dry bones", Ezekiel at last assures the captives in Babylon that they will return from exile. Chapters 38–39 then tell how Gog of Magog (meaning "Gog from the Land of Gog") and his hordes from the north will threaten the restored Israel, but will be destroyed by God. Then, following the defeat of Gog, God will establish a new Temple where he will dwell forever with his people (chapters 40-48). The underlying theological message is that even so fearsome an enemy as this is ultimately under the control of the God of Israel, since it is God himself who says to Gog, "I will bring you against my land."