Gog גּוֹג
A descendant of Reuben, son of Joel.
Who is Gog in the Bible?
Gog in the Bible most prominently refers to a future antagonist in the prophecy of Ezekiel, where he is depicted as the chief prince of Magog who will lead a massive invasion against Israel during the Messianic age (Ezekiel 38-39). This Gog is described as ruling over northern territories and commanding a coalition of nations in a final assault on God's people. Additionally, a minor biblical figure named Gog appears in 1 Chronicles 5:4 as a descendant of Reuben listed in the genealogy of that tribe. The prophetic figure of Gog holds significant theological importance in discussions of end-times events, representing opposition to God's kingdom that will ultimately be defeated by divine intervention.
Biography
Gog is mentioned in 1Ch.5.4 as a descendant of Reuben, the eldest son of Israel (or 'Jacob'). He is listed in the genealogy as the son of Joel, who was the son of Shemaiah, the son of Joel, the son of Reaiah, the son of Baal, the son of Reuben.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 5:4
"The descendants of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | גּוֹג |
Gog
> f; 39:1-16). His territory was known as the land of Magog, and he was the chief of those northern hordes who were to make a final onslaught upon Israel while enjoying the blessings of the Messianic age. He has been identified with Gagi, ruler of Sakhi, mentioned by Ashurbanipal, but Professor Sayce thinks the Hebrew name corresponds more closely to Gyges, the Lydian king, the Gugu of the cuneiform inscriptions. According to Ezekiel's account Gog's army included in its numbers Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer or the Cimmerians, and Togarmah, from the extreme North. They are represented as a vast mixed horde from the far-off parts of the North, the limits of the horizon, completely armed and equipped for war. They were to come upon the mountains of Israel and cover the land like a cloud. Their purpose is plunder, for the people of Israel are rich and dwell in towns and villages without walls. His coming, which had been prophesied by the seers of Israel, shall be accompanied by a theophany and great convulsions in Nature. A panic shall seize the hosts of Gog, rain, hailstones, pestilence, fire and brimstone shall consume them. Their bodies shall be food for the birds, their weapons shall serve as firewood for seven years and their bones shall be buried East of the Jordan in Hamon-gog and thus not defile the holy land. The fulfillment of this strange prophecy can never be literal. In general it seems to refer to the last and desperate attempts of a dying heathenism to overturn the true religion of Yahweh, or make capital out of it, profiting by its great advantages.
(3) In Re 20:7 Satan is let loose and goes to the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to muster his hosts for the final struggle against God. In Ezekiel the invasion of Gog occurs during the Messianic age, while in Revelation it occurs just at the close of the millennium. In Ezekiel, Gog and Magog are gathered by Yahweh for their destruction; in Re they are gathered by Satan. In both cases the number is vast, the destruction is by supernatural means, and is complete and final.
See MAGOG.
J. J. Reeve
goi'-yim (goyim): This word, rendered in the King James Version "nations," "heathen," "Gentiles," is commonly translated simply "nations" in the Revised Version (British and American). In G