Ezekiel 38:8
New International Version
After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety.

New Living Translation
A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be enjoying peace after recovering from war and after its people have returned from many lands to the mountains of Israel.

English Standard Version
After many days you will be mustered. In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them.

Berean Standard Bible
After a long time you will be summoned. In the latter years you will enter a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and all now dwell securely.

Berean Literal Bible
After many days you will be mustered; in the latter years, you will come into a land having returned from the sword, having been gathered from many peoples, upon the mountains of Israel, which had been continually as a desolation. From the nations it has been brought out, and they will dwell in safety, all of them.

King James Bible
After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.

New King James Version
After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.

New American Standard Bible
After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual place of ruins; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them.

NASB 1995
“After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them.

NASB 1977
“After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them.

Legacy Standard Bible
After many days you will be mustered; in the last years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many peoples to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the peoples, and they are living securely, all of them.

Amplified Bible
After many days you will be summoned [for service]; in the latter years you shall come into the land that is restored from [the ravages of] the sword, where people have been gathered out of many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual wasteland; but its people were brought out of the nations, and they are living securely, all of them.

Berean Annotated Bible
After a long time you will be summoned. In the latter years you will enter a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel (he wrestles with God), which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and all now dwell securely.

Christian Standard Bible
After a long time you will be summoned. In the last years you will enter a land that has been restored from war and regathered from many peoples to the mountains of Israel, which had long been a ruin. They were brought out from the peoples, and all of them now live securely.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After a long time you will be summoned. In the last years you will enter a land that has been restored from war and regathered from many peoples to the mountains of Israel, which had long been a ruin. They were brought out from the peoples, and all of them now live securely.

American Standard Version
After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, that is gathered out of many peoples, upon the mountains of Israel, which have been a continual waste; but it is brought forth out of the peoples, and they shall dwell securely, all of them.

Contemporary English Version
because in a few years, I will command you to invade Israel, a country that was ruined by war. It was deserted for a long time, but its people have returned from the foreign nations where they once lived. The Israelites now live in peace in the mountains of their own land.

English Revised Version
After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, that is gathered out of many peoples, upon the mountains of Israel, which have been a continual waste: but it is brought forth out of the peoples, and they shall dwell securely, all of them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
After a long time you will be called to service. In the years to come, you will attack a land that has been rebuilt after a war. Its people have been gathered from many nations and brought to the mountains of Israel, mountains that have been ruined for a long time. These people were brought there from the nations, and all of them live there safely.

Good News Translation
After many years I will order him to invade a country where the people were brought back together from many nations and have lived without fear of war. He will invade the mountains of Israel, which were desolate and deserted so long, but where all the people now live in safety.

International Standard Version
"'"Many days from now—in the latter years—you will be summoned to a land that has been restored from violence. You will be gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which formerly had been a continuous waste, but which will be populated with people who have been brought back from the nations. All of them will be living there securely.

NET Bible
After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come to a land restored from the ravages of war, with many peoples gathered on the mountains of Israel that had long been in ruins. Its people were brought out from the peoples, and all of them will be living securely.

New Heart English Bible
After many days you shall be visited: in the latter years you shall come into the land that is brought back from the sword, that is gathered out of many peoples, on the mountains of Israel, which have been a continual waste; but it is brought forth out of the peoples, and they shall dwell securely, all of them.

Webster's Bible Translation
After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall all dwell in safety.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
After a long time you will be summoned. In the latter years you will enter a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and all now dwell securely.

World English Bible
After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land that is brought back from the sword, that is gathered out of many peoples, on the mountains of Israel, which have been a continual waste; but it is brought out of the peoples and they will dwell securely, all of them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
After many days you are appointed, "" In the latter end of the years you come into a land brought back from sword—Gathered out of many peoples, "" On mountains of Israel, "" That have been for a continuous ruin, "" And it has been brought out from the peoples, "" And all of them have dwelt safely.

Berean Literal Bible
After many days you will be mustered; in the latter years, you will come into a land having returned from the sword, having been gathered from many peoples, upon the mountains of Israel, which had been continually as a desolation. From the nations it has been brought out, and they will dwell in safety, all of them.

Young's Literal Translation
After many days thou art appointed, In the latter end of the years thou comest in unto a land brought back from sword, A people gathered out of many peoples, Upon mountains of Israel, That have been for a perpetual waste, And it from the peoples hath been brought out, And dwelt safely have all of them.

Smith's Literal Translation
From many days thou shalt be reviewed: in the last of the years thou shalt come to the land turned back from the sword, being gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which were continually for waste: and she was brought forth from the peoples, and they dwelt confidently all of them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
After many days thou shalt be visited: at the end of years thou shalt come to the land that is returned from the sword, and is gathered out of many nations, to the mountains of Israel which have been continually waste: but it hath been brought forth out of the nations, and they shall all of them dwell securely in

Catholic Public Domain Version
After many days, you will be visited. At the end of the years, you will arrive at the land which was turned back by the sword, and which has been gathered from many peoples to the mountains of Israel that have been continually abandoned. These ones have been led away from the peoples, and all of them will be living confidently within it.

New American Bible
After many days you will be called to battle; in the last years you will invade a land that has survived the sword—a people gathered from many nations back to the long-deserted mountains of Israel, brought forth from the nations to dwell securely.

New Revised Standard Version
After many days you shall be mustered; in the latter years you shall go against a land restored from war, a land where people were gathered from many nations on the mountains of Israel, which had long lain waste; its people were brought out from the nations and now are living in safety, all of them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You have been commanded in former days, and in the later years you shall come against the mountains of Israel and against the land which is at peace and free from the sword, whose people were gathered from many nations, and now they all dwell safely in it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
From the first days you were commanded, and in the end of years you shall come on the mountains of Israel, and upon the land that is at peace from the sword and gathered from many nations, and all of them dwell in it in quietness
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
After many days thou shalt be mustered for service, in the latter years thou shalt come against the land that is brought back from the sword, that is gathered out of many peoples, against the mountains of Israel, which have been a continual waste; but it is brought forth out of the peoples, and they dwell safely all of them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He shall be prepared after many days, and he shall come at the end of years, and shall come to a land that is brought back from the sword, when the people are gathered from many nations against the land of Israel, which was entirely desolate: and he is come forth out of the nations, and they shall all dwell securely.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Prophecy Against Gog
7Get ready; prepare yourself, you and all your company gathered around you; you will be their guard. 8After a long time you will be summoned. In the latter years you will enter a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and all now dwell securely. 9You and all your troops, and many peoples with you will go up, advancing like a thunderstorm; you will be like a cloud covering the land.…

Cross References
After a long time you will be summoned.

Isaiah 24:22
They will be gathered together like prisoners in a pit. They will be confined to a dungeon and punished after many days.

Hosea 3:5
Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.

Jeremiah 30:24
The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has fully accomplished the purposes of His heart. In the days to come you will understand this.
In the latter years you will enter a land that has recovered from war,

Psalm 46:9
He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire.

Isaiah 2:4
Then He will judge between the nations and arbitrate for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor train anymore for war.

Micah 4:3
Then He will judge between many peoples and arbitrate for strong nations far and wide. Then they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor will they train anymore for war.
whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel,

Ezekiel 36:24
For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all the countries, and I will bring you back into your own land.

Isaiah 11:11-12
On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. / He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Jeremiah 31:10
Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock.
which had long been desolate.

Ezekiel 36:34-35
The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through. / Then they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The cities that were once ruined, desolate, and destroyed are now fortified and inhabited.’

Jeremiah 33:10-12
This is what the LORD says: In this place you say is a wasteland without man or beast, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted—inhabited by neither man nor beast—there will be heard again / the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the LORD, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.’ For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD. / This is what the LORD of Hosts says: In this desolate place, without man or beast, and in all its cities, there will once more be pastures for shepherds to rest their flocks.

Isaiah 61:4
They will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.
They had been brought out from the nations,

Deuteronomy 30:3-4
then He will restore you from captivity and have compassion on you and gather you from all the nations to which the LORD your God has scattered you. / Even if you have been banished to the farthest horizon, He will gather you and return you from there.

Ezekiel 11:17
Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you from the countries to which you have been scattered, and I will give back to you the land of Israel.’

Amos 9:14-15
I will restore My people Israel from captivity; they will rebuild and inhabit the ruined cities. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. / I will firmly plant them in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land that I have given them,” says the LORD your God.
and all now dwell securely.

Ezekiel 34:28
They will no longer be prey for the nations, and the beasts of the earth will not consume them. They will dwell securely, and no one will frighten them.


Treasury of Scripture

After many days you shall be visited: in the latter years you shall come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.

many days

Ezekiel 38:16
And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.

Genesis 49:1
And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.

Numbers 24:14
And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.

thou shalt be

Exodus 20:5
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Isaiah 24:22
And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.

Isaiah 29:6
Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.

into the land

Ezekiel 38:12
To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.

Ezekiel 36:24
For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

Ezekiel 37:21
And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:

the mountains

Ezekiel 34:13
And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.

Ezekiel 36:1-8
Also, thou son of man, prophesy unto the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD: …

it is

1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

and they shall

Ezekiel 38:11
And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,

Ezekiel 28:26
And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.

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Ezekiel 38
1. The army
8. and malice of Gog
14. God's judgment against him












After a long time you will be summoned.
This phrase indicates a significant passage of time before the events described will occur. It suggests a divine orchestration, where God calls upon certain nations or leaders to fulfill His purposes. The summoning implies a predetermined plan, aligning with the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over history. This can be connected to other prophetic scriptures where God summons nations for His purposes, such as in Isaiah 13:4-5.

In the latter years you will enter a land that has recovered from war,
The "latter years" often refers to the end times or a future period in biblical prophecy. The land recovering from war suggests a period of peace and restoration, possibly after significant conflict. This aligns with the prophetic vision of Israel's restoration found in passages like Isaiah 11:11-12 and Amos 9:14-15, where God promises to bring His people back to their land and restore it.

whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel,
This phrase highlights the regathering of the Jewish people from the diaspora, a theme prevalent in prophetic literature. The mountains of Israel are significant as they represent the heartland of the ancient kingdom. This regathering is seen as a fulfillment of prophecies such as Ezekiel 36:24 and Isaiah 43:5-6, where God promises to bring His people back from all corners of the earth.

which had long been desolate.
The desolation of the land refers to the period of exile and abandonment, a consequence of Israel's disobedience. This desolation is mentioned in Leviticus 26:33-35 as a result of the covenant curses. The transformation from desolation to restoration is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness and redemptive plan.

They had been brought out from the nations,
This emphasizes the divine act of gathering the exiles, a recurring theme in the prophetic books. It underscores God's covenant faithfulness and His promise to restore Israel. This act of gathering is seen as a miraculous event, fulfilling prophecies like Jeremiah 31:10 and Ezekiel 11:17.

and all now dwell securely.
The security mentioned here is indicative of a divinely ordained peace, contrasting with Israel's historical experiences of conflict and invasion. This security is often associated with the Messianic age, where peace and safety are promised under the reign of the Messiah, as seen in Micah 4:4 and Zechariah 14:11. This phrase can also be seen as a type of the ultimate peace found in Christ, who offers spiritual security to His followers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Gog
A leader or figure representing a coalition of nations that will come against Israel in the latter days.

2. Israel
The land and people of Israel, central to God's redemptive plan, restored and gathered from many nations.

3. Mountains of Israel
Symbolic of the land of Israel, which had been desolate but is now inhabited and secure.

4. Nations
Various peoples from whom the Israelites have been gathered, representing the global dispersion and regathering of the Jewish people.

5. Latter Years
A prophetic time frame indicating the end times or a future period in God's plan.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in History
God orchestrates the events of history, including the regathering of Israel and the future conflicts they will face.

The Faithfulness of God's Promises
The restoration of Israel from desolation to security demonstrates God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Preparation for End Times
Believers should be aware of the signs of the times and live in readiness for the fulfillment of God's prophetic word.

Security in God's Plan
Despite the threats and challenges, God's people can dwell securely, trusting in His ultimate protection and purpose.

The Global Scope of God's Redemption
The gathering of Israel from many nations highlights God's redemptive plan for all peoples and His desire for unity in His kingdom.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 38:8?

2. How does Ezekiel 38:8 relate to God's sovereignty over historical events?

3. What does "gathered from many nations" reveal about God's plan for Israel?

4. How can Ezekiel 38:8 inspire trust in God's promises today?

5. Connect Ezekiel 38:8 with other prophecies about Israel's restoration.

6. How should believers prepare for future fulfillment of Ezekiel 38:8?

7. What is the significance of "the latter years" in Ezekiel 38:8 for end-times prophecy?

8. How does Ezekiel 38:8 relate to the modern state of Israel?

9. Who are the "many peoples" mentioned in Ezekiel 38:8, and what do they represent?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 38?

11. What role does Russia play in biblical prophecy?

12. What is the battle involving Gog and Magog?

13. If Ezekiel 38 describes events yet to come, why is there no clear archaeological or historical precedent for such a massive, unified attack on Israel?

14. What is the order of the Bible's books?
What Does Ezekiel 38:8 Mean
After a long time you will be summoned.

• Ezekiel lets us know that a lengthy gap exists between the prophet’s day and the fulfillment of this vision.

• God Himself is the One doing the summoning (Ezekiel 38:4, 16), underscoring His sovereignty over history (Isaiah 46:9-10).

• This delay shows the patience of the Lord who works out His purposes across generations (2 Peter 3:8-9).

• The “you” is Gog, leader of a northern coalition (Ezekiel 38:2-6). While centuries have rolled by since Ezekiel wrote, the invitation to move against restored Israel will come right on God’s timetable.


In the latter years you will enter a land that has recovered from war,

• “Latter years” points to the closing chapter of human history before Messiah’s kingdom (Daniel 10:14; Revelation 20:7-9).

• The land has “recovered from war,” indicating previous conflicts have ended and rebuilding has taken place (Ezekiel 36:8-11).

• Modern Israel’s rebirth after repeated wars offers a striking present-day picture of this recovery, though the ultimate fulfillment awaits the exact scenario God describes.


whose people were gathered from many nations

• The regathering of Jews from every corner of the globe is a major prophetic theme (Ezekiel 36:24; Isaiah 11:12; Jeremiah 31:8).

• Since 1948 Jews have returned from more than 150 countries, a literal foretaste of this promise.

• God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham guarantees that the scattered ones will find their way home (Genesis 17:7-8; Romans 11:25-29).


to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate.

• The “mountains of Israel” cover the central highlands—historic heartland of the patriarchs (Joshua 11:16-17).

• Centuries of exile left these hills largely barren, fulfilling Deuteronomy 29:23. Yet the same God promised they would blossom again (Ezekiel 36:33-36).

• Present green terraces and thriving communities in those very mountains preview the ultimate restoration God foresaw.


They had been brought out from the nations, and all now dwell securely.

• The verse highlights security, not absolute peace. Israel lives with formidable defenses that give a sense of safety (Ezekiel 38:11; Zechariah 2:4-5).

• God Himself is the real source of that security, having pledged, “I will be their God, and they will be My people” (Ezekiel 37:27).

• The confidence Israel enjoys will embolden Gog to launch his invasion, mistakenly believing the nation to be an easy target (Ezekiel 38:14-16).


summary

Ezekiel 38:8 paints a prophetic snapshot of end-time Israel: a people miraculously regathered after centuries of desolation, living with renewed prosperity and relative safety in their ancient mountains. At God’s appointed moment, He will summon Gog to come against this restored land, setting the stage for the Lord to vindicate His name before the nations. The verse reassures believers that every detail of God’s plan unfolds on schedule, proving His Word both accurate and literal.

(8) After many days thou shalt be visited.--This clause has been variously interpreted. The expression "after many days" is the common one to indicate that what is predicted is yet far in the future, and corresponds to the "latter years" of the next clause. The words "thou shalt be visited" are the usual form of expressing a coming judgment. Various ingenious attempts have been made, with no great success, to give the words a different sense here. The supposed difficulty arises from not observing that the whole course of Gog is here viewed together as a single transaction. It is not merely his ultimate destruction, but the steps which led to it, his hostile attacks upon the Church, which are represented as brought about under God's providence and forming a part of the visitation upon him. It is as if one spoke now of a man's whole career of sin as a Divine visitation upon the sinner in consequence of his neglect of proffered grace, instead of speaking only of his ultimate punishment.

The land.--Rather, a land. Judaea had been long desolated, but was now restored. The word people here, as in Ezekiel 38:6, is in the plural and marks the gathering back, not from one, but from many quarters.

Always waste.--Literally, continually waste. The mountains of Israel had been by no means always waste, but during the period of the captivity had been so constantly. Yet the word is commonly used for a relatively long period, for which the time of the captivity seems too short. It may therefore, with the dispersion among "many peoples" of the previous clause, indicate the time of the later and longer continued dispersion of the Jews. In the last clause "shall dwell" is not to be taken as a future, but as a description of the existing condition of the people.

Verse 8. - After many days thou halt be visited. The principal controversy raised by these words is as to whether they signify, as Hitzig, Fairbairn, and Kliefoth suppose, that after many days Gog should be entrusted with the command of the aforementioned nations, or, as Ewald, Hengstenberg, Keil, Schroder, Plumptre, and Currey translate, that Gog, who intended to visit Israel, should himself be visited, in the sense of being punished. In support of the former rendering appeal is taken to Nehemiah 7:1; Nehemiah 12:44; and Jeremiah 15:3; but the verb פָםקד when used in this sense is commonly followed by עַל with the accusative of that or those with reference to which or whom the appointment is made or commission issued, and in addition no such commission with reference to these other nations was ever given by God to Gog. In vindication of the second meaning of the words, Isaiah 24:22 and Isaiah 29:6 are ordinarily quoted: while in answer to the objection that it is too soon to talk of punishment for an offense not yet committed, it is customary to reply that, as Jehovah's stirring up of Gog was the first step towards his ultimate overthrow, that stirring up might fairly be described as at least the beginning of his judicial visitation. Havernick's translation, "For a long time thou wilt be missed," i.e. considered as a people that has utterly vanished," is forced; Smend's is better, "After many days thou shalt be mustered," or numbered. In any case Gog's first movement should take place in the latter years; literally, at the end of the years - a frequent prophetic phrase (see Genesis 49:1; Numbers 24:14; Isaiah 2:2; Daniel 10:14; Micah 4:1), here denoting the Messianic era, and should assume the form of an invasion of the land of Israel, which is next described by a threefold characterization.

(1) As a land brought back from the sword, not in the sense of its people having been made to desist from war, through being henceforth peacefully inclined (comp. Isaiah 2:4; Micah 2:8), or of their having ceased to expect war, because of living ever after securely (ver. 11), but in that of having been recovered from its devastations (Ezekiel 6:3-5);

(2) as a land whose inhabitants had been gathered out of many nations - a phrase, which while starting from and including the return from Babylon, manifestly looked beyond that event to the wider dispersion of Israel that should precede the final ingathering; and

(3) as a land whose mountains had been always waste; literally, for a waste continually. If such was their condition prior to the return from captivity, it is undeniable that such has practically been their condition ever since, and such it is likely to continue to be, until the final ingathering of the dispersed of Israel.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
After a long
רַבִּים֮ (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

time
מִיָּמִ֣ים (mî·yā·mîm)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

you will be summoned.
תִּפָּקֵד֒ (tip·pā·qêḏ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

In the last
בְּאַחֲרִ֨ית (bə·’a·ḥă·rîṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 319: The last, end, the future, posterity

years
הַשָּׁנִ֜ים (haš·šā·nîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8141: A year

you will enter
תָּב֣וֹא ׀ (tā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

a land
אֶ֣רֶץ ׀ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

brought back
מְשׁוֹבֶ֣בֶת (mə·šō·w·ḇe·ḇeṯ)
Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

from war
מֵחֶ֗רֶב (mê·ḥe·reḇ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

and regathered
מְקֻבֶּ֙צֶת֙ (mə·qub·be·ṣeṯ)
Verb - Pual - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 6908: To gather, collect

from many
רַבִּ֔ים (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

peoples
מֵעַמִּ֣ים (mê·‘am·mîm)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

to
עַ֚ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the mountains
הָרֵ֣י (hā·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

which
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

had long
תָּמִ֑יד (tā·mîḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 8548: Continuance, constant, ellipt, the regular, sacrifice

been
הָי֥וּ (hā·yū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

desolate.
לְחָרְבָּ֖ה (lə·ḥā·rə·bāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2723: Waste, desolation, ruin

They
וְהִיא֙ (wə·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

had been brought out
הוּצָ֔אָה (hū·ṣā·’āh)
Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

from the nations,
מֵעַמִּ֣ים (mê·‘am·mîm)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and all
כֻּלָּֽם׃ (kul·lām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

now dwell
וְיָשְׁב֥וּ (wə·yā·šə·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

securely.
לָבֶ֖טַח (lā·ḇe·ṭaḥ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 983: A place of refuge, safety, safely


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 38:8 After many days you shall be visited: (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 38:7
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