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Ezekiel 38:4

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 38:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and I will turn thee about, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and I will turn thee about, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords;
Ezekiel 38:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 38

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
2Son of man, set thy face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,
3and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal:
4and I will turn thee about, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords;
5Persia, Cush, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet;
6Gomer, and all his hordes; the house of Togarmah in the uttermost parts of the north, and all his hordes; even many peoples with thee.
7Be thou prepared, yea, prepare thyself, thou, and all thy companies that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.
← Ezekiel 38:3Ezekiel 38:5 →
← Full Chapter 38 Ezekiel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, &c.] Or, I will put hooks in thy jaws, and with them turn thee back; or rather, “turn thee about”f650; and lead thee where and as I please; for this is not to be understood of God’s putting hooks into his jaws, and leading him back from his enterprise of invading the land of Judea; as he put a hook in the nose and a bridle in the lips of the king of Assyria, and brought him back from Jerusalem, (<233729>Isaiah 37:29), but of his using him thus in his providence to draw him to the land of Israel, out of his own land, as fishes are drawn with the hook out of the water. The sense is, that he would so work upon and influence the heart of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“turn thee back--as a refractory wild beast, which thinks to take its own way, but is bent by a superior power to turn on a course which must end in its destruction. Satan shall be, by overruling Providence, permitted to deceive them to their ruin (Rev 20:7-8). hooks into thy jaws-- (Eze 29:4; Kg2 19:28).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“With all sorts - Or, “gorgeously;” see the marginal reference. Omit “of armor.” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Handling swords - That is, very ready, expert and strong in using the sword. Ezekiel 38:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“38:4 Gog’s rebellion would be under God’s complete control. Though they would regard themselves as free-willed aggressors, they would actually be prisoners with hooks in their jaws (cp. 29:4).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I will turn: Eze 29:4, Eze 39:2; Kg2 19:28; Isa 37:29 horses: Eze 38:15; Dan 11:40 all of them: Eze 23:12 handling: Ch1 12:8; Ch2 25:5; Jer 46:9 Ezekiel 38:5”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification