Original Word: מָגוֹג
Part of Speech: Proper Name
Transliteration: Magowg
Pronunciation: mah-GOHG
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-gogue')
KJV: Magog
NASB: Magog
Word Origin: [from H1463 (גּוֹג - Gog)]

1. Magog, a son of Japheth
2. also a barbarous northern region

Magog

From Gowg; Magog, a son of Japheth; also a barbarous northern region -- Magog.

see HEBREW Gowg

Word Origin
from the same as Gog
Definition
perhaps "land of Gog," a son of Japheth, also his desc. and their land
NASB Translation
Magog (4).

מָגוֺג proper name, of a territory (= land of Gog? compare Dl^{Pa 246} Len^{Or ii. 1, 465}) — Ezekiel 38:2; Ezekiel 39:6; in Genesis 10:2 = 1 Chronicles 1:5 a son of Japhet, בְּנֵי יֶפֶת גֹּמֶר וּמָגוֺג וּמָדַי וְיָוָן וְתֻבָ֑ל וּמֶשֶׁךְ וְתִירָס; = Scythians? compare Jos^{Ant. i. 6}. 1; Lag^{Ges. Abh. 158} refers name to mountainous region between Cappadocia and Media; compare Di Genesis 10:2, Kiep^{MBAk Feb. 1889, 207} (North & East Armenia), Len (Southeast Armenia), see especially Len^{Or ii. 1, 412-476}.

Genealogical Background

Magog first appears in the Table of Nations: “The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras” (Genesis 10:2; 1 Chronicles 1:5). As a personal name, Magog designates a patriarchal ancestor whose descendants settled north of the Middle East. Scripture presents this lineage as historical, establishing Magog among the founding peoples after the flood and providing the backdrop for later prophetic references.

Geographical Associations

Biblical orientation places Magog in the far north relative to Israel (Ezekiel 38:15; 39:2). Extra-biblical writers such as Josephus link Magog to the Scythians, a nomadic confederation inhabiting territories around the Black and Caspian Seas. The northern setting harmonizes with Ezekiel’s repeated description of enemy forces arriving “from the uttermost parts of the north,” reinforcing the picture of Magog as a distant, formidable power.

Role in Ezekiel’s Oracles

In Ezekiel 38–39, Magog shifts from a people group to a territorial designation—“the land of Magog.” The prophet hears God command: “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; prophesy against him” (Ezekiel 38:2). Gog is a personal leader; Magog is his homeland. The narrative culminates with divine judgment: “I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they shall know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 39:6). Thus, Magog functions as the staging ground for a multinational assault against Israel and as the object of God’s retributive action.

Prophetic and Eschatological Significance

1. Near-term fulfillment: Ezekiel’s audience, exiled in Babylon, receives assurance that any future invasion led from Magog will be divinely crushed, guaranteeing Israel’s restoration.
2. Ultimate consummation: Revelation 20:8 broadens the symbol to “Gog and Magog,” representing the final coalition of evil opposed to Christ’s kingdom. The New Testament allusion presupposes the reality of Magog in Ezekiel, indicating continuity between Testaments.
3. Typological pattern: The recurring theme—an enemy amassed from the remote north, judged by fire—underscores God’s sovereign defense of His covenant people and anticipates the ultimate defeat of Satan’s forces.

Theological Themes

• Divine Sovereignty: God summons, directs, and destroys Magog’s armies, displaying rule over nations and history.
• Covenant Faithfulness: The promised judgment on Magog validates God’s unwavering commitment to Israel despite her exile.
• Universal Recognition: The phrase “they shall know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 39:6) reveals a missionary purpose; God’s acts toward Magog aim at the global acknowledgment of His name.
• Eschatological Hope: The downfall of Magog prefigures the eradication of evil, encouraging believers to persevere, knowing history ends in God’s victory.

Intertextual Considerations

• Magog’s inclusion in both genealogical records and prophetic visions anchors future prophecy in past history, illustrating Scripture’s integrated narrative.
• The transition from personal ancestor (Genesis) to geopolitical entity (Ezekiel) models how biblical revelation often enlarges earlier data without contradiction.
• Revelation 20:8’s usage confirms that Old Testament prophecy supplies the vocabulary and imagery for New Testament eschatology.

Practical Applications for Ministry

1. Preaching and Teaching: Magog’s account provides a case study in tracing biblical themes from Genesis to Revelation, demonstrating the coherence of God’s plan.
2. Apologetics: The predictive accuracy of Ezekiel’s oracle—foreseeing a northern confederacy centuries before Christ—supports confidence in the prophetic word.
3. Pastoral Care: By portraying God’s decisive victory over Magog, Ezekiel offers comfort to believers facing present hostility, reminding them that opposition is temporary and under divine control.
4. Missions: The repeated objective “that they may know” compels the church to proclaim the gospel, anticipating the day when every nation will recognize the Lord Jesus Christ.

בְּמָג֔וֹג במגוג הַמָּג֔וֹג המגוג וּמָג֔וֹג ומגוג bə·mā·ḡō·wḡ bemaGog bəmāḡōwḡ ham·mā·ḡō·wḡ hammaGog hammāḡōwḡ ū·mā·ḡō·wḡ umaGog ūmāḡōwḡInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts