Lexical Summary shasha: To delight, to enjoy, to take pleasure Original Word: שָׁשָׁא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance annihilate -- leave by the sixth partA primitive root; apparently, to annihilate -- leave by the sixth part (by confusion with shashah). see HEBREW shashah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition probably to lead on NASB Translation drive (1). Topical Lexicon Scriptural Usage Ezekiel 39:2 furnishes the only appearance of שָׁשָׁא: “I will turn you around, drive you on, and bring you up from the remotest parts of the north; I will bring you against the mountains of Israel.”. The term rendered “drive you on” depicts forceful compulsion; the invader advances not by its own strategy but because God presses it forward. Context within Ezekiel’s Prophecy of Gog Ezekiel 38–39 portrays a massive northern coalition under Gog that invades Israel in “the latter years.” Four rapid verbs mark the movement: “turn,” “drive on” (שָׁשָׁא), “bring up,” and “lead in.” The second verb is pivotal: God propels Gog like a shepherd prodding reluctant livestock. The same chapter quickly narrates Gog’s downfall on “the mountains of Israel” (Ezekiel 39:4), showing that the One who drives also destroys. Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty over Human Ambition שָׁשָׁא emphasizes that even hostile powers march only under God’s directive (Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 4:35). History’s turns are governed from heaven, not from thrones or war rooms. 2. Judging Evil by Its Own Designs God’s action does not seduce Gog into sin but harnesses existing arrogance for righteous judgment, echoing the pattern seen with Pharaoh (Exodus 9:12) and Assyria (Isaiah 10:5–7). 3. Covenant Vindication and Global Witness By compelling Gog to a fatal rendezvous, God sanctifies His name: “Then the nations will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 39:6–7). שָׁשָׁא serves the wider purpose of vindicating divine faithfulness to Israel. Historical and Eschatological Significance Historically, proposals for Gog range from ancient northern enemies to future alliances. Whatever the identification, שָׁשָׁא highlights that world events, past or future, unfold under God’s hand. Revelation 20:7–9 mirrors Ezekiel’s vision: an end-time gathering of rebel nations that advances only because God permits it, before swift destruction. In both scenes, the verb’s concept—forced movement toward judgment—reappears. Ministry Reflections • Confidence amid Global Upheaval Believers may rest in the assurance that no enemy outmaneuvers God; He can “drive on” any aggressor exactly as He wills. • Call to Watchful Holiness Because the Lord orchestrates even hostile movements toward His climactic purposes, the Church lives alert and pure (2 Peter 3:11–12). • Evangelistic Urgency Ezekiel’s outcome—nations recognizing the LORD—motivates proclamation of the gospel today so that people will willingly acknowledge the sovereignty that Gog will learn through judgment. Related Parallels Isaiah 37:29 – God turns Assyria back with “hook” and “bit.” Ezekiel 38:4 – Similar hooks imagery as God turns Gog. Psalm 2:1–6; Proverbs 19:21 – Human plotting versus divine decree. Revelation 17:17 – God places His purpose in the hearts of kings. Though שָׁשָׁא appears only once, its single use vividly portrays the absolute governance of God, who can steer the mightiest armies to the very place of their downfall, thereby glorifying His name and securing His people. Forms and Transliterations וְשִׁשֵּׁאתִ֔יךָ וששאתיך veshishsheTicha wə·šiš·šê·ṯî·ḵā wəšiššêṯîḵāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 39:2 HEB: וְשֹׁבַבְתִּ֙יךָ֙ וְשִׁשֵּׁאתִ֔יךָ וְהַעֲלִיתִ֖יךָ מִיַּרְכְּתֵ֣י NAS: and I will turn you around, drive you on, take KJV: And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up INT: will turn drive take the remotest 1 Occurrence |
    |