Who are the "many peoples" mentioned in Ezekiel 38:15? Immediate Context: The Previously-Named Coalition (Ezekiel 38:1–6) Before verse 15, the Spirit lists by name Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer, Beth-Togarmah, Meshech, Tubal, and the core leader Magog under Gog. These are the first, definable layer of the “many peoples.” Verse 15, however, broadens the scope beyond that catalog, signaling that the confederation is larger than the eight names already supplied. Biblical Canonical Link: The Table of Nations (Genesis 10) Every ethnic name in Ezekiel 38 can be traced to the post-Flood dispersion list in Genesis 10: • Magog, Gomer, Meshech, Tubal—from Japheth (Genesis 10:2) • Cush, Put—from Ham (Genesis 10:6) • Persia (Elam)—from Shem (Genesis 10:22) Thus “many peoples” means a multi-branch coalition drawing from all three sons of Noah, graphically portraying a global revolt against the God of Israel. Historical-Geographical Identification Magog—Scythian steppe regions north of the Black & Caspian Seas (7th-5th cent. BC Assyrian annals: “Gugu mat Magugu”). Meshech—Mushki of highland Anatolia (Kültepe tablets, 19th cent. BC). Tubal—Tabal of central Anatolia (Tiglath-Pileser I annals). Gomer—Cimmerians bordering Magog, mentioned by Esarhaddon. Beth-Togarmah—Armenian highlands (Luwian “Tarkurama”). Persia—Achaemenid Pars, modern Iran (Behistun inscription). Cush—Upper Nile region (Egyptian stelae call it “Kush”). Put—Libya (Neo-Assyrian prism of Esarhaddon, “Pu-ta”). These identifications are well-attested across the Masoretic Text, Septuagint, Dead Sea Scroll fragment 4QEz a, and contemporary archaeology, showing textual stability. Archaeological Corroboration of a Pan-National Motif 1. Neo-Babylonian “Etemenanki Cylinder” enumerates conscripts “from the upper sea to the lower sea,” mirroring Ezekiel’s language of a far-spanning force. 2. Fifth-century-BC Greek historian Herodotus records combined Scythian, Median, and Anatolian forces against Babylon—an ancient precedent of mixed northern armies. 3. The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III depicts tribute from Mushki, Tabal, and Persia collectively—proof that such alliances were politically plausible. Parallels in Other Prophetic Texts • Zechariah 14:2—“I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem for battle.” • Joel 3:2—“I will assemble all the nations …” • Revelation 20:8—Satan “will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle.” Together these passages affirm that Gog’s hordes typify an end-time, globe-wide coalition, not merely regional tribes. Theological Significance “Many peoples” foreshadows the eschatological clash between the redeemed remnant of Israel (and grafted-in believers, cf. Romans 11:17) and a world united in opposition to Yahweh. The multiplicity of nations heightens God’s glory when He alone routs them without human aid (Ezekiel 38:22–23). Practical and Apologetic Implications 1. Global Opposition: Expect ideological hostility from “many peoples” today; the prophecy forecasts it. 2. Evangelistic Urgency: Multitudes are presently deceived into Gog-like rebellion. Christ’s resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) alone liberates them. 3. Assurance of God’s Sovereignty: Though the coalition appears overwhelming, “the LORD will be King over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:9). Concise Answer The “many peoples” in Ezekiel 38:15 are the wider multitude of nations beyond the eight specifically named earlier in the chapter—drawn from every branch of Noah’s descendants, historically traceable to Scythian, Anatolian, Persian, African, and other spheres—forming a final, global confederacy under Gog that God will decisively judge. |
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