Re: Ezekiel 36 and the Mountains of Israel.
The point has arrived in this discussion to rely only on what the Hebrew text
alone says about the direction of pulling of the "hooks," which God is said to attach to the jaws of Gog. The pertinent questions are, “Does God pull the invaders into Israel, or does he hook then up after they are in Israel, and yank them out.” Are they pulled into Israel unwittingly, or could it be with the kind of glee which Moslems traditionally employ when attacking Jews?
This is where we take a closer look at Ezekiel 38:4. The point is an important one, because the question has been raised as to whether Islam’s traditional enmity could be the causa bellum, or "cause for war" in this case, and whether that formulation might be dishonest or unbiblical.
At the beginning of the action the verse opens with “And I will turn you back.” The next English phrase contained in three Hebrew words say, “And I will put hooks in your jaws.” The next English phrase contained in two Hebrew words says “And I will bring you out (extricate you)
Before each verb in each of these phrases there is what is known as a “Vav consecutive,” translated as “and,” in English. The “ands” underline the time sequence of the action: there are other devices in Hebrew to indicate the sense of simultaneous or concurrent actions, to which we may attach the sense of “while” in English, or employ the participial “ing” ending and sense of verbs. But here, first, second, third time sequences are emphasized.
Here again is the order
And I will turn thee back (or reverse you)
And I will put hooks in thy jaws
And I will bring you out (extricate you)
The text does not say anywhere that God’s hook will be used to drag Gog in toward Israel: the hook is used to violently pull Gog out: the hooks are attached after the forceful reversal of direction of Gog. Nor does it say that the hook is some kind of high-smelling bait. Also the reason for going in is explained in the way that is outlined in verses 11 and 12 of Ezekiel 38, which is probably the belligerent historic expression and animosity of Arabs--combined with their desire to plunder Israel--put into action. They are not forced or pulled in, in any unusual way
Only after Gog’s direction of travel is reversed out from Israel ( could be by eruptions in nature, or angelic intervention--or whatever ( the text does not say) does God attach His “hooks” to the Jaws, and make the exit very painful. He does not allow Gog to retreat in peace and good order.
I would appreciate it if this interpretation of the first part of Ezekiel 38:4 can be proven to be incorrect. I will pass it before a relative of mine who is attending university in Israel. In the meantime, would one or two of you seminary students out there, please check my interpretaion of the timing of events, in the light of the force of the vav consecutives in this case, with your language professor?
The point has arrived in this discussion to rely only on what the Hebrew text
alone says about the direction of pulling of the "hooks," which God is said to attach to the jaws of Gog. The pertinent questions are, “Does God pull the invaders into Israel, or does he hook then up after they are in Israel, and yank them out.” Are they pulled into Israel unwittingly, or could it be with the kind of glee which Moslems traditionally employ when attacking Jews?
This is where we take a closer look at Ezekiel 38:4. The point is an important one, because the question has been raised as to whether Islam’s traditional enmity could be the causa bellum, or "cause for war" in this case, and whether that formulation might be dishonest or unbiblical.
At the beginning of the action the verse opens with “And I will turn you back.” The next English phrase contained in three Hebrew words say, “And I will put hooks in your jaws.” The next English phrase contained in two Hebrew words says “And I will bring you out (extricate you)
Before each verb in each of these phrases there is what is known as a “Vav consecutive,” translated as “and,” in English. The “ands” underline the time sequence of the action: there are other devices in Hebrew to indicate the sense of simultaneous or concurrent actions, to which we may attach the sense of “while” in English, or employ the participial “ing” ending and sense of verbs. But here, first, second, third time sequences are emphasized.
Here again is the order
And I will turn thee back (or reverse you)
And I will put hooks in thy jaws
And I will bring you out (extricate you)
The text does not say anywhere that God’s hook will be used to drag Gog in toward Israel: the hook is used to violently pull Gog out: the hooks are attached after the forceful reversal of direction of Gog. Nor does it say that the hook is some kind of high-smelling bait. Also the reason for going in is explained in the way that is outlined in verses 11 and 12 of Ezekiel 38, which is probably the belligerent historic expression and animosity of Arabs--combined with their desire to plunder Israel--put into action. They are not forced or pulled in, in any unusual way
Only after Gog’s direction of travel is reversed out from Israel ( could be by eruptions in nature, or angelic intervention--or whatever ( the text does not say) does God attach His “hooks” to the Jaws, and make the exit very painful. He does not allow Gog to retreat in peace and good order.
I would appreciate it if this interpretation of the first part of Ezekiel 38:4 can be proven to be incorrect. I will pass it before a relative of mine who is attending university in Israel. In the meantime, would one or two of you seminary students out there, please check my interpretaion of the timing of events, in the light of the force of the vav consecutives in this case, with your language professor?
Comment