Ezekiel 38:8 Meaning and Explanation
“After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →After a long period, Gog will invade a restored and inhabited Israel that has been rebuilt from desolation.
The Context of Ezekiel 38:8
The invasion occurs when Israel has been restored and lives at peace.
What Does Ezekiel 38:8 Mean?
The timeline is given as 'latter years,' setting this event in the distant future. Israel will be a land 'brought back from the sword'—it will have recovered from earlier devastations and destruction. People will be gathered from many nations to inhabit it, suggesting restoration and regathering after exile.
The mountains of Israel, once waste and barren, will be inhabited and productive. Most significantly, the people will 'dwell safely'—they will have peace and security when the invasion comes, which makes the sudden assault all the more dramatic.
Ezekiel 38:8 in the Original Language
latter years (אַחֲרִית יָמִים, acharít yamím), 'end of days'—a common biblical phrase for future, eschatological time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 38:8
What does Ezekiel 38:8 mean?
After a long period, Gog will invade a restored and inhabited Israel that has been rebuilt from desolation.
What is the context of Ezekiel 38:8?
The invasion occurs when Israel has been restored and lives at peace.