Ezekiel 38:3

and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — God speaks through Ezekiel to deliver a direct prophetic declaration against Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, immediately after commanding the prophet to set his face toward this figure.

The words — The formula כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה (koh 'a.Mar 'a.do.Nai Yah.weh) literally renders "thus says the Lord Yahweh," while הִנֵּנִי אֵלֶיךָ (hi.Ni 'e.Lei.kha) states "behold I am against you."

The thread — This divine confrontation formula runs in Ezekiel 13:8, Ezekiel 29:3, and Ezekiel 35:3, where God similarly declares opposition against false prophets, Pharaoh, and Mount Seir.

Why it lands — It demands recognition of God's sovereign authority to judge specific enemies, requiring the reader to accept the prophetic warning as a factual declaration rather than a metaphorical threat.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְאָ֣מַרְתָּ֔ve./'A.mar.taand/ you will say כֹּ֥הkohthus אָמַ֖ר'a.Marhe says אֲדֹנָ֣י'a.do.Nai[the] Lord יְהוִ֑הYah.wehYahweh הִנְנִ֤יhi./Nihere/ I אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙'e.Lei./kha[am] against/ you גּ֔וֹגGogO Gog נְשִׂ֕יאne.Si'[the] prince of רֹ֖אשׁrosh[the] head of מֶ֥שֶׁךְMe.shekhMeshech וְתֻבָֽל׃ve./tu.Valand/ Tubal

King James Version

And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:

Cross-references

Ezekiel 13:8 Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have uttered vain words and seen false visions, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD.
Ezekiel 29:3 Speak to him and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies among his rivers, who says, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it myself.’
Ezekiel 35:3 and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Mount Seir. I will stretch out My hand against you and make you a desolate waste.
Ezekiel 39:1 “As for you, O son of man, prophesy against Gog and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.