Is Magog really in Russia? When we look at the ancient atlas for Magog, you cannot find it
located in Russia. Only recent atlas have Magog in Russia and most of them have been made
by Christians trying to prove that the word 'chief' in Ezekiel 38:2 is the root word for Russia.
Some Bible translations even go as far as translating 'chief to Russia,' but in order to do that
you have to ignore true translation factors.
Eze 38:2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of
Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,
ראשׁ
rô'sh
BDB Definition:
1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning
1a) head (of man, animals)
1b) top, tip (of mountain)
1c) height (of stars)
1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)
1e) head, front, beginning
1f) chief, choicest, best
1g) head, division, company, band
1h) sum
The word Rus referred to a group of people in the ninth to the twelfth century and
it's origins are more Finnish. According to one scholar: The term Rus is a Finnish term for the
Swedes, when the Vikings would come down the Dnieper from the Dvina.
According to research, the Russian's first came from the Baltic States and did not migrate up
from the Arab countries as some end time prophecy teacher make claims on.
Scholar: The Swedish Vikings that came down the river were originally called the Rus, and
this is where the name 'Russia' comes from. The exact origin of the name is obscure. In
Swedish, it means 'boatman.' Several Slavic languages spoken in the region have similar
words related to water.
located in Russia. Only recent atlas have Magog in Russia and most of them have been made
by Christians trying to prove that the word 'chief' in Ezekiel 38:2 is the root word for Russia.
Some Bible translations even go as far as translating 'chief to Russia,' but in order to do that
you have to ignore true translation factors.
Eze 38:2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of
Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,
ראשׁ
rô'sh
BDB Definition:
1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning
1a) head (of man, animals)
1b) top, tip (of mountain)
1c) height (of stars)
1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest)
1e) head, front, beginning
1f) chief, choicest, best
1g) head, division, company, band
1h) sum
The word Rus referred to a group of people in the ninth to the twelfth century and
it's origins are more Finnish. According to one scholar: The term Rus is a Finnish term for the
Swedes, when the Vikings would come down the Dnieper from the Dvina.
According to research, the Russian's first came from the Baltic States and did not migrate up
from the Arab countries as some end time prophecy teacher make claims on.
Scholar: The Swedish Vikings that came down the river were originally called the Rus, and
this is where the name 'Russia' comes from. The exact origin of the name is obscure. In
Swedish, it means 'boatman.' Several Slavic languages spoken in the region have similar
words related to water.
This is modern day Turkey and
according to Daniel 8:8 & Daniel 9:16,
you will find that Turkey is located in
both empires. Ever since the creation
of the Scofield Reference Bible, many
teachers have gone down this path
that Magog is Russia. The word Russia
didn't come into use until the 17th
century.
according to Daniel 8:8 & Daniel 9:16,
you will find that Turkey is located in
both empires. Ever since the creation
of the Scofield Reference Bible, many
teachers have gone down this path
that Magog is Russia. The word Russia
didn't come into use until the 17th
century.
The teaching that the root word for Russia comes from the ancient Aramaic or Hebrew
language: Taken from an article http://www.aletheiacollege.net/ld/d1.htm
I am aware that there are many reasons for thinking that rosh in Ez. 38:2 should be merely
translated “chief”. Basically, Ez. 38:3,4 has to be read one of two ways. Either it speaks of
“Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal”- or, it speaks of four entities: “Gog, Rosh, Meshech
and Tubal”. The issue is really resolved for us by considering a simple piece of grammar.
‘Thee’ in the KJV refers to ‘you singular’. And so clearly one, and not four, is being addressed
here: “I am against thee O Gog, chief prince of Meshech… I will turn thee back, and put
hooks into thy jaws”. It is a singular person or power being referred to, not a plural.
However, I would like to make a few comments about another possibility for locating rosh-
assuming for the moment that it is indeed to be read as an actual place name. The observation
that rosh and ‘Russia’ sound similar, so therefore they are the same place, is to my mind
altogether too primitive a way to interpret Scripture.
The writer of this article concludes that Magog is Iran and Iraq and clearly points out that
rosh is not Russia to which he does lay down a better foundation than the teaching of it being
Russia. I still have to go with Magog is in Turkey based on the factors in the book of Daniel. I
know that might seem primitive but we must let the word of God interpret it's self.
language: Taken from an article http://www.aletheiacollege.net/ld/d1.htm
I am aware that there are many reasons for thinking that rosh in Ez. 38:2 should be merely
translated “chief”. Basically, Ez. 38:3,4 has to be read one of two ways. Either it speaks of
“Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal”- or, it speaks of four entities: “Gog, Rosh, Meshech
and Tubal”. The issue is really resolved for us by considering a simple piece of grammar.
‘Thee’ in the KJV refers to ‘you singular’. And so clearly one, and not four, is being addressed
here: “I am against thee O Gog, chief prince of Meshech… I will turn thee back, and put
hooks into thy jaws”. It is a singular person or power being referred to, not a plural.
However, I would like to make a few comments about another possibility for locating rosh-
assuming for the moment that it is indeed to be read as an actual place name. The observation
that rosh and ‘Russia’ sound similar, so therefore they are the same place, is to my mind
altogether too primitive a way to interpret Scripture.
The writer of this article concludes that Magog is Iran and Iraq and clearly points out that
rosh is not Russia to which he does lay down a better foundation than the teaching of it being
Russia. I still have to go with Magog is in Turkey based on the factors in the book of Daniel. I
know that might seem primitive but we must let the word of God interpret it's self.
