Gog, (Heb. גּוֹג, Ant; Sept. and N.T. Γώγ, but Γούγ in 1 Chronicles 5:4; Vulg. Gog), the name of two men, but whether they have any connection is doubtful. It also occurs in the Samaritan and Sept. for AGAG, in Numbers 24:7, apparently for the sake of specialty, tradition (Mishna, Shabb. 118) making the Messianic time to be distinguished by an antecedent struggle with Gag, as the Apocalypse does the millennium. SEE HAMON-GOG.
As to the signification of Gog, it appears to mnean mountain, i.e. Caucasus (Persic koh, Ossetic ghogh, i.e., mountain; and even the classical name “Caucasus” originated in Koh-Kaf), since Caucasus was the chief seat of the Scythian people. The hardening of the last sound (h) into g (gog from koh) seems to have taken place early, and when the name had already become that of a people, the other names, Magog, Agag (Samaritan Agog, gentile Agagi, Phoenic. Agog) also arose. Another explanation from the Pehlvi koka, “moon” (see Grabschrift des Darius, page 64), because they prayed to the moon, is improbable. A Sheneitic etymology is also possible. From the reduplicated form גַּאגֵא (from the root גָּא, whence גָּג, a roof), in the sense of “to be high or overtopping,” גּוֹג might signify a mountain or summit (compare Arabic juju, breast of a ship, i.e., something heightened). Figuratively this stem would mean gigantic, great of stature, powerful, warlike (cognate with קִואּקִן of Isaiah 18:2); camp. Sanskrit kû, to be mighty, kavi (in the Vedas, Persic kav), king, modern Persian kay, warlike or valiant; in which sense the Amalekite name Ageg or Agog, the Heb. name Gog, and the Phoen. Agog in the story of Ogyges, may be taken. In
To continue reading this Bible article, click here.
Author: McClintock and Strong Cyclopedia
Keywords: Gog
Bible reference(s): 1 Chronicles 5:4, Ezekiel 38:23, Ezekiel 39:2, Isaiah 18:2, Numbers 24:7, Revelation 20:8
Source: John McClintock and James Strong, Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature.
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.