The War of Ezekiel 38–39 or The War of Gog and Magog is an episode in the Book of Ezekiel.
The Book of Ezekiel was written in the first half of the 6th century BC by Ezekiel, a former priest of the Temple in Jerusalem. Ezekiel lived through the traumatic events of the early 6th century BC which saw Jerusalem fall to the Babylonians, the Temple of Solomon destroyed, and many Israelites, himself included, carried off into captivity. The book explains these events as God's punishments for Israel's sins and lack of faith. In chapter 37, the vision of the "valley of dry bones", Ezekiel at last assures the captives in Babylon that they will return from exile.[1] Chapters 38–39 then tell how Gog of Magog (meaning "Gog from the Land of Gog") and his hordes from the north will threaten the restored Israel, but will be destroyed by God.[2] Then, following the defeat of Gog, God will establish a new Temple where he will dwell forever with his people (chapters 40-48).[3] The underlying theological message is that even so fearsome an enemy as this is ultimately under the control of the God of Israel, since it is God himself who says to Gog, "I will bring you against my land."[4]