Μαγώγ

Magṓg

G3098 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Magog; a personal and geographic name referring, in biblical tradition, to a descendant of Japheth and the territory or people associated with him. In Greek contexts, especially the Septuagint and apocalyptic literature, Magōg designates a far-northern nation or people, sometimes depicted as hostile or eschatological antagonists.

Semantic Range

personal name; ancestor or progenitor of a people; geographic region or group (traditionally northern); collective for hostile nation(s) in eschatological visions; symbolic adversary in apocalyptic contexts

Root / Etymology

Borrowed directly from Hebrew מָגוֹג (Magog), a personal name in Genesis; etymology uncertain beyond its Hebrew origin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Μαγώγ appears in the Septuagint as the name of a descendant of Japheth (Genesis 10:2; 1 Chronicles 1:5) and geographic locale or people located far north of Israel. In Ezekiel (38–39), Magōg is depicted as the homeland ruled by Gog, leader of a confederation attacking restored Israel, imbuing the name with eschatological and hostile connotations. In later apocalyptic Jewish and early Christian literature (including Revelation 20:8), Magōg is employed symbolically for nations opposing God at the end of days. The use of Μαγώγ is tied to imagery of 'the ends of the earth' or distant peoples. While traditional English translations sometimes retain 'Magog' as a proper name, they may also treat the term more abstractly (e.g., a people or hostile confederation), which can miss the blend of ethnogeographic and eschatological overtones in Greek usage. The term never refers to an 'Antichristian party' in original sources but is used more broadly for enemies or nations in a final conflict.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin (מָגוֹג); Magog, a foreign nation, i.e. (figuratively) an Antichristian party:--Magog.

Root Family

Μαγώγ (Magōg) — Magog, distant nation, ancestral figure, northern people

Root Μαγώγ Magog (personal and territorial name), a distant nation or people

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3098-01 Μαγώγ magog N ACC M SG Magog Magog Magog 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3098-01 Revelation 20:8 Μαγώγ magog N ACC M SG Magog Magog Magog