And come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north …: When Gog notices that the Israelites are feeling safe, he will realize that this is his chance to attack them. Come from your place means he will come from his country to attack them. This phrase may be rendered “leave your homeland” or “depart from your kingdom.” For the uttermost parts of the north, see Ezek 38.6.

You and many peoples with you: See Ezek 38.6.

All of them riding on horses: This is the first time we are told that Gog’s whole army will be “on horseback” (Good News Translation). For horses see Ezek 38.4.

A great host, a mighty army: See Ezek 38.4. Good News Translation expresses these two phrases as “a large powerful army of soldiers,” and New Century Version has “a large group with you, a mighty army.”

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .