Ezekiel 39:11 · Bible study
Ezekiel 39:11 Commentary: Gog’s Burial Place
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore Ezekiel 39:11: Gog’s burial in the valley east of the sea, its meaning, and why it stops travelers. Commentary and study.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God gives Gog a burial place in Israel’s valley east of the sea, which becomes a blocked road and a memorial named “multitude of Gog.”
- Key words: “Burial place,” “valley of the passengers,” “stop,” “Hamon Gog” (multitude of Gog).
- Main debate: Which sea is meant (Dead Sea vs. Sea of Galilee) and what “stop the noses” means (stench vs. blocked passage).
- Theological theme: God’s judgment and victory over evil, turning the enemy’s invasion into a public monument of defeat.
- Best use: Teaching God’s sovereignty and the certainty of His judgment, and encouraging hope that evil will not prevail.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
And on that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, the Valley of the Travelers, east of the Sea. It will block those who travel through, because Gog and all his hordes will be buried there. So it will be called the Valley of Hamon-gog.
WEB World English Bible 2000
“‘“It will happen in that day, that I will give to Gog a place for burial in Israel, the valley of those who pass through on the east of the sea; and it will stop those who pass through. They will bury Gog and all his multitude there, and they will call it ‘The valley of Hamon Gog’.
KJV King James Version 1769
And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamon–gog.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place for burial in Israel, the valley of them that pass through on the east of the sea; and it shall stop them that pass through: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude; and they shall call it The valley of Hamon-gog.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And it hath come to pass, in that day, I give to Gog a place there--a grave in Israel, the valley of those passing by, east of the sea, and it is stopping those passing by, and they have buried there Gog, and all his multitude, and have cried, O valley of the multitude of Gog!
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] I will give unto Gog a place there for burial in Israel, the valley of the passers-by to the east of the sea; and it shall stop [the way] of the passers-by; and there shall they bury Gog and all the multitude; and they shall call it, Valley of Hamon-Gog.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give Gog a noted place for a sepulchre in Israel: the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea, which shall cause astonishment in them that pass by: and there shall they bury Gog, and all his multitude, and it shall be called the valley of the multitude of Gog.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y será en aquel tiempo, que yo daré á Gog lugar para sepultura allí en Israel, el valle de los que pasan al oriente de la mar, y obstruirá el paso á los transeuntes, pues allí enterrarán á Gog y á toda su multitud: y lo llamarán, El valle de Hamón-gog.
E será naquele tempo, que ali darei a Gogue um lugar de sepultura em Israel, o vale dos que passam ao oriente do mar, e este será um obstáculo aos que passarem; e ali sepultarão a Gogue e a toda sua multidão; e o chamarão de “o vale da multidão de Gogue”.
En ce jour-là,
Und soll zu der Zeit geschehen, da will ich Gog einen Ort geben zum Begräbnis in Israel, nämlich das Tal, da man geht am Meer gegen Morgen, also daß die, so vorübergehen, sich davor scheuen werden, weil man daselbst Gog mit seiner Menge begraben hat; und soll heißen “ Gogs Haufental”.
En het zal te dien dage geschieden, dat Ik aan Gog aldaar een grafstede in Israel zal geven, het dal der doorgangers naar het oosten der zee; en datzelve zal den doorgangers den neus stoppen; en aldaar zullen zij begraven Gog en zijn ganse menigte, en zullen het noemen: Het dal van Gogs menigte.
In quel giorno, io darò a Gog un luogo che gli servirà di sepoltura in Israele, la Valle de’ viandanti, a oriente del mare; e quel sepolcro chiuderà la via ai viandanti; quivi sarà sepolto Gog con tutta la sua moltitudine; e quel luogo sarà chiamato la Valle d’Hamon-Gog.
I stanie się dnia onego, że dam Gogowi miejsce na grób, tam w Izraelu, dolinę, którędy chodzą na wschód słońca ku morzu, która zatka usta mimo idących; i pogrzebią tam Goga i wszystkie zgraje jego, a będą ją zwać doliną mnóstwa Gogowego;
И будет в тот день: дам Гогу место для могилы в Израиле, долину прохожих на восток от моря, и она будет задерживать прохожих; и похоронят там Гога и все полчище его, и будут называть ее долиною полчища Гогова.
「當 那 日，我必將以色列 地的谷，就是海 東 人所經過的谷，賜 給歌革 為墳 地，使 經過 的人到此 停步。在那裡 人必葬埋 歌革 和 他的群 眾，就稱那地為哈們‧歌革 谷。
And it will come about in those days, that I will give to Gog a last resting-place there in Israel, in the valley of Abarim on the east of the sea: and those who go through will be stopped: and there Gog and all his people will be put to rest, and the place will be named, The valley of Hamon-gog.
Verse in Context
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this verse depicts an ironic reversal: Gog, who invaded Israel seeking conquest, receives only a grave in the land. Barnes and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown identify the “sea” as the Dead Sea, while Gill and the Targum point to the Sea of Chinnereth (Galilee). Either way, the valley functioned as a major travel route from Syria to Egypt, as Clarke notes, making the judgment publicly visible. The phrase “stop the noses” (KJV) or “stop those who pass through” (WEB) is debated. Several commentators note that the Hebrew word for “stop” occurs only once elsewhere (Deuteronomy 25:4, where it means “muzzle”). Thus the valley may either block the road with corpses, or its stench forces travelers to cover their noses. The name Hamon Gog means “multitude of Gog,” a permanent memorial of God’s victory (Gill). The Cambridge Bible observes a wordplay on “passengers” in verses 11, 15, connecting the invaders, passers-by, and those appointed to search for bones. All traditions read the verse as a sign of divine judgment and the cleansing of the land.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Dead Sea interpretation: Barnes and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown point to the Dead Sea’s location east of Israel and its association with judgment (Sodom).
- Sea of Galilee interpretation: Gill, Clarke, and the Targum identify the sea as Chinnereth/Gennesaret, based on trade routes and the phrase 'east of the sea'.
- Blocked road interpretation: The valley fills with graves, stopping travel; supported by LXX reading 'build up the mouth of the valley' and the wordplay on 'passengers'.
- Stench interpretation: KJV and Geneva Bible read 'stop the noses'; the Hebrew verb can mean 'muzzle', suggesting covering the nose from decay.
What is clear: God grants Gog a burial place in Israel as a sign of defeat, the valley becomes a memorial named 'multitude of Gog', and the judgment is publicly visible to passers-by.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of the sea | The valley is east of a significant body of water in Israel (either the Dead Sea or the Sea of Galilee). | Barnes and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown identify it as the Dead Sea, citing its location and association with judgment. Gill and the Targum favor the Sea of Chinnereth (Galilee), based on ancient travel routes. |
| Meaning of 'stop the noses' / 'stop those who pass through' | The Hebrew verb occurs only once elsewhere (Deut 25:4, 'muzzle'), so the sense is disputed but clearly involves obstruction. | The KJV and Geneva Bible read it as travelers covering their noses because of the stench. The WEB, ASV, and many commentators take it as the valley being blocked by the multitude of graves, halting travel. |
| Historical referent of Gog | Gog represents an enemy coalition that attacks Israel and is destroyed by God. | Some interpreters see Gog as a specific historical figure (e.g., Antiochus Epiphanes, as Clarke notes), while others read it as an eschatological type fulfilled in Revelation 20:8-9. Both agree the passage depicts a decisive divine victory. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Ezekiel 38, 39 describes a final assault on Israel by Gog of Magog, a coalition from the far north. Chapter 39 details the aftermath: the weapons are burned for seven years (v.9), the land is cleansed, and the dead are buried. Verse 11 falls within that burial narrative. The valley “east of the sea” lies on a well-known trade artery. Clarke says it was the route merchants used from Syria and Babylon into Egypt, passing east of the Sea of Galilee. Wesley and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown place it east of the Dead Sea, near Sodom and Gomorrah, linking Gog’s judgment to those ancient warnings. The road’s public nature meant many travelers would witness the memorial, a deterrent against future hostility (Barnes).
The burial process is extraordinary: seven months of burying the slain (v.12), with teams of searchers marking bones for removal (v.14, 15). The valley name changes from “Valley of the Passengers” to “Valley of Hamon Gog” (multitude of Gog). This renaming echoes Hebrew practice of memorializing God’s acts (Numbers 11:34, Kibroth Hattaavah). The “passengers” wordplays multiply: the invading horde “passed through” the land, travelers “pass by” on the road, and appointed men “pass through” to search for remains (Cambridge Bible). The valley that once facilitated invasion now blocks movement, a physical testimony that God defends His people.
Some interpreters see a connection to the Dead Sea, a region already associated with divine judgment (Sodom and Gomorrah). Others prefer the Sea of Galilee, based on the Targum and the Greek name Gennesaret (Luke 5:1). Both locations underscore the public, unmistakable nature of God’s victory.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries note no significant textual variants in this verse. The Cambridge Bible observes that the Septuagint (LXX) reads “a place of renown (name)” for the Hebrew “a place there,” possibly reflecting an alternative Hebrew tradition. This variant does not materially change the meaning of the burial place. The phrase “stop the noses” is not supported by the LXX or Syriac, which instead read “and they shall build up the mouth of the valley round about.” This suggests early interpreters understood the valley as blocked, not stinking. No other variants are reported in the consulted sources.
Reception History
In early Jewish interpretation, the Targum identifies the valley as east of the Sea of Galilee, linking it to known geography. Christian interpreters from the Reformation onward (Calvin, Gill, Matthew Henry) treated the passage as a literal prophecy of God’s judgment on Israel’s enemies and a type of the final defeat of evil. In apocalyptic readings, especially after the Book of Revelation (20:8-9), Gog and Magog became symbols of the nations’ final rebellion, and this burial place was seen as a precursor to the lake of fire. The name “Hamon Gog” appears in some medieval maps as a legendary site. Modern scholarship focuses on the literary and theological function of the valley as a memorial and a means of cleansing the land, emphasizing God’s holiness and the restoration of Israel.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Irony of defeat: Gog sought to conquer Israel but receives only a grave. The very land he invaded becomes his burial plot (Gill). God grants him a place, but it is a place for the dead.
- Public testimony: The valley lies on a major travel route. The name “Hamon Gog” stands as a permanent reminder that God defends His name and His people (Clarke). Passers-by see the monument and know the Lord.
- Cleansing through judgment: Seven months of burial work clean the land (v.12). God’s victory is not only deliverance but also purification, evil is removed, and the land is fit for His presence.
Five-point outline
- God gives Gog a place in Israel, but only a grave (v.11a).
- The location is the valley east of the sea, once a highway for merchants and invaders (v.11b).
- The valley becomes blocked, either by corpses or by stench, stopping travelers (v.11c).
- Gog and all his multitude are buried there (v.11d).
- The place is renamed “Valley of Hamon Gog” (“multitude of Gog”), a lasting memorial (v.11e).
Illustration hooks
- Highway memorial: Imagine a busy interstate where a former dictator’s army was destroyed. The road is blocked by a mass grave, and a sign tells the story. Every driver remembers.
- Graveyard where the enemy expected a palace: A general builds a monument to his own victory, but his body ends up buried in a mass pit. The final word belongs to God.
- Cleanup after a disaster: After a major flood or war, the months-long work of burying the dead and restoring the land. The process is grim, but it makes way for renewal.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How can I trust that God will ultimately defeat evil, even when it seems powerful now?
- What does it mean that God “gives” a burial place? Is this mercy or judgment?
- How does the cleansing of the land relate to my own need for cleansing from sin?
Leading a Discussion
This verse shows the final outcome of Gog’s invasion: a burial place that becomes a public testimony. Gog expected to conquer, but God gave him only a grave. The valley east of the sea, once a busy route, is now blocked by the dead. The name change marks a permanent reminder of God’s victory. As you discuss, consider how God’s judgments serve both as warnings and as acts of cleansing.
Discussion questions
- Read Ezekiel 39:11 slowly. What details stand out to you about the burial place and its location?
- Why does the valley stop those who pass through? How do the different interpretations (stench vs. blockage) change the picture?
- The valley is east of the sea, either the Dead Sea or the Sea of Galilee. Why might the location matter for the message?
- Gog’s name is replaced by “Hamon Gog” (multitude of Gog). What does this renaming say about God’s victory?
- How does this verse connect to the broader story of God’s judgment in Ezekiel 38, 39? What does it teach about God’s character?
- In what ways does God’s victory over evil give you hope today? Where do you see evil “blocked” in your own life or community?
- How can the church be a “memorial” of God’s power and justice to those who pass by?
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Numbers 11:34 | The name of that place was called Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who lusted. |
| Numbers 34:11 | The border shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain. The border shall go down, and shall reach to the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward. |
| Ezekiel 38:2 | “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, |
| Ezekiel 47:18 | “The east side, between Hauran, Damascus, Gilead, and the land of Israel, shall be the Jordan; from the north border to the east sea you shall measure. This is the east side. |
| Luke 5:1 | Now while the multitude pressed on him and heard the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. |
| John 6:1 | After these things, Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is also called the Sea of Tiberias. |
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke identifies the valley as a major trade route travelers used from Syria to Egypt. He notes that Gog refers not to Antiochus personally but to his generals and soldiers, who represent him. The name Hamon-gog (multitude of Gog) describes a place where the enormous slaughter blocks that pass entirely.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights a deliberate wordplay in the original: the same Hebrew root for "passengers" carries three meanings—invading, passing by, and passing through. For him, this layered language reinforces the completeness of God's judgment: the vast army that once invaded is now just something travelers walk over.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill stresses that the army of Gog, which intended to conquer all Israel, will receive no more than a burial plot there. He identifies the valley east of the Sea of Galilee as the gravesite, its name meaning "multitude of Gog." The stench will stop travelers, and Gill notes this prophecy remains unfulfilled since no such place name exists in Israel.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights the irony that Gog anticipated the spoils of conquest but instead found only a grave. The vast number of corpses would require a deep valley near the public road east of the Dead Sea, so many travelers would witness God's judgment. This burial site would stand beside the region of Sodom and Gomorrah, another famous example of divine punishment.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasises the thoroughness of God's judgment: Israel spends seven years burning the enemy's weapons for fuel and seven months burying the dead to cleanse the land. This complete disposal of Gog's multitude, down to every bone, shows a victory so total that God even invites birds and beasts to consume the bodies as His sacrifice.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes the bitter irony: Gog came to seize land but will instead own only a grave there. The valley's name comes from the heavy traffic of travelers through that route, and the Dead Sea and the title "multitude of Gog" mark the place where his horde is buried.