GOG and MAGOG


The first occurrence of "Magog" in the Hebrew Bible is in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10, where Magog is the eponymous ancestor of a people or nation (without any accompanying apocalyptic symbolism, or mention of Gog, although "Magog" may mean "the land of Gog"):2. The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras In this occurrence, Magog is clearly the name of a person, although in the anthropology proposed by Genesis, ethnic groups and nations are founded by, and usually named after, their founding ancestors. The names of Gomer, Tubal, Meshech, and Togarmah also occur in Ezekiel. The meaning of the name Gog is uncertain. However, the name "Gog" is listed as a descendant of Reuben at 1 Chronicles 5: 3, 4.
The earliest known reference to "Gog" and "Magog" together is also in the Bible, in the Book of Ezekiel:38:2. Son of man, set thy face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3. And you shall say; So said the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.
Gog is "of the land of Magog" situated in "the remotest parts of the earth." He is the "head chieftain ["great prince" or "chief prince"] of Meshech and Tubal." Although it is clear (in the Hebrew) that here Magog is a "land" (eretz) from verse 2, and that Gog is a "prince" from verse 3, different identifications have been made. The Interlinear Bible (Hebrew - Greek - English) states 2. as: "Son of man, set your face toward Gog, the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal; and prophesy concerning him."
The lands mentioned all lay north of Israel, but the conspiracy embraced southern Hamitic members also, namely Put and Ethiopia in Africa. Gog's role, therefore, is as commander of a massive assault force that applies tremendous pressures designed to crush God's people as though they were in a vise. Israel is described as "dwelling in the center of the earth." Ancient Israel was located at a central point as regards the Eurasian and African continents but also was the center of worship of the true God and was counted by him as "the apple of his eye." (De 32:9,10; Zech 2:8) God draws Gog out by restoring and prospering his own name people, who seemingly have no protective "walls" to defend themselves. This incites Gog to manifest his malevolence toward them and attack
Most, if not all (and it is very likely that it is the later than the former) of the references that there are to Gog and Magog are pretty bad. However there are two oddities in this long list of evils of Gog and Magog.

In the Quran:
Gog and Magog appear in Qur'an Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave chapter), 18:83-98, as Yajuj and Majuj (Ya'jūj and Ma'jūj or يأجوج و مأجوج, in Arabic, Yecüc Mecüc in Turkish transliteration). The verses state that Dhul-Qarnayn (the one with two horns) travelled the world in three directions, until he found a tribe threatened by Gog and Magog, who were of an "evil and destructive nature" and "caused great corruption on earth." The people offered tribute in exchange for protection. Dhul-Qarnayn agreed to help them, but refused the tribute; he constructed a great wall that the hostile nations were unable to penetrate. They will be trapped there until doomsday, and their escape will be a sign of the end:
The Quranic account of Dhul-Qarnayn follows very closely the "Gates of Alexander" story from the Alexander romance, a thoroughly embellished compilation of Alexander the Great's wars and adventures

In Britain:
According to the tradition, the giants Gog and Magog are guardians of the City of London, and images of them have been carried in the Lord Mayor's Show since the days of King Henry V.

But here is some back round that makes them not so good guardians:
The Lord Mayor's procession takes place each year on the second Saturday of November.
The Lord Mayor's account of Gog and Magog says that the Roman Emperor Diocletian had thirty-three wicked daughters. He found thirty three husbands for them to curb their wicked ways; they chafed at this, and under the leadership of the eldest sister, Alba, they murdered them. For this crime, they were set adrift at sea; they were washed ashore on a windswept island, which after Alba was called Albion. Here they coupled with demons, and gave birth to a race of giants, among whose descendants were Gog and Magog.

And the Irish:
Works of Irish mythology, including the Lebor Gabála Érenn (the Book of Invasions), expand on the Genesis account of Magog as the son of Japheth and make him the ancestor to the Irish. His three sons were Baath, Jobhath, and Fathochta. Magog is regarded as the father of the Irish race, and the progenitor of the Scythians, as well as of numerous other races across Europe and Central Asia.
Partholón, leader of the first group to colonize Ireland after the Deluge, was a descendant of Magog. The Milesians, or people of the 5th invasion of Ireland, were also descendants of Magog.