Gog
/ɡɒɡ/noun
A mysterious ruler or enemy mentioned in the biblical Book of Ezekiel and later associated with an apocalyptic adversary.
Did you know?The name’s original meaning is uncertain, but Gog was later fused with Magog in medieval prophecy as a symbol of the forces gathering against the world before the apocalypse.
Etymological Timeline
6th Century BCE
Biblical Hebrew
גּוֹג (Gog)
“The name of a ruler described in Ezekiel as coming from the land of Magog; the name’s etymology is uncertain.”
6th Century BCE
Biblical Hebrew
מָגוֹג (Magog)
“A land or people associated with Gog in Ezekiel’s apocalyptic prophecy.”
3rd–2nd Century BCE
Greek Septuagint
Γώγ (Gōg)
“Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Gog.”
4th–5th Century CE
Latin
Gog
“Latin biblical form retained in translations of Ezekiel and Revelation.”
8th–12th Century
Medieval Latin and Old English
Gog and Magog
“Apocalyptic or legendary enemies increasingly treated in Christian tradition as nations threatening the world.”
Modern English
English
Gog
“A biblical-apocalyptic proper name, often used figuratively for a catastrophic enemy or tyrant.”