יחזקאל, פרק ל״ח, פסוק ד׳

The march to ultimate war is a complex divine plan that blends personal desire with unavoidable destiny. God sets a massive military campaign in motion by pulling a powerful leader toward a predestined battlefield. There is a fascinating contrast in how God brings Gog out of his place. On one hand, God instills a spirit of wild rebellion and temptation, leading Gog to follow his own stubborn heart [רש״י, מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ]. On the other hand, Gog is compared to a wild beast or a fish being led by hooks in its jaws, dragged by force to a destination it wishes to avoid.

The primary approach among commentators to resolve this contrast is that these hooks are a metaphor for the thoughts and urges God plants in Gog's mind, tempting him to march toward the Land of Israel [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. Others suggest a dual approach where God allows Gog to act willingly out of wild rebellion while simultaneously dragging him against his will [מלבי״ם]. Another perspective explains that God will break Gog's resolve until he develops an intense desire to leave his home. This mirrors how God once drew the general Sisera to the Kishon River to defeat him, ultimately ensuring that His name becomes known and holy among the nations [רד״ק]. From a historical standpoint, the hooks pulling Gog represent his ambition to fight rival nations who have conquered and settled in the Land of Israel, and it is their presence that provokes his invasion [אברבנאל].

Drawn by this divine pull, an enormous and highly impressive army marches forth. The soldiers are dressed in magnificent, flawless garments and adorned with jewelry [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, שטיינזלץ]. This striking appearance emphasizes that this is a respected, elite military force rather than a wild, unequipped mob [אברבנאל]. Alongside the professional cavalry marches a massive crowd of volunteers who eagerly join the campaign [מלבי״ם].

This vast army is heavily equipped for both defense and attack. The soldiers carry two types of shields. They use large, broad shields designed to protect the entire body from sword strikes [מצודת ציון, שטיינזלץ], as well as smaller shields meant to block arrows [מלבי״ם]. Every soldier is armed for close combat, holding a defensive shield in one hand and an offensive sword in the other [אברבנאל].