GOMER (Go'mer) [completion].

1. Grandson of Noah and first-named son of Japheth born after the Flood. (Gen.
10:1,2; 1 Chron 1:4,5) He and his sons, Ashkenaz, Riphath and Togarmah, are
among "the families of the sons of Noah according to their family descents"
from whom the nations were spread about after the Deluge.  Gen. 10:3,32.


The nation that descended from Gomer is historically associated with the
ancient Cimmerians, an Aryan race called Gimirrai in the Assyrian inscriptions
and who settled in the region N of the Black Sea.  The Crimea (the peninsula of
the southern Ukraine extending into the northern portion of The Black Sea)
evidently derives its name from this basically nomadic people.  In the eighth
century B.C.E. during the reign of Assyrian King Sargon they came through the
Caucasus (the mountainous region between the Black and Caspian Seas), attacking
the kingdoms of Urartu (Ararat) and Tubal (Tubal).  Perhaps pressured by the
Scythians or else subsequently reinforced by them they penetrated eastern Asia
Minor where this Armenian name for Cappadocia, Gamir, doubtless reflects their
invasion.  Faced with a strong Assyrian Empire to the east, the Cimmerians
pushed westward and warred against the Phrygians of central and NW Asia Minor.
Essarhaddon claims to have defeated the Cimmerians and Ashurbanipal, later
mentions their invasion of the kingdom of Lydia.  They were finally expelled
from Lydia by Lydian King Alyattes (predecessor of Croesus).


In Ezekiel's prophecy concerning the assault by "Gog of the land of Magog"
against the regathered people of Jehovah (the writing of which was evidently
completed by 591 B.C.E.), "Gomer and all its bands" are listed among Gog's
forces along with Togarmah "of the remotest parts of the north, and all its
bands."  -Ezek. 338:2-8; See Gog No. 2; Magog; Togarmah.


While mention in secular history of the Cimmerians (by that name) ends about
the sixth century B.C.E., they are associated by many scholars with the Celtic
(or, Gallic) peoples of Europe, thus indicating a movement in early times of
the Gimirrai (or, Gomerians) westward into Europe proper.  The Jewish historian
Josephus connected the descendants of Gomer with the Gauls (called Galatians by
the Greeks), a number of whom invaded Asia Minor during the third century
B.C.E., giving their name to the later province of Galatia.  Other ancient
historians viewed the Galatians and Cimmerians as the same race.  -See Galatia.


Traces of the name of Gomer (via that of the Cimmerians) are found in other
Celtic tribes of northern Europe such as the Cimbri.  The Cimbri at one time
occupied the whole of the British Isles until finally driven into the districts
where presently are found the Gael in Ireland, and Scotland, and the Cymry in
Wales.  Thus, The Anchor Bible in its commentary on Genesis (1964, p. 66) says
concerning Gomer:  "a name still in use apparently for the Welsh (Cymry)."
Hence, if these historical relationships are accurate, it would seem likely
that Gomer was the progenitor not only of early Cimmerians, but also of the
later Celtic peoples as a whole.


In the opposite direction to such a westward migration, in the Chinese province
of Sinkiang the tribe called the Tokhari are referred to as "linguistic
cousins" of the Celts of western Europe.


Whatever is the actual connection of these various tribes and peoples with
Gomer, the evidence presented clearly supports the Bible description of the
dispersion and spread of various families and nations from one central area in
the Middle East.


2. The daughter of Diblaim who became the wife of Hosea in accord with
Jehovah's instructions to that prophet. (Hos. 1:2, 3)  Gomer thereafter gave
birth to three children whose significant names were used by God to foretell
the disastrous results of Israelis spiritual adultery in the form of idolatry.
In relating the birth of the first child, a son named Jezreel, the account
states that Gomer "bore to him [Hosea] a son."  In connection with the births
of the next two children, however, no reference is made to the prophet as the
father, and this has been the basis for considering them as probably
illegitimate (1:3-9).  Chapter 3 verses 1-3, appears to describe Gomer's being
brought back from an adulterous course, to the prophet, being purchased as
though a slave, thus illustrating Israel being received back by God on the
basis of their repentance.




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PUT [perhaps, bow]. A son of Ham. (Gen. 10:6; 1 Chron. 1-8) Although Put is
mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, none of his individual offspring are named.
Often his descendants lent military support to Egypt (Jer. 46:9; Ezek. 30:4-6;
Nah. 3:9).  They served as mercenaries in the armies of Tyre and contributed
to that city's greatness (Ezek. 27:3, 10).  Put was also foretold to be among
the forces of Gog of Magog.  -Ezek. 38:5.


Available evidence points to a connection between Put and the Libyans of N.
Africa.  In four of its occurrences, Put is rendered "Libyans" or "Libya" by
the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate (Jer. 46:9; Ezek. 27:10; 30:5; 38:5).
The Hebrew Put also closely corresponds to the Putaya (usually considered to
be Libya) of Old Persian inscriptions.  However, Nahum 3:9 seems to indicate
that Put and Lu.vim (Libyans) are separate peoples.  But this in itself would
not rule out identifying Put with the Libyans.  The term "Libyans" was more
comprehensive than the Hebrew designation Lu.vim, as may be inferred from
Herodotus' reference to Libyans and various nations of Libyans. -Book II, sec.
32.


The identification of Put with the Punt of Egyptian inscriptions is not
generally accepted today for phonetic reasons.  Lastly, there is a belief,
among some Chinese, based on ancient genealogy documents, that the Chinese
race descends from the 11th son of Put.




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MAGOG (Magog). A son of Japheth and grandson of Noah.  His name appears among
the family heads from whom the initial national groups were dispersed about
the earth following the Flood. -Gen. 10:1,2,5; 1 Chron. 1:5.


The name thereafter occurs in Ezekiel's prophecy concerning the storm like
attack by Gog of the land of Magog against Jehovah's regathered people.  It,
therefore, appears to be used by the prophet to indicate a land or region in
the remotest parts of the north, out of which Gog's host comes forth.  His
plundering forces described as riding on {symbolic} horses . . . a great
congregation {grouping of people}, even a numerous military force . . .
employing sword and bow. -Ezek. 38:2-4,8,9,13-16; 39:1-3,6.


From the time of the Jewish historian Josephus the "land of Magog" has been
suggested to relate to the fierce Scythian tribes found in NE Europe and
Central Asia.  [Notation: History research texts have traced the migration of
the tribe of Magog from the southern coastal region just below the Black Sea,
to territories north of both the Black and Caspian Seas.]


Classical writers of Greek and Roman times described the Scythians as northern
barbarians rapacious and warlike equipped with large cavalry forces, well
armored, and skilled with the bow.  While the name Scythian may originally
derive from "Ashkenaz" another descendant of Japheth (Gen 10:2 3), the
Encyclopoedia Britannica (1959 ed., Vol 20,, p. 235) states that throughout
classical literature Scythia generally meant all regions to the north and
northeast of the Black Sea and a Scythian (Skuthes) any barbarian coming from
those parts.  Other authorities likewise show that the term "Scythian" was used
rather flexibly to embrace generally the nomadic tribes N of the Caucasus (the
region between the Black and Caspian Seas), similar to the modern use of the
term "Tartar".  Hence The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge
(Vol. V p. 14) comments: The name Scythians was among the ancients an elastic
appellation, and so was the Hebrew use of Magog.


SYMBOLIC USE

The fact that the definite location of the "land of Magog" is left uncertain
and indeterminate to us in the Bible (as well as in secular history) along with
the prophet's reference to the final part of the years (Ezek. 38:8) and the
fact that the described invasion is not known to have taken place literacy
upon Israel provides the basis for viewing the prophet as relating to a future
time in the Biblical time of the end.  Thus many commentators see in it a
forecast of the final attack of the world powers upon the kingdom of God, and
the land of Magog as representing the world as hostile to God's people and
kingdom.  New Standard Bible Dictionary  by Jacobus, Lane and Zenos, p. 307.


As shown in the article on Gog (which see), the land of Magog manifestly has a
symbolic significance.  The fact that the term "Scythian", with which Magog is
usually associated, came to be used as a synonym for that which is brutal and
degraded would logically seem to point to a fallen state or position of
debasement, analogous to the position assigned to Satan and his angels
following the war in heaven from which debased position he wrathfully wages
war with the remaining ones of [the woman's] seed as described at Revelation
12:7-17.


The final appearance of the term "Magog" is at Revelation 20:8, and here the
connection with God's prime adversary, Satan the Devil, is plainly stated.
However, the vision here differs in that it relates events to occur, not in
the time of the end, but at the close of the thousand-year reign of Christ
Jesus and subsequent to the loosing of Satan from the abyss.  Rather than a
particular land or location, "Gog and Magog"  here is used to describe those on
earth who yield to the released adversary's influence and rebel against God's
rule as expressed through the holy ones and the beloved city.  Rev 2O:3, 7-10.




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TUBAL (Tu.bal).  One of the seven sons of Japheth (Gen. 10:2; 1 Chron. 1:5).
The name is thereafter used as referring to a people or land and usually in
association with Meshech, the name of another of Japheth's sons.  Tubal, along
with Javan and Meshech, engaged in trading with Tyre, dealing in slaves and
copper articles (Ezek. 27:13).  Tubal was included in Ezekiel's dirge over
Egypt as being among the "uncircumcised" ones with whom the Egyptians would
lie in Sheol, because of the terror they had wrought (Ezek. 32:26, 27).  They
are also included among those uniting with Gog of the land of Magog (who is
called, head chieftain of Meshech and Tubal) and who comes storming out of the
remotest parts of the north in a fierce attack against God's people (Ezek.
38:2,3, 39:1,2; see Gog No. 2).  In another prophesy, Jehovah foretells that
he will send envoys to proclaim his glory to Tubal, Javan and other lands.
-Isa. 66:19.


Tubal thus lay to the N of Israel but not so distant as to be out of commercial
contact with Tyre in Phoenicia.  Most authorities consider the name to refer to
the same people as the Tabal or Tabali of Assyrian inscriptions where Tabal and
Mushku (evidently Meshech) are frequents mentioned together.  Herodotus, some
centuries later, also listed them together as the Ti.ba.re.noi and the
Mo.skhoi.  On this basis, the land of Tubal is considered to have been situated
in eastern Asia Minor.  The existence of copper mines in this region coincides
with the Biblical account.




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MESHECH (Me'shech) [a drawing out, or skinning].

1.  One of the sons born after the Flood to Japheth, the son of Noah (Gen.
10:2; 1 Chron. 1:5).  The name evidently extended to his descendants and the
land mentions of their settlement.  The prophet Ezekiel regularly mentions
Meshech along with Tubal, indicating that they were located to the N of
Palestine.  They are described as exporting slaves and copper to Tyre and as
being warlike and as either allies or subjects of 'Gog of Magog' in his
prophesied vicious campaign against "the mountains of Israel" (Ezek. 27:13;
32:26; 38:2,3; 39:1,2; see Gog No.2).  Meshech is mentioned independently of
Tubal at Psalms 120:5, evidently as representing an aggressive, barbarous
people.


About a thousand years after the Flood, Assyrian inscriptions begin to mention
a people called the Mushku occupying an area in Asia Minor to the W of Assyria.
Assyrian Emperors Tiglath-pileser I, Tukulti-Ninurta II, Ashurnasirpal II, and
Sargon all mention conflicts with them.  The fact that the Mushku  are
frequently mentioned along with the Tabali  (evidently the Biblical Tubal)
gives reason for believing that the name Mushku derives from Meshech.
Herodotus later refers to the Mo'skhoi and the Tibarenoi' in the same manner.


Many scholars suggest that the Mushku are to be related with the Phrygians, who
apparently dominated much of western and central Asia Minor about the close of
the second millennium B.C.E.  King Mita, of Mushku, referred to by Assyrian
Emperor Sargon, is construed as being identical with King Midas of Phrygia,
described in Greek tradition as ruling in the same period.


It is generally agreed that in a later period, the Mushku moved farther towards
the N.  Some suggest that the name of the Mushku is to be traced on to that of
the later Muscovites of Russia.


2.  Meshech appears in the Masoretic text at 1 Chronicles 1:17 as a descendant
of Shem, but the corresponding genealogy at Genesis 10:23 reads "Mash."




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Copyright (c) 1993, 1998 Lester D.K. Chow
Original text by the International Bible Students Association.
All rights protected, 1969, 1971.