Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 38:12

12 To take a spoil , and to take a prey ; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited , and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations which have gotten cattel and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.

The Scythians, and those other Nations in this Army, were from their original a violent, unjust, and thievish people, addicted to Robberies, and they now, under this Gog, follow the old trade.

The same repeated.

Either it speaks the ease, with which Gog presumeth he shall do, what he intendeth, or the sad desolation, which he would cause to return upon the Iewes.

Made so by the Babylonians, and continued so, till of late years past.

Newly repeopled, and rebuilt upon their return out of Babylon.

Or which are now by your Husbandry, and diligence getting somewhat of Estate, and Riches, or, as we read it, have gotten; for 'twas to Antiochus Epiphanes time from their return near 350 years, and from the finishing the Walls of Ierusalem by Nehemiah to Antiochus time, 200 years, so that in that time, the Iews might be grown rich enough to be accounted a great prey to him, if he were this Gog, however such the Iews will be thought, when Gog attempts this enterprise.

Marginal references: Heb. to spoil [illegible: 1 word] spoil, and to [illegible: 1 word] the prey.; Heb. navel.