Rosh, Russia, Chief and Bible Translations

As Russia has entered the fray in Syria and Christians are being martyred by Islamists, many disagree about whether Russia is named as the leader of the Ezekiel 38 coalition against Israel in a colossal end time battle. The nations mentioned in the Bible that come against Israel, however, are Middle Eastern. Ezekiel 38:2 identifies the leader that will bring Middle Eastern, currently mostly Islamic, nations against Israel: “Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him.” Magog, Meshech, and Tubal were all located in Turkey (directly North of Israel) at the time of Ezekiel’s prophecy.

Bible scholars are divided over the use of the word “Rosh” in the Hebrew translation, which always is the Hebrew word for “Chief.” Some “Scholars” insist Rosh is a people group. In attempting to connect Russia to this particular prophecy, some suggest that the Scythians, a nomadic people, settled in parts of what are now Russia, thus becoming the “Russian” connection. In the context of the scriptures, there is yet another clue. In Revelation 2:13, Jesus tells us that Pergamos is “where Satan’s seat is.” Pergamos is in Turkey, not Russia. The “Beast” of the end times is referred to in several places in the the Bible as the Assyrian, an empire that once controlled many of these prophetic locations in Turkey, but not Russia.

This controversy is further flamed by interpretations of the Bible. The King James Version translates the word “Rosh” as “Chief.” As does the King James 2000, American King James, New International Version, New Living Translation, English Standard Version, Holman Christian Standard Version, International Standard Version, NET Bible, God’s Word Translation, JPS Tanakh 1917, Jubilee Bible 2000, and Webster’s Bible Translation. Those who changed the translation to “prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal” include: The New King James Version, Young’s Literal Translation, World English Bible, English Revised Version, Darby Bible Translation, and the American and New American Standard Versions.

There is no doubt that Russia plays a role. It is a traditional supplier of weapons to Israel’s enemies; it blocks most UN actions against Israel’s enemies. In fact, Russia voted for Israel’s right to exist at the UN in 1948, then it supplied the advisors and military equipment to the nations that immediately attacked her. But as far as Biblical proof that Russia is leading the Ezekiel 38 attack, it is speculation. Turkey, however, is extremely significant and once was the home of the most antichrist political and religious system on earth, the Islamic Caliphate–the Ottoman Empire. Jesus warns in Matthew 24:4, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” Study the word for yourself that you may discern these times. It is important.