Revelation 20:8
New International Version
and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore.

New Living Translation
He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore.

English Standard Version
and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.

Berean Standard Bible
and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore.

Berean Literal Bible
and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together unto the war, of whom is the number of them like the sand of the sea.

King James Bible
And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

New King James Version
and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.

New American Standard Bible
and will come out to deceive the nations which are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore.

NASB 1995
and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore.

NASB 1977
and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore.

Legacy Standard Bible
and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore.

Amplified Bible
and will come out to deceive and mislead the nations which are in the four corners of the earth—[including] Gog and Magog—to gather them together for the war; their number is like the sand of the seashore.

Christian Standard Bible
and will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the sea.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the sea.

American Standard Version
and shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Contemporary English Version
He will fool the countries of Gog and Magog, which are at the far ends of the earth, and their people will follow him into battle. They will have as many followers as there are grains of sand along the beach,

English Revised Version
and shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He will go out to deceive Gog and Magog, the nations in the four corners of the earth, and gather them for war. They will be as numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore.

Good News Translation
and he will go out to deceive the nations scattered over the whole world, that is, Gog and Magog. Satan will bring them all together for battle, as many as the grains of sand on the seashore.

International Standard Version
He will go out to deceive Gog and Magog, the nations at the four corners of the earth, and gather them for war. They are as numerous as the sands of the seashore.

Majority Standard Bible
and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore.

NET Bible
and will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to bring them together for the battle. They are as numerous as the grains of sand in the sea.

New Heart English Bible
and he will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Webster's Bible Translation
And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Weymouth New Testament
and will go out to lead astray the nations in all the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, and assemble them for war, and they are like the sands on the seashore in number.

World English Bible
and he will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war, whose number is as the sand of the sea.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he will go forth to lead the nations astray, that are in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them together to war, of whom the number—as the sand of the sea;

Berean Literal Bible
and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together unto the war, of whom is the number of them like the sand of the sea.

Young's Literal Translation
and he shall go forth to lead the nations astray, that are in the four corners of the earth -- Gog and Magog -- to gather them together to war, of whom the number is as the sand of the sea;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he shall go forth to deceive the nations that in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for war: whose number as the sand of the sea.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they came upon the breadth of the earth, and encompassed the camp of the saints, and the beloved city.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they climbed across the breadth of the earth, and they encompassed the camp of the Saints and the Beloved City.

New American Bible
He will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.

New Revised Standard Version
and will come out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, in order to gather them for battle; they are as numerous as the sands of the sea.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, even to China and Mongolia, to gather them together for war: the number of them is as the sand of the sea.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he will go forth to seduce all the nations in the four corners of The Earth: Gog and Magog, to gather them to war, those whose number is as the sand of The Sea.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and shall go out to deceive the nations that are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to bring them together to battle: the number of these is as the sand of the sea.

Godbey New Testament
and he will go forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war: the number of them being as the sand of the sea.

Haweis New Testament
and he shall go forth to deceive the nations that are in the four corners of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.

Mace New Testament
and shall go out to seduce the nations, which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to assemble them to battle: they will be as numerous as the sand of the sea.

Weymouth New Testament
and will go out to lead astray the nations in all the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, and assemble them for war, and they are like the sands on the seashore in number.

Worrell New Testament
and will come forth to deceive the nations that are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war, the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Worsley New Testament
Satan shall be loosed from his confinement, and shall go forth to deceive the nations, that are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to war, whose number is as the sand of the sea.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Satan Cast into the Lake of Fire
7When the thousand years are complete, Satan will be released from his prison, 8and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth— Gog and Magog— to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore. 9And they marched across the broad expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them.…

Cross References
Ezekiel 38:2-3
“Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Prophesy against him / and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.

Ezekiel 38:14-16
Therefore prophesy, son of man, and tell Gog that this is what the Lord GOD says: On that day when My people Israel are dwelling securely, will you not take notice of this? / And you will come from your place out of the far north—you and many peoples with you, all riding horses—a mighty horde, a huge army. / You will advance against My people Israel like a cloud covering the land. It will happen in the latter days, O Gog, that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I show Myself holy in you before their eyes.

Ezekiel 39:1-2
“As for you, O son of man, prophesy against Gog and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. / I will turn you around, drive you along, bring you up from the far north, and send you against the mountains of Israel.

Ezekiel 39:6
I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they will know that I am the LORD.

Daniel 7:21-22
As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them, / until the Ancient of Days arrived and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for them to possess the kingdom.

Daniel 11:40-45
At the time of the end, the king of the South will engage him in battle, but the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots, horsemen, and many ships, invading many countries and sweeping through them like a flood. / He will also invade the Beautiful Land, and many countries will fall. But these will be delivered from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the leaders of the Ammonites. / He will extend his power over many countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape. ...

Zechariah 14:2-3
For I will gather all the nations for battle against Jerusalem, and the city will be captured, the houses looted, and the women ravished. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be removed from the city. / Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle.

Psalm 2:1-2
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:

Psalm 110:5-6
The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath. / He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead; He will crush the leaders far and wide.

Joel 3:2
I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning My people, My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations as they divided up My land.

Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 24:31
And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Luke 21:24
They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

2 Thessalonians 2:8-10
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival. / The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.

1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.


Treasury of Scripture

And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

to deceive.

Revelation 20:3,10
And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season…

Gog.

Ezekiel 38:1-39:29
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, …

to gather.

Revelation 16:14
For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

the number.

Judges 7:12
And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.

1 Samuel 13:5
And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.

1 Kings 4:20
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.

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Assemble Astray Battle Corners Deceive Earth Four Gather Gog Lead Magog Nations Quarters Sand Sands Sea Together War
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Assemble Astray Battle Corners Deceive Earth Four Gather Gog Lead Magog Nations Quarters Sand Sands Sea Together War
Revelation 20
1. Satan bound for a thousand years.
6. The first resurrection;
7. Satan let loose again.
8. Gog and Magog.
10. The demons cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.
11. The last and general resurrection.














and will go out
This phrase indicates a movement or action initiated by Satan after being released from his prison. The Greek word used here is "ἐξελεύσεται" (exeleusetai), which implies a purposeful departure with intent. Historically, this reflects the recurring theme of evil attempting to disrupt God's plan, reminiscent of Satan's earlier deceptions throughout biblical history.

to deceive
The Greek word "πλανῆσαι" (planēsai) is used here, meaning to lead astray or cause to wander. Deception is a central tactic of Satan, as seen throughout Scripture, beginning with the deception of Eve in Genesis. This highlights the ongoing spiritual battle between truth and falsehood, emphasizing the need for discernment and faithfulness among believers.

the nations
The term "nations" (Greek: "τὰ ἔθνη," ta ethnē) refers to the peoples or ethnic groups of the world. In the biblical context, it often denotes those outside the covenant community of Israel, representing the broader world that is susceptible to Satan's influence. This underscores the universal scope of the final conflict and the pervasive reach of Satan's deception.

in the four corners of the earth
This phrase symbolizes the entirety of the earth, drawing from the ancient understanding of the world as having four cardinal points. It signifies the global nature of the deception and the widespread rebellion against God. The imagery suggests completeness and totality, indicating that no part of the world is immune to this final uprising.

Gog and Magog
These names are drawn from Ezekiel 38-39, where Gog is a leader of a great army from the land of Magog. Historically, these terms have been associated with enemies of God's people. In Revelation, they symbolize the ultimate adversaries of God, representing the forces of evil gathered for the final battle. This connection to Ezekiel emphasizes the prophetic fulfillment and the continuity of God's redemptive plan.

to gather them for battle
The Greek word "συναγαγεῖν" (synagagein) means to assemble or bring together. This gathering for battle is a recurring motif in apocalyptic literature, symbolizing the climactic confrontation between good and evil. It reflects the culmination of spiritual warfare, where God's sovereignty will ultimately triumph over all opposition.

Their number is like the sand of the seashore
This simile, rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, often denotes an innumerable multitude (e.g., Genesis 22:17). It emphasizes the vastness of the forces arrayed against God, yet also serves to highlight the futility of their rebellion. Despite their overwhelming numbers, they are ultimately powerless against the omnipotent God, reinforcing the assurance of divine victory and the hope for believers.

(8) And shall go out to deceive the nations.--Perhaps better, shall come out, as the earth is the view-point. The nations deceived and led astray are designated as Gog and Magog. The names are derived from Ezekiel (Ezekiel 38, 39). In rabbinical books the names were used to describe the nations who would rise against the reign of the Messiah. The names are to be understood figuratively. No particular nation could be well spoken of as "the nations in the four corners of the earth." The origin of the figure is not difficult. In Ezekiel, Gog is called the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; or, adopting another rendering, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. Magog is mentioned in Genesis 10:2 as one of the sons of Japheth. The name is there associated with Gomer, Madai, and Meshech. Gomer is thought to correspond with the Cimmerians, Madai with the Medes, and Meshech with the Muscovites. Mr. Smith, in his history of Assurbanipal from cuneiform inscriptions, thinks that a certain chief of the Saka (Scythians), named Gaagi, is the same as Gog. The sons of this Gaagi are mentioned in connection with Birighudri, a chief of Madai (Medes). Josephus also identifies Magog with the Scythians. The remembrance of the Scythian invasion lingered long in the minds of Asiatic nations; and the names of those northern nations were adopted as representative of the great and undefined enemies who would in after ages assail the Messiah's kingdom, or wage unprovoked war against the true Israel of God. Ezekiel's language in Ezekiel 38:17 seems to imply as much. The Evangelist here accepts the names employed by the earlier prophet. Gog and Magog stand for the great hosts of the nations, and their leaders, who would break forth into uncalled-for hostility against the people of the Lord. It must be remembered that the imagery is derived from the history of Israel. Jerusalem, the beloved city of the true Israel of God, looks out upon her foes. They are Babylon, Egypt, or they may come from the far northern regions, the abode of Gog and Magog, whence the wild and relentless invaders had poured upon the land. Gog and Magog are thus used as typical names. Under the auspices of such, the great gathering of turbulent and reckless enemies of the faith would take place. The hosts of the foes of Jerusalem are described as innumerable as the sand of the sea. This great concourse of countless hosts is moved by hostility to the faith of Christ. The nations, thus multitudinous, have been restrained during the millennial reign. Evil and unbelief have been held in check, but they have not been extinguished. The millennial reign is clearly, therefore, not a period in which the rule of Christ is universally and sincerely accepted. There are powers at work which compete for human affections and interests; but the general acceptance of Christian principles keeps the evil forces in abeyance, and the gracious strength of God limits the power of the archenemy. But when the restraints are removed, the long-suppressed evil breaks forth, and the reluctantly submissive nations are gathered together to the war--not to battle, as in our version, but to the war--i.e., to the war which has been before spoken of in Revelation 16, 19. All the restraints which Christ and Christian teaching had supplied to the world are gradually removed. The Euphrates is dried, the Devil is loosed, the unclean spirits have gone forth, the last phase of the long war between good and evil, between Christ and Belial, has been entered.

Verse 8. - And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog; four corners. The signification of "Gog and Magog" (vide infra) shows in what sense "the nations" is used. It is in the limited sense of the ungodly of the world, not in the wider sense in which the expression is used (without any qualifying clause) in ver. 3. Magog in Genesis 10:2 is mentioned among the sons of Japheth who were the ancestors of the northern nations (cf. Ezekiel 38:15 and Ezekiel 39:2). Hence the name Magog is used to denote the northern tribes, whose invasion of Palestine and adjoining parts took place about B.C. 630-600. From Ezekiel 39, it seems that Gog was originally a leader among these tribes; and from Ezekiel 38:17 it seems that Ezekiel took these names to be symbolical of all the foes of the people of God. Jewish tradition makes use of these names to indicate those nations who were expected to war against Jerusalem in the last days, and to be overthrown by the Messiah. Hence the employment of the terms here by St. John as denoting the ungodly people of the world, amongst whom Satan still exercises his power, though that power is limited to these, and he is completely bound as regards true believers. To gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea; to the war; the article points definitely to the war of Revelation 19:19 and Revelation 16:14. It is a prolonged war, not a battle, because lasting throughout life. The vastness of the hosts of Gog and Magog is alluded to in Ezekiel 38:9, 16. This is in conformity with our Lord's teaching: "Many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14; cf. also Revelation 7:14).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

will go out
ἐξελεύσεται (exeleusetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.

to deceive
πλανῆσαι (planēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4105: To lead astray, deceive, cause to wander. From plane; to roam.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

nations
ἔθνη (ethnē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
ταῖς (tais)
Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

four
τέσσαρσιν (tessarsin)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5064: Four. Or neuter tessara a plural number; four.

corners
γωνίαις (gōniais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1137: A corner; met: a secret place. Probably akin to gonu; an angle.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

earth,
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

Gog
Γὼγ (Gōg)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1136: Of Hebrew origin; Gog, a symbolic name for some future Antichrist.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Magog,
Μαγώγ (Magōg)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3098: Of Hebrew origin; Magog, a foreign nation, i.e. an Antichristian party.

to assemble them
συναγαγεῖν (synagagein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4863: From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain.

for
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

battle.
πόλεμον (polemon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4171: A war, battle, strife. From pelomai; warfare.

[Their]
ὧν (hōn)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

number
ἀριθμὸς (arithmos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 706: A number, total. From airo; a number.

[is] like
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sand
ἄμμος (ammos)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 285: Sand, sandy ground. Perhaps from hama; sand.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

seashore.
θαλάσσης (thalassēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2281: Probably prolonged from hals; the sea.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 20:8 And he will come out to deceive (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
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