(גּוֹג) occurs in Ezek. xxxviii. 3, 14, and xxxix. 11, as a proper name.

Interpreters have given very different explanations of the terms Gog and Magog; but they have generally understood them as symbolical expressions for the heathen nations of Asia, or more particularly for the Scythians, a vague knowledge of whom seems to have reached the Jews in Palestine. Thus Josephus has dropped the Hebrew word Magog, and rendered it by Σειδα: and so does Jerome; while Suidas renders it by Ἡρά— a difference which matters but little in the main question, since Σειδα, in the ancient authors, is but a collective name for the northern but partially-known tribes; and, indeed, as such a collective name, Magog seems also to indicate in the Hebrew the tribes about the Caucasian mountains. Bochart supports the opinion of Josephus, though by but very precarious etymologies. According to Reinegge some of the Caucasian people call their mountains Gog, and the highest northern points Magog.