Who's the 71st Nation With Gog?
We know that גוג ומגוג has a gematria of 70 that corresponds to the 70 nations. With Togarma, one of Gog's cohorts, getting unfriendlier by the day, this prophecy is shaping up. However, one Midrash seems to imply a 71st nation.
The Midrash Vayosha says that there will be a 71st nation that goes along with Gog. Who is this 71st nation?
The footnote (the Eishel Hayim) first says that he thinks the correct girsa is 70 nations - not 71. He then gives an alternative explanation that the 71st nation refers to the Jews of Yehuda who will be taken captive by Gog and brought to Yerushalayim (see the first few Pesukim of Zecharia 12, Rashi there, and Midrash Soheir Tov on Tehillim 118).
Alternatively, the explanation that makes the most sense to me based on the world's current situation is that the 71st nation is Yishmael, who is not included in the other 70.
posted by yaak @ 4/27/2010 10:42:00 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
maybe the midrashist thought 70 because guggle muggle is 70 in gematria, im hakolel.
;)
oops, thought 71... because ... is 71
I was just thinking how quiet Josh has been lately.
Anyway, it's a big relief that you're back in good form.
My contribution about Togarma vis-a-vis Yehezqel's Prophecy was back in Feb. Turkey is very much to be watched, because it will be the "betrayer": http://habayitah.blogspot.com/2010/02/yehezkels-prophecy.html
This because of the siman that Yehezkel's Tomb was very much in the news. Video also.
See also http://www.imninalu.net/2imninalu.htm
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