On the Etymology of the Words Yaʾjūj and Maʾjūj
Journal Title: Ankara Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi - Year 2018, Vol 59, Issue 2
Abstract
The words Yaʾjūj and Maʾjūj/Gog and Magog appear in the Qur’an, Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. Although this group is generally understood to be a single structure in the Islamic tradition, it is clear that the roles of Yaʾjūj and Maʾjūj/Gog and Magog are different. When we look at the form of the words Yaʾjūj/Gog, we see that they are in active form while the words Maʾjūj/Magog are in passive form. Hence Gog, as clearly stated in the Book of Hezekiel, should be the commander and leader, and thus Maʾjūj/Magog must be understood as the soldiers under the command of Gog. Again, considering the fire related meanings in their etymology, Yaʾjūj and Maʾjūj/Gog and Magog can be evaluated as representatives of Satan.
Authors and Affiliations
Yasin Meral
Keywords
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- EP ID EP607367
- DOI 10.1501/Ilhfak_0000001503
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