Expounding on Gog and Magog as Symbolically Found in the Prophecy of Joel Chapter 2: Exile, Redemption, and Salvation of the Nations
Joel chapter 2 is a profound prophecy that captures both the darkness of exile and the brilliance of redemption. Through the imagery of locusts, grain, wine, and oil, the prophet Joel presents a vision of devastation followed by divine restoration. Kabbalistically, this chapter is not merely about agricultural renewal but symbolizes the ultimate battle between holiness and impurity—between Israel and the 70 nations, and between the divine light of Mashiach and the darkness of Gog and Magog.
The Locusts as the 70 Nations: The Forces of Desolation
The plague of locusts in Joel 2 is symbolic of the 70 nations that attacked Israel spiritually and physically throughout the long exile. In Kabbalah, the locusts represent the kelipot (husks of impurity) that conceal divine light. Just as locusts devour the crops, the nations sought to consume Israel’s spiritual heritage and separate them from Hashem.
Joel’s description of the locusts as a vast and relentless army mirrors the prophetic vision of Gog and Magog—“a nation of nations” seeking to destroy Israel's connection to Hashem:
“A nation has invaded My land, mighty and without number, its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and it has the fangs of a lioness.” (Joel 1:6)
In Kabbalistic thought, this army of locusts symbolizes the Sitra Achra (the Other Side)—the collective forces of ego and separation that wage war against the divine unity represented by Israel. The exile of Israel is thus seen as a descent into the realm of the kelipot, scattering sparks of holiness among the nations, to be elevated later through Torah and mitzvot.
The Northern One—Gog and Magog as the Ultimate Kelipah
In Joel 2:20, Hashem promises to remove the “northern one” far from Israel:
“But I will remove far off from you the northern one, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate.”
Kabbalistically, the “northern one” (צָפוֹן, Tzafon) is a clear reference to Gog and Magog—the ultimate kelipah that arises from the “far north” to challenge divine sovereignty. This connection is explicitly supported by the prophecy in the book of Ezekiel:
“And you shall come from your place out of the farthest parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army.” (Ezekiel 38:15)
The direction of the north in Kabbalah is associated with Gevurah (severity and judgment) and is linked to Esau and the forces of Din (judgment) that oppose Chesed (loving-kindness) embodied by Jacob (Israel). The northern direction represents a spiritual descent into concealment, where divine light is obscured by the kelipot (husks of impurity).
The term “northern one” also hints at something hidden or concealed (צָפוּן, Tzafun), suggesting that the power of Gog and Magog lies in concealment and deception—spiritual darkness that hides the light of Hashem. Just as the locusts devour in darkness, so does Gog and Magog’s power stem from spiritual concealment and ego-consciousness.
The ultimate removal of this northern force symbolizes the breaking of the final kelipah, clearing the way for the unrestricted flow of divine light in the Messianic era. This is the Kabbalistic concept of It’hapcha—transforming darkness into light by revealing Hashem’s sovereignty even in the depths of concealment.
Thus, the prophecy of Joel, coupled with Ezekiel’s vision of Gog and Magog from the farthest north, presents a unified Kabbalistic narrative: the final battle is not just a geopolitical event but a metaphysical process of rectifying the world by exposing and transforming the most concealed and powerful aspects of impurity into vessels for divine light.
Grain, Wine, and Oil—The Threefold Restoration of Redemption
Joel 2:19 speaks of a threefold restoration:
“Behold, I will send you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied by them; and I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations.”
Kabbalistically, these three elements represent the stages of redemption:
Grain (דָגָן, Dagan): Symbolizes material and physical restoration—returning to the land and rebuilding the desolate places. In a deeper sense, grain represents the body and the physical commandments (Mitzvot Ma’asiyot) that refine the material world and elevate the sparks hidden within it.
Wine (תִּירוֹשׁ, Tirosh): Represents Torah knowledge and spiritual wisdom (Binah). Wine in Kabbalah is associated with the secrets of the Torah (סוֹד, Sod) and the revelation of the inner dimension of divine wisdom. The restoration of wine symbolizes the spread of Torah knowledge to all nations, fulfilling the prophecy:
“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of Hashem, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:9)Oil (שֶׁמֶן, Shemen): Symbolizes Mashiach and the ultimate revelation of divine light (Chochmah). Oil penetrates and illuminates, representing the light of Mashiach that will penetrate all creation. The anointing oil is the very essence of the King-Messiah, who will bring about the final redemption by revealing Hashem’s oneness.
Together, grain, wine, and oil represent the body (action), soul (knowledge), and spirit (divine light) of redemption. The fullness of this restoration indicates that the exile—represented by the desolation of the land by the locusts—will be completely reversed. The sparks scattered among the nations will be gathered and elevated, transforming the power of the serpent (exile) into the light of Mashiach (redemption).
The Wrestling of Jacob and Esau—Subduing the 70 Nations
The exile and subsequent restoration echo the wrestling match between Jacob and the angel of Esau. Kabbalistically, Esau represents the unrectified forces of Gevurah—the nations that seek to dominate Israel. The struggle between Jacob and Esau is a microcosm of Israel's struggle with the 70 nations:
“Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:28)
The defeat of the “northern one” (Gog and Magog) in Joel 2 parallels Jacob’s victory over Esau’s angel, symbolizing the ultimate rectification of Gevurah by transforming its energy to serve holiness. The restoration of grain, wine, and oil reflects the spiritual ascent of Israel as it defeats the kelipot of the nations, reclaiming its role as the vessel for divine light.
Gog and Magog—The Final Test of Free Will
The appearance of Gog and Magog at the end of the Messianic age, as suggested by Joel’s prophecy, represents the final test of free will. After the revelation of divine knowledge during the Messianic age, the rebellion of Gog and Magog will expose the true nature of the unrectifiable kelipot. This final battle is necessary to burn away the dross of the nations, allowing only those sparks capable of receiving divine light to continue into Olam HaBa (the World to Come).
Gog and Magog as Leviathan—The Hook in the Jaw
In Ezekiel 38:4, we encounter a striking image of Hashem capturing Gog, the leader of Magog, with a hook:
“And I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws, and I will lead you out, with all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in splendor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords.” (Ezekiel 38:4)
This imagery of a hook in the jaw evokes the vision of capturing a great sea creature, directly paralleling the descriptions of Leviathan—the primordial serpent of chaos and the ultimate manifestation of the kelipah. Isaiah speaks explicitly of this act:
“On that day, Hashem with His severe, great, and strong sword shall punish Leviathan, the fleeing serpent, Leviathan, the twisting serpent; and He shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.” (Isaiah 27:1)
Kabbalistically, Leviathan represents the macrocosmic ego—the Sitra Achra (the Other Side) that opposes divine sovereignty. The act of placing a hook in the jaw of Gog, drawing him forth from the “farthest parts of the north,” aligns with the symbolism of reeling in Leviathan from the depths of the sea. The “sea” here represents the concealed realms of impurity and chaos, where Leviathan lurks, embodying the cumulative force of all opposition to Hashem's kingship.
Leviathan as the Collective Ego of the 70 Nations
The connection between Gog and Leviathan also illuminates the role of the 70 nations as manifestations of the kelipot:
Leviathan: Represents the ultimate macrocosmic kelipah—the root of all ego and separation.
Gog and Magog: Symbolize the collective opposition of the 70 nations to divine sovereignty, embodying the archetype of Leviathan’s rebellious nature.
In this light, the “hook” is not just a tool of physical capture but a symbol of divine wisdom (Chochmah) piercing through the concealment of the kelipot, exposing and neutralizing the deceptive power of the collective ego. The act of pulling Gog from the “farthest parts of the north” represents the final revelation of all concealed opposition, leading to its transformation or destruction.
The Kabbalistic Meaning of the Hook
In Kabbalah, the hook can also be seen as an instrument of birur (clarification):
Itkafia: Subduing the kelipot by exposing their true nature.
It’hapcha: Transforming the energy of the kelipot into vessels for holiness.
The hook that draws out Gog parallels the slaying of Leviathan, both symbolizing the exposure and rectification of the deepest realms of impurity. By revealing the concealed power of the Sitra Achra (Other Side) and forcing it into confrontation with divine light, Hashem demonstrates the ultimate futility of rebellion.
Leviathan, Gog, and the Northern Sea
The association of Gog with the “northern parts” and Leviathan with the sea is significant:
The North (Tzafon): Associated with Gevurah (judgment) and the concealed realms of spiritual darkness.
The Sea: Represents Tohu (chaos) and the depths of unrectified reality.
Thus, the hook that draws Gog from the north is the same force that slays Leviathan in the sea—a Kabbalistic allegory for the final battle between divine light and the forces of separation and chaos.
The Leviathan Feast—Transforming Gog and Magog
Kabbalistically, the tradition of the righteous feasting on Leviathan’s flesh in the Messianic age symbolizes the transformation of the most powerful forces of opposition into nourishment for holiness:
Eating Leviathan: Represents internalizing and sanctifying the energy of the kelipot.
The Defeat of Gog and Magog: Is thus a prelude to this feast, symbolizing the transformation of the collective ego into a source of spiritual elevation.
By capturing Gog with a hook, Hashem is metaphorically preparing Leviathan to be “slain and served” to the righteous—transforming even the most profound opposition into a revelation of divine unity.
In this framework, Gog and Magog are not just a military threat but the ultimate expression of the Leviathan consciousness—ego-driven, rebellious, and destined to be transformed into a vessel for revealing Hashem’s sovereignty.
The Final Redemption—The Abundance of Divine Knowledge
As Joel 2 progresses into verses 21-27, a profound shift occurs—from the destruction of the northern enemy (Gog and Magog) to the flourishing of the land, the restoration of divine knowledge, and the ultimate revelation of Hashem’s sovereignty. The imagery of trees bearing fruit, the fig tree and the vine blossoming, and the overflowing vats of oil presents a powerful Kabbalistic vision of the Messianic era—an age when the light of Mashiach consciousness fills the world.
“Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for Hashem has done great things! Do not fear, O beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their strength.” (Joel 2:21-22)
In Kabbalistic symbolism, the fig tree and the vine represent aspects of Mashiach consciousness:
The Fig Tree: Symbolizes the hidden light of Torah’s secrets (Sod), which will be revealed fully in the Messianic era. The fig tree’s fruit is unique in that it ripens slowly, representing the gradual unveiling of divine knowledge.
The Vine: Symbolizes the joy and wisdom of Torah (wine), illuminating the mind with Da’at Elyon (supernal knowledge). The abundance of wine represents an outpouring of divine consciousness that penetrates every aspect of reality.
This flourishing of trees and fruits symbolizes the end of the kelipot’s power to conceal divine light. The defeat of Gog and Magog—identified with Leviathan and the ultimate kelipah—leads to a world where divine knowledge can spread unimpeded, allowing the sparks of holiness trapped within creation to be fully elevated.
The Teacher of Righteousness and the Rain of Divine Knowledge
Joel’s prophecy continues with a promise of spiritual abundance:
“And you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of Hashem your G-d, who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be ashamed.” (Joel 2:26)
This abundance is attributed to Hashem’s gift of a “Teacher of Righteousness” and the rain that is brought down:
“And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Hashem your G-d, and there is none else; and My people shall never be ashamed.” (Joel 2:27)
In Kabbalistic thought:
The Teacher of Righteousness: Represents Mashiach, who embodies the ultimate revelation of Torah wisdom and divine will. The Hebrew word for teacher (מוֹרֶה, Moreh) shares a root with rain (מָטָר, Matar), suggesting that the “rain” symbolizes the downpour of divine knowledge—Chochmah (wisdom) and Binah (understanding) manifesting in the world.
Rain: In Kabbalah, water symbolizes the Torah, and the rain that saturates the land represents the unrestricted flow of divine wisdom that revives the world after the barrenness caused by the kelipot.
The “vats overflowing with oil” represent the highest levels of divine consciousness:
Oil (Shemen): Symbolizes the deepest secrets of Torah—Sod. The overflowing vats indicate that the mysteries of the divine will no longer be concealed but will saturate the world, illuminating all with the light of Mashiach.
The Unity of Hashem’s Name and the Redemption of the Nations
The ultimate goal of this process is revealed in the prophecy of Zechariah:
“And Hashem will be king over all the earth; on that day Hashem will be One and His Name One.” (Zechariah 14:9)
With the destruction of Gog and Magog—symbolizing the defeat of Leviathan and the kelipot—all barriers to divine light are removed. The serpent’s power, once a force of concealment and ego, is transformed into a vessel for godliness:
The Serpent’s Power Redeemed: The energy of the kelipot is not annihilated but transformed into holiness, fulfilling the mystery of the shared gematria of Nachash (358) and Mashiach (358). The once-deceptive power of the serpent becomes a vehicle for divine light and truth.
The Vessels of Wrath: The kelipot that could not be rectified are shattered, allowing the sparks of holiness within them to ascend and be integrated into the divine order.
This transformation leads not only to Israel’s redemption but to the salvation of all nations:
The Nations Freed from Leviathan: Without the concealment of Leviathan, the nations are free to see the truth of Hashem’s sovereignty. The removal of the kelipot enables the gentile nations to cling to Hashem and His Name, fulfilling the prophecy:
“And many peoples shall go and say: Come, let us go up to the mountain of Hashem, to the house of the G-d of Jacob, and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.” (Isaiah 2:3)
The Full Realization of Mashiach Consciousness
The restoration of grain, wine, and oil in Joel’s prophecy represents the complete manifestation of Mashiach consciousness:
Grain: Sustenance, symbolizing the restoration of the physical world to holiness.
Wine: Joy and wisdom, symbolizing the spread of divine knowledge.
Oil: The secrets of Torah, symbolizing the highest revelations of Mashiach.
These three stages lead to the full realization of divine unity, where Hashem’s light fills all realms:
“I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” (Joel 2:28)
In this state, all humanity becomes a vessel for divine light, fulfilling the ultimate purpose of creation—to transform the world into a dwelling place for Hashem’s presence. The serpent’s energy is redeemed, the nations are liberated from deception, and Hashem’s sovereignty is universally acknowledged.
May we merit to see this fulfillment speedily and in our days, when the knowledge of Hashem will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea, and Hashem’s Name will be One.
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