Meshech and Tubal are two ancient nations mentioned several times in the Old Testament of the Bible. They are almost always mentioned together, indicating they had close relations. Understanding who Meshech and Tubal were provides insight into biblical prophecy and geography.
Here is a summary of the key information the Bible provides about Meshech and Tubal:
- They were sons of Japheth and grandsons of Noah (Genesis 10:2).
- They settled in the area southeast of the Black Sea after the Flood (Ezekiel 27:13, 32:26).
- They likely represent progenitors of tribes located in that region.
- Along with other nations, they traded with the Phoenicians (Ezekiel 27:13).
- They are often mentioned alongside Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38:2-3, 39:1).
- They will participate in an end times attack on Israel led by Gog (Ezekiel 38:2-6).
Examining these key passages in more detail will provide a fuller picture of who Meshech and Tubal were and their role in biblical prophecy.
Descendants of Japheth
The first mention of Meshech and Tubal is in Genesis 10, which describes the descendants of Noah’s three sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth after the Flood. Verse 2 states:
The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. (Genesis 10:2 ESV)
This indicates Meshech and Tubal were brothers, both sons of Japheth. They were grandsons of Noah and lived sometime after the Flood, likely born shortly after it. As sons of Japheth, they were ancestors of many Indo-European peoples who settled northern areas after the Flood.
Settled Areas Southeast of the Black Sea
Two key passages provide geographical clues related to where Meshech and Tubal settled after the Flood. Ezekiel 27:13 states:
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech traded with you; they exchanged human beings and vessels of bronze for your merchandise. (Ezekiel 27:13 ESV)
This verse describes trading partners of the Phoenicians. The context is the city of Tyre, a major Phoenician port on the Mediterranean Sea. Tyre traded extensively with nations around the Mediterranean and beyond. This verse indicates Meshech and Tubal were located close enough to trade with the Phoenicians.
A clearer indication of their location comes from Ezekiel 32:26 which states:
Meshech, Tubal, and all their multitude are there, their graves surrounding it, all of them uncircumcised, killed by the sword; for they spread terror in the land of the living. (Ezekiel 32:26 ESV)
This verse describes nations conquered by Babylon who were buried in a common grave. It situates Meshech and Tubal in relation to nations the Babylonians defeated. This points to an area southeast of the Black Sea, in modern-day Turkey.
From these verses, scholars conclude Meshech and Tubal likely settled in the area of Cappadocia and Pontus along the southern coast of the Black Sea after the Flood. They represent progenitors of various related tribes that inhabited the region.
Traded with the Phoenicians
As mentioned, Ezekiel 27:13 indicates Meshech and Tubal were trading partners with the Phoenicians. Verse 12 also names other trading partners of Phoenicia:
Tarshish did business with you because of your great wealth of every kind; silver, iron, tin, and lead they exchanged for your wares. Javan, Tubal, and Meshech traded with you; they exchanged human beings and vessels of bronze for your merchandise. (Ezekiel 27:12-13 ESV)
These nations traded raw materials like metals, slaves, and bronze objects in exchange for the manufactured goods produced by Phoenician artisans and industries. Tyre’s ships likely accessed trade routes along the Black Sea to trade with inland kingdoms like Meshech and Tubal.
The goods Meshech and Tubal traded may have included copper, iron ore, and slaves captured in warfare with neighboring tribes. Their access to mineral resources in the Caucasus Mountain regions helped facilitate trade.
Mentioned Alongside Gog and Magog
Meshech and Tubal are frequently mentioned in connection with two other enigmatic nations, Gog and Magog. Ezekiel 38:2-3 states:
Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. (Ezekiel 38:2-3 ESV)
Here Gog is called the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Magog refers to the land this leader is from. Some scholars believe Magog refers to ancient Scythians north of the Black Sea. Gog likely refers to a leader who will arise from these nations to lead them in endtime events.
A similar mention occurs in Ezekiel 39:1 regarding Gog and Magog:
And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. (Ezekiel 39:1 ESV)
These passages depict Meshech and Tubal closely allied with Gog and Magog. They will unite behind the prophetic figure of Gog as leader in apocalyptic events. Some scholars believe “Rosh” should be included in Ezekiel 38:2, referring to Russia. If so, this could point to an alliance between Russia and Caucasus regions.
Part of Gog’s End Time Attack on Israel
A key endtime prophecy involving Meshech and Tubal is found in Ezekiel 38. This chapter describes a future attack on Israel led by Gog of Magog. It lists Meshech and Tubal among the nations participating in this attack:
The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great host, all of them with buckler and shield, wielding swords […] Persia, Cush, and Put are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all his hordes; Bethtogarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you. (Ezekiel 38:1-6 ESV)
This prophecy describes a confederacy of nations conspiring to invade and plunder Israel. Meshech and Tubal are included alongside other regions like Persia, Cush, Put, and Gomer. Some scholars link these nations to modern-day Russia and Islamic countries surrounding Israel.
The attack is led by Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. But God intervenes to defeat the invasion and protect Israel. Later chapters describe the destruction of Gog’s armies and God’s deliverance of Israel.
The prophesied attack may relate to the battle of Armageddon described in Revelation. Or it could reference an earlier attack on Israel before that final end time battle. In either case, Meshech and Tubal will likely participate by providing forces under Gog’s leadership.
Obscure Nations, Important Symbolism
While Meshech and Tubal are relatively obscure nations to modern readers, they held symbolic importance to prophets like Ezekiel. By mentioning them alongside larger powers like Persia and Cush, the prophecies depicted an alliance of Israel’s enemies united against God’s people.
Including small tribal groups from the Black Sea frontier served to represent nations from farther north and south conspiring against Israel. This gave a complete picture of endtime enemies attacking from all directions.
Locating Meshech and Tubal near the Black Sea also served as an origin point for some of these eschatological enemies. The remote mountainous regions may represent the symbolic epicenter from which evil forces will flow in the last days.
So references to Meshech and Tubal gave important symbolic significance to Ezekiel’s prophecies. They helped portray all Israel’s enemies, even obscure northern tribes, joining together in the final endtime battle.
Identification With Indo-European Tribes
Scholars have attempted to correlate Meshech and Tubal with known historic tribes and locations. As descendants of Japheth who settled northeast of Israel, they likely represent Indo-European groups living in the mountainous regions southeast of the Black Sea.
Based on ancient texts and similarities of their names, Meshech may correlate to the Moschoi tribe located in the Caucasus Mountains south of the Black Sea. Tubal likely refers to the Tabali people centered on the Tubal River in eastern Asia Minor.
Related tribes sprang from these groups across the mountainous Black Sea region. Their descendants may be found among later peoples of the Caucasus like the Georgians, Armenians, and Circassians of modern times.
Some propose Meshech refers to the Muscovites and Tubal refers to Siberia, pointing to Russia as the land of Gog. But more likely they represent earlier tribal groups in the general Black Sea region.
Represent All Israel’s Enemies
While details about Meshech and Tubal remain shrouded in history, prophecies make their main purpose clear. By mentioning them alongside larger powers, the prophecies symbolize Israel’s enemies from all directions uniting against them.
Obscure references to tribes like Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Bethtogarmah represent the remotest outposts surrounding Israel. They depict armies from even the farthest lands and smallest tribes joining in endtime assaults against God’s people.
This will occur not only through human conspiracy, but ultimately by God’s sovereign direction. The prophecies assure that no matter the odds or how completely Israel is surrounded, God will defend them and gain victory over the attacking forces.
So Meshech and Tubal provide symbolic representation of all Israel’s enemies gathered together in the final day. Their mention in prophecies gives hope that no matter how numerous the foes, God will prevail and triumph completely over Israel’s adversaries.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key points to understand about Meshech and Tubal:
- They were sons of Japheth and grandsons of Noah who settled northeast of Israel after the Flood.
- They likely became progenitors of tribes living around the Black Sea region.
- They were trading partners with the Phoenicians, exchanging metals, slaves, and other goods.
- They are frequently mentioned alongside Magog and Gog, symbolic of Israel’s remote endtime enemies.
- Prophecies depict them participating in an end times attack on Israel led by Gog.
- Though obscure tribes, they represent even the farthest nations conspiring against Israel.
- Mentioning them symbolizes all of Israel’s enemies united against them by God’s sovereign direction.
Understanding the historical and prophetic significance of Meshech and Tubal provides insight into God’s plans for Israel and the symbolic role given to even small, distant nations.
Conclusion
This examination of Meshech and Tubal provides an overview of their background and mention in biblical prophecies. Though obscure to modern readers, these ancient tribal groups carried important symbolic meaning for prophets like Ezekiel.
Their inclusion alongside major powers of the day depicted Israel’s enemies, even from the remotest lands, conspiring against God’s people. But this was by God’s sovereign direction so He could gloriously deliver Israel and gain victory over the attackers.
The prophecies provide assurance that no matter how numerous or vast the forces assembled against Israel, God will prevail on their behalf. So Meshech and Tubal have a continuing purpose representing God’s protection and faithfulness to deliver His people, even amidst overwhelming odds.