prepare for thy self] Signifying that all the people of these countries should assemble themselves against the Church of the Jews, and that the land of Gog and Magog by Grecians should afflict them, with great helps from many countreys. a guard unto them] That is, be thou their Emperour to keep them from hostile assault. Some say that Gog should compasse the mountains of Israel, as in the next verse, with the multitude of his armies, and think to hold all the Jews as shut in prison or inclosed in a pit, and that the kings of Syria have done so, all histories testifie, so verse the 9. Others say, an ironicall speech, as if he should say, Defend them, if it may be, from my power, and battell which I will give them.