rosh Summary and Overview
Bible Dictionaries at a Glance
rosh in Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Ezek. 38:2, 3; 39:1) is rendered "chief" in the Authorized Version. It is left untranslated as a proper name in the Revised Version. Some have supposed that the Russians are here meant, as one of the three Scythian tribes of whom Magog was the prince. They invaded the land of Judah in the days of Josiah. Herodotus, the Greek historian, says: "For twenty-eight years the Scythians ruled over Asia, and things were turned upside down by their violence and contempt." (See BETHSHEAN T0000568.)
rosh in Schaff's Bible Dictionary
ROSH (head, chief). 1. A son of Benjamin. Gen 46:21. 2. As occurring in Eze 38:2-3; Eze 39:1, the word has been translated in our version, but is probably a proper name, denoting one of the three great Scythian tribes of which Magog was the head.
rosh in Fausset's Bible Dictionary
"Chief" (Ezekiel 38:2-3; Ezekiel 39:1). Rather, as not rosh but nasi is the head of a nomadic tribe (Genesis 23:6), "Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal," three great Scythian tribes of which gosh is the first. Rosh is the tribe N. of the Taurus range and near Rha or Volga which gives them their name; the earliest trace of the Russ nation. A Latin chronicle A.D. 839 (Bayer, Origines Russ., 1726, p. 409) is the first modern mention of this now mighty people. Tiras stands for Rosh with Meshech and Tubal (Genesis 10:2). Others state that the modern Russians have assumed their name from Rhos, the Araxes, though their proper ancient name was Slavi or Wends. Hengstenberg supports KJV: "Magog was Gog's original kingdom, though he acquired also Meshech and Tubal, so as to be called their 'chief prince.'"