What does 'land of unwalled villages' mean in Ezekiel 38?
In Ezekiel 38, the phrase means a nation dwelling without visible defenses—no city walls or army—because its security is guaranteed by an outside political and military power. Historically, walls were a community's first line of defense, so unwalled villages symbolize Israel's complacent reliance on a treaty rather than its own military strength.
Les explains that Ezekiel's "land of unwalled villages" pictures Israel in a condition of no real visible defense. In ancient times, the city wall was a community's first line of defense, so unwalled villages imply vulnerability. Yet the context says Israel's borders are guaranteed by a treaty with an outside political and military power, so she no longer has to maintain a tremendous army and air force. She feels safe and almost Messiah-like, no longer fearing her enemies. This complacency is what the Northern Confederation of Nations, thought to be headed up by Russia, immediately takes advantage of.