Psalm 83 7

Psalm 83:7 kjv

Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;

Psalm 83:7 nkjv

Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;

Psalm 83:7 niv

Byblos, Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre.

Psalm 83:7 esv

Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;

Psalm 83:7 nlt

Gebalites, Ammonites, and Amalekites;
and people from Philistia and Tyre.

Psalm 83 verses

Psalm 83 7 Meaning

Psalm 83:7 identifies a specific list of nations that have joined a hostile confederacy against Israel, the people of God. These include Gebal (Byblos), Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, and the inhabitants of Tyre. This verse outlines key components of the broad alliance aiming to destroy the Israelite nation and blot out its memory from existence, which is perceived as an affront to God Himself. The psalmist appeals for God's divine intervention to nullify this collective threat and preserve His people and their unique identity.

Psalm 83 7 Context

Psalm 83 is a communal lament or imprecatory prayer from the sons of Asaph, pleading with God to act decisively against a formidable coalition of enemies intent on destroying Israel. The psalm's central petition, highlighted in verse 4, is that these enemies desire to "blot out the name of Israel, so that it be remembered no more." This not only signifies a military and ethnic annihilation but a challenge to God's covenant with His people and His very reputation among the nations. Verses 6-8 list the ten specific nations comprising this confederacy. Verse 7 specifically lists some of these geographically diverse antagonists, from north to south and east to west of Israel, signifying a comprehensive and pervasive threat. The historical context could refer to a specific invasion (some scholars suggest the time of King Jehoshaphat, 2 Chron 20) or, more likely, a representative grouping of Israel's perennial foes throughout their history, forming a spiritual "united front" against God's plan for His chosen people.

Psalm 83 7 Word analysis

• Gebal (גְּבַל, Gevál): Likely identified with Byblos, a major ancient Phoenician city north of Israel. Its inclusion is notable as Phoenicia sometimes had diplomatic ties with Israel (e.g., Hiram of Tyre with David and Solomon). Gebalites were skilled in shipbuilding and stone masonry. Their participation indicates a surprisingly widespread and possibly opportunistic alliance against Israel, breaking traditional allegiances or showcasing a shift in geopolitical dynamics.
• and Ammon (וְעַמּוֹן, ve'Amón): The Ammonites were descendants of Lot (Gen 19:38), residing east of the Jordan River. They were long-standing, aggressive adversaries of Israel, often characterized by their hostility (Judges, Saul, David, Nehemiah) and idol worship (Molech). Their inclusion in the hostile coalition is consistent with their historical enmity.
• and Amalek (וַעֲמָלֵק, va'Amaléq): Descendants of Esau, known as nomadic desert dwellers (Gen 36:12). They were cursed by God for their unprovoked attack on Israel during the Exodus (Exod 17:8-16), and God commanded that their memory be blotted out. Amalek here symbolizes ancient, persistent, and ruthless opposition to God's people. Their inclusion speaks to the depth and longevity of this spiritual warfare.
• Philistia (פְּלֶשֶׁת, Peleshet): Occupying the coastal plain southwest of Israel, the Philistines were one of Israel's most consistent and formidable enemies from the time of the Judges onward, constantly warring for land and dominance. Their presence in the list represents a persistent and direct threat to Israel's heartland.
• with (עִם, ʻim): This preposition indicates association or accompanying. It explicitly links Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre, forming a united front.
• inhabitants (יֹשְׁבֵי, yōshvê): Specifically refers to the residents or populace of a place. Using this rather than just the place name emphasizes that it is the people, with their decisions and actions, who are hostile and part of the conspiracy, highlighting a collective human malice against God's people.
• of Tyre (צֽוֹר, Tzôr): A major Phoenician port city on the Mediterranean coast, renowned for its wealth and maritime power. Though sometimes an ally of Israel, particularly during David and Solomon's reigns, Tyre also participated in the slave trade of God's people (Joel 3:4-8) and faced significant prophetic judgment (Ezekiel 26-28). Its inclusion here signifies its participation in this broad-based anti-Israel alliance, likely driven by economic opportunity or shared geopolitical interest against the rising power of Israel, making the coalition even more formidable due to Tyre's resources.

• Gebal and Ammon and Amalek: This phrase highlights a geographical spread from the northern Phoenician coast (Gebal) to the eastern Transjordanian plateau (Ammon) and the southern deserts (Amalek), signifying a wide-ranging alliance. The repetitive use of "and" ("Gebal and Ammon and Amalek") underscores the extensive nature and multiple participants in this dangerous confederation.
• Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre: This groups the western coastal powers together. The specific mention of "inhabitants of Tyre" suggests a deliberate decision on their part to join the conspiracy, underscoring active participation rather than a passive geographic designation. It signifies a strategic combination of land-based and sea-based hostile powers on Israel's western flank.

Psalm 83 7 Bonus section

• The diverse list of nations in Psalm 83, including those mentioned in verse 7, collectively demonstrates that the enmity against God's people transcends mere tribal disputes; it represents a comprehensive assault from all directions, reflective of a deeper spiritual malevolence seeking to frustrate God's redemptive plan.
• While some scholars attempt to pinpoint a precise historical event for the Psalm's setting (e.g., the coalition against Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20), the comprehensive and diverse nature of the nations listed, especially the unexpected alliance of some (like Tyre with the nomadic Amalekites), suggests that the psalm might be addressing a recurrent or generalized manifestation of perpetual opposition to Israel throughout its history, anticipating a final, ultimate confrontation of global forces against God's people in the end times (compare to Gog and Magog in Ezek 38-39 and Revelation 20).
• The primary motivation of these enemies, as articulated throughout Psalm 83, is not simply territorial gain or political dominance but the erasure of Israel's "name," aiming to nullify God's covenant with Abraham (Gen 12:2; 17:7-8). This makes the struggle profoundly theological, elevating the human conflict to a divine-human encounter, demanding God's active vindication of His name and promises.

Psalm 83 7 Commentary

Psalm 83:7 vividly catalogues the multifaceted nature of the opposition confronting God's people. It's not a singular threat but a conglomerate of historical adversaries: nomadic raiders like Amalek, settled kingdoms such as Ammon, established city-states like Philistia, and powerful mercantile empires such as Gebal and Tyre. The formation of such a broad coalition underscores the dire predicament of Israel, as these enemies, often with disparate interests, have united with the shared purpose of annihilating the nation and, by extension, eradicating the memory of God's name and covenant. The mention of Tyre, a former ally to Israel's great kings, speaks to the unpredictable and opportunistic nature of the global forces arrayed against God's agenda. This verse profoundly illustrates that spiritual warfare against God's elect often involves diverse, even unexpected, forces, united by their underlying antagonism to the divine purpose. The psalmist's urgent plea to God in light of these combined forces emphasizes that ultimate deliverance comes only from the sovereign intervention of the Lord who can scatter all such human counsel and designs.