Psalm 83:8 kjv
Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
Psalm 83:8 nkjv
Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. Selah
Psalm 83:8 niv
Even Assyria has joined them to reinforce Lot's descendants.
Psalm 83:8 esv
Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah
Psalm 83:8 nlt
Assyria has joined them, too,
and is allied with the descendants of Lot. Interlude
Psalm 83 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 83:5-7 | "For they have consulted together with one consent;... Moab and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek..." | Lists the initial enemies confederate against Israel. |
| Ps 2:1-3 | "Why do the heathen rage... against the LORD, and against his anointed..." | General principle of nations conspiring against God and His people. |
| Isa 7:1-9 | "And it came to pass... Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the king of Israel... to make war..." | Example of an historical coalition against Judah. |
| Jer 48:42 | "And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD." | God's judgment prophesied against Moab, one of the "children of Lot." |
| Jer 49:6 | "And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon..." | Prophecy of God's future dealings with Ammon, one of the "children of Lot." |
| Ezek 25:3, 6-7 | "Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them... because thou hast clapped thine hands..." | God's judgment against Ammon and Moab for their enmity against Israel. |
| Isa 10:5-19 | "O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger..." | God's use and subsequent judgment of Assyria as an instrument of His wrath. |
| Ezek 38:2-6 | "Son of man, set thy face against Gog... and many people with thee..." | A prophecy of a future, large-scale coalition against Israel, echoing 83's theme. |
| Neh 4:7-8 | "But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard..." | Post-exilic example of regional enemies combining against Israel. |
| 2 Chr 20:1-3 | "It came to pass... the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came..." | Historical instance of Moab and Ammon combining to fight Judah. |
| Dan 2:21 | "He changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings..." | God's sovereign control over all nations and their rulers. |
| Zech 14:2-3 | "For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle..." | Prophecy of nations gathering against Jerusalem in the end times. |
| Ps 33:10 | "The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought..." | God's ability to frustrate the plans of hostile nations. |
| Ps 83:13-17 | "O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind... that men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH..." | The Psalmist's plea for God to act, resulting in His glory being known among nations. |
| Joel 3:12-14 | "Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about." | God's ultimate judgment on hostile nations. |
| Ps 76:12 | "He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth." | God's power over earthly rulers and their might. |
| Rom 8:31 | "If God be for us, who can be against us?" | New Testament affirmation of God's ultimate protection for His people. |
| Rev 16:14 | "For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle..." | Revelation's description of nations gathering against God's purposes in the last days. |
| Gen 19:36-38 | "Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father... The elder bare a son, and called his name Moab... The younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Ben-ammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon..." | Explains the origin of Moab and Ammon, "children of Lot." |
| Isa 14:24-27 | "The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass..." | God's determined purpose regarding Assyria and its destruction. |
| Ps 105:14-15 | "He suffered no man to do them wrong... saying, Touch not mine anointed..." | God's covenant protection over His people against any aggressors. |
Psalm 83 verses
Psalm 83 8 Meaning
Psalm 83:8 describes a specific participant in the confederacy of nations arrayed against God's people: Asshur (Assyria). This verse signifies the inclusion of a major world power, far beyond Israel's immediate neighbors, in the hostile alliance. This powerful empire's decision to "join" with the children of Lot (Ammon and Moab) elevates the threat, making it a formidable and extensive challenge. "Selah" marks a pause for contemplation on the gravity of this alliance and its implications. The verse highlights the overwhelming nature of the opposition God's people faced, requiring divine intervention.
Psalm 83 8 Context
Psalm 83 is a prophetic communal lament. The entire psalm is a desperate cry to God for intervention against a specific confederacy of ten nations identified in verses 6-8, who have allied "with one accord" (v. 5) to eradicate Israel from being a nation and to possess the dwellings of God (v. 12). Historically, the mentioned nations spanned various periods of Israelite history, suggesting either a historical "worst-case scenario" representing all of Israel's historic enemies, a proleptic vision of end-time adversaries, or a prayer covering perpetual spiritual hostility. Verse 8 specifically names "Asshur" (Assyria), a superpower known for its military might and aggressive expansion, aligning itself with "the children of Lot" (Moab and Ammon), who were perennial, proximate foes. The inclusion of Assyria underscores the immense threat posed to Israel, implying a unified effort designed to utterly destroy them, hence the urgency of the psalmist's prayer for God to vindicate His own Name and people.
Psalm 83 8 Word analysis
Asshur (אַשּׁוּר - Ashshur): This refers to Assyria, a significant empire in the ancient Near East, renowned for its military prowess and cruelty. Its inclusion highlights the vast geographical and military scope of the confederacy against Israel. Its presence in the list signifies not just a local skirmish but a regional, potentially global (for the ancient world), threat, showing that even distant, powerful empires align themselves against God's people. This points to a deeper spiritual dimension of opposition against God Himself.
also is joined with them (חָבַר בָּם - chavar bam): The Hebrew verb chavar means "to join," "to be allied," "to bind oneself to," or "to league together." It signifies a deliberate act of forming a united front. The phrase indicates that Assyria actively became a part of the existing confederacy listed in previous verses. This is a crucial point as it shows a voluntary hostile association, not just coincidental proximity, solidifying the combined might and malice of the enemies. It highlights a common purpose against God's chosen nation.
they have helped (עָזְרוּ - 'azaru): The verb 'azar means "to help," "to support," or "to come to the aid of." In this context, it implies active military or logistical support. It signifies a concrete contribution to the war effort by these powerful entities. This shows the children of Lot, specifically, received direct aid from the mighty Assyrian Empire, escalating their threat from local antagonists to components of a powerful, externally-supported military coalition. The "help" here is malevolent, aimed at Israel's destruction.
the children of Lot (בְּנֵי-לוֹט - benei-Lot): This refers to the nations of Ammon and Moab, descendants of Lot (Genesis 19:36-38). These nations were Israel's close neighbors but often antagonists, perpetually engaged in conflict, raids, and even cultic provocations against Israel (e.g., Numbers 22, Judges 3). Their historical animosity is rooted in kinship but manifests in recurring hostility. The alliance of a world power like Assyria with these traditionally antagonistic but smaller nations amplified their threat, transforming a local rivalry into a wider, more dangerous existential challenge for Israel.
Selah (סֶלָה - selah): This term, found frequently in Psalms and Habakkuk, is a musical or liturgical notation. Its precise meaning is debated, but common interpretations suggest it calls for a pause for reflection, contemplation, a raising of the voice, or an instrumental interlude. In Psalm 83:8, positioned after the description of this fearsome alliance, "Selah" urges the reader or singer to pause and grasp the gravity, immensity, and strategic depth of the threat. It emphasizes the profound seriousness of Assyria's joining with Israel's immediate enemies, preparing the listener for the desperate prayer that follows.
Psalm 83 8 Bonus section
The mention of Asshur (Assyria) in this ancient psalm can be viewed as both a reflection of specific historical periods of Assyrian aggression against Israel (e.g., the destruction of the northern kingdom in 722 BC) and a broader, timeless symbol of vast, external powers joining in spiritual conflict against God's people. This makes the psalm relevant for future generations facing similar large-scale opposition. The phrase "children of Lot" connects to ancient narratives of sibling rivalry and perennial animosity stemming from their very origin, making their involvement a deeply rooted part of Israel's struggles. The coalition, as a whole, represents an ultimate test of faith, prompting God's people to rely entirely on His power when all human hope seems lost. It implies that true security lies not in political alliances or military might, but solely in God's divine intervention, turning attention from earthly foes to the supremacy of Yahweh.
Psalm 83 8 Commentary
Psalm 83:8 concludes the enumeration of the confederate nations plotting Israel's destruction. The inclusion of Asshur (Assyria) transforms the conflict from a regional squabble involving immediate neighbors like Ammon and Moab (the children of Lot) into an existential threat from a superpower. This alliance represents a combined force of longstanding, deeply hostile neighbors strengthened by the overwhelming might of a distant empire. The specific mention of "they have helped the children of Lot" highlights the direct support provided by the formidable Assyrians to Israel's close adversaries, underscoring the formidable nature of the conspiracy. This verse sets the stage for the psalmist's impassioned plea for divine intervention, demonstrating the overwhelming human odds against God's people, and consequently, the absolute necessity for God Himself to act decisively to preserve His name and heritage. "Selah" demands a moment to internalize the profound danger described, amplifying the spiritual weight and urgent cry for God's action against those who conspire not just against Israel, but against God's chosen plan for humanity.