Psalm 83:6

Translations

Modern

…the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites,

Traditional

The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;

Literal

…the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites,

Latin

…tabernacula Idumæorum et Ismahelitæ, Moab et Agareni,

Original

Hebrew

English

…the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites,

Notes

Psalms 83:6–7

The Edomites were descendants of Esau. They lived southeast of Judah (see Genesis 25:30; 32:3; 36:1–8).
The Ishmaelites were descendants of Hagar. They lived in the desert.
The Moabites and Ammonites were descendants of Lot. They lived east of Israel and Judah.
The Hagrites might have lived north of the Ammonites (1 Chronicles 5:10).

Psalms 83:5–8

they form an alliance: The allies agreed to fight against God and his people. The nations named in this alliance lived around Israel and Judah.

Psalms 83:1–18

This community lament asks God to rescue his people and give them victory. The short and direct poetry suggests a time of great trouble. A strong group of nations plans to destroy Israel (Psalm 83:1–4) and joins together against God (83:5–8).

The psalmist remembers what happened to other enemies who attacked Israel in the past (Psalm 83:9–12). He prays that the same thing will happen to these enemies (83:13–16), so that they will recognize God’s power and give him honor (83:17–18).

It is not clear whether this psalm refers to one specific historical event or whether it gathers together several nations as a poetic picture of Israel’s enemies.

Theme notes and profiles

Lot The Amalekites

Related verses

1 Chronicles 5:10
During the days of Saul they waged war against the Hagrites, who were defeated at their hands, and they occupied the dwellings of the Hagrites throughout the region east of Gilead.
Psalm 137:7
Remember, O LORD, the sons of Edom on the day Jerusalem fell: “Destroy it,” they said, “tear it down to its foundations!”
2 Chronicles 20:1
After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 20:10–11
And now, here are the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt. So Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them.
Genesis 25:12–18
This is the account of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham.
1 Chronicles 5:19–20
They waged war against the Hagrites, as well as Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab.

People

Hagri: A Gadite, father of Mibhar, one of David's mighty men Ishmael: Son of Abraham and Hagar; father of Arab tribes

Places

Edom: Descendants of Esau; enemy nation southeast of Israel Moab: Ancient kingdom east of the Dead Sea in Jordan

Glossary

Asaph Hagrite Music Psalms, Book of

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Armies: March in Ranks: Confederated Hagar: Descendants of Ishmaelites: Enemies to Israel Moabites: Always Hostile to Israel The Edomites: Confederated with Enemies of Israel Against Jehoshaphat The Ishmaelites: Called: Hagarenes The Ishmaelites: Often Confederate Against Israel

Psalm 83:6

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