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

PSALMS 83:7KJV
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Psalms 83:7 (KJV)

What does Psalms 83:7 mean?

Psalms 83:7 lists several groups—Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, the Philistines, and the inhabitants of Tyre—who are named as part of a coalition against Israel. The verse is part of a larger passage where enemies of Israel are being identified by the psalmist as those plotting together.

The speaker is the psalmist Asaph, addressing God in prayer. The context is a plea for God to notice and act against the many nations uniting against Israel. By naming these specific peoples, the verse highlights the seriousness and breadth of the threat facing Israel at that time, showing that it was not just one enemy, but a confederation of many.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 83:7

  • גְּבָל (Gebal, transliterated "Gəḇāl"): This refers to a region or people, often associated with a city north of Israel. Their inclusion shows the wide geographic range of the coalition.
  • עַמּוֹן (Ammon, transliterated "Ammon"): Ammon was a neighboring nation east of Israel, frequently in conflict with Israel in the Old Testament.
  • עֲמָלֵק (Amalek, transliterated "Amalek"): Amalek was an ancient enemy of Israel, often remembered for their hostility during the Israelites' wilderness journey.
  • פְּלִשְׁתִּים (Philistines, transliterated "P’lishtim"): The Philistines were a well-known adversary of Israel, living along the coastal plain.
  • יֹשְׁבֵי (inhabitants, transliterated "yoshvei"): This word means "inhabitants" and is used here to refer specifically to the people living in Tyre.
  • צֹר (Tyre, transliterated "Tzor"): Tyre was a major Phoenician city to the north, known for its wealth and influence.

Why Psalms 83:7 matters

  • Psalms 83:7 shows that the threat to Israel was not isolated but involved a broad alliance of different peoples, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
  • By naming each group, the psalmist underlines the historical reality of Israel’s enemies, grounding the prayer in real-world conflicts rather than vague threats.
  • This verse helps the reader see the continuity of opposition faced by Israel throughout its history, connecting this psalm to earlier biblical narratives involving these same nations.

Where else these words appear

“Philistines” Hebrew H6429 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 15:14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.
  • Psalms 87:4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
  • Isaiah 14:29 Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.

“Amalek” Hebrew H6002 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 36:12 And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife.
  • Deuteronomy 25:19 Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.
  • 1 Samuel 15:7 And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.

“Tyre” Hebrew H6865 · used in 39 verses

  • Joshua 19:29 And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:
  • Isaiah 23:1 The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.
  • Ezekiel 27:2 Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;

“Ammon” Hebrew H5983 · used in 98 verses

  • Genesis 19:38 And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.
  • Judges 11:36 And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:9 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field.