Psalms 83:4-7
They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!” For they conspire with one accord; against you they make a covenant— the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's really striking here is the absolute finality they desire – not just defeating Israel in battle, but erasing its very existence and memory. This isn't just about conquest; it's a radical attempt to obliterate a people's identity and right to exist, a chilling echo of genocidal impulses throughout history.
This psalm describes a desperate situation where multiple nations have formed a secret alliance with the express purpose of utterly destroying Israel as a people, erasing its very name from history. The lyrics reveal their malicious intent and confidence in their success, setting the stage for a fervent prayer to God for intervention against this existential threat.
Have you ever felt like the world wanted to erase who you are? This verse reveals a chillingly determined plot, not just to defeat, but to completely obliterate a people.
The enemies in Psalm 83 aren't just looking for a military victory. Their goal is total annihilation. The phrasing, “cut them off from being a nation” and “let the name of Israel be remembered no more,” points to a desire to erase their very existence.
Beyond Defeat:
What drives such extreme hatred? This verse reveals an enemy fueled by both deep-seated malice and a dangerous confidence in their success.
The enemies’ words aren't just boasts; they reveal a profound malice and a dangerous self-assurance. They believe their plan is not only possible but inevitable.
The Twin Engines of Destruction:
Understand the original words
goy · Hebrew Noun
A corporate political entity defined by common ancestry, law, and territory. In the context of Israel, it is the identity through which God manifests His kingdom on earth.
shem · Hebrew Noun
The historical and spiritual identity of God’s covenant people. To destroy the "name" is to attempt to erase their existence and the memory of God’s work through them from human history.
berit · Hebrew Noun
A solemn, binding agreement or treaty between parties. When made against God or His people, it represents a malicious, formal alliance designed to carry out evil intent.
’o-hă-lê · Hebrew Noun
Portable, temporary dwellings used by nomadic or semi-nomadic peoples; in a biblical context, often refers to the people groups living in them or their lifestyle.
Psalm 83 reflects a time when multiple nations, driven by deep-seated animosity, formed a coalition with the explicit goal of obliterating Israel as a nation and erasing its memory. This wasn't just about political conquest, but a spiritual and existential threat, echoing through Israel's history from ancient invasions to the post-exilic period.
c. 875 BC
Syrian-Ephraimite War Begins
King Rezin of Aram (Syria) and King Pekah of Israel unite against Judah, aiming to depose King Ahaz and install a puppet ruler. This marks a period of intense regional conflict.
734-732 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Israel and Judah
Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria invades the region, conquering many northern Israelite cities and deporting inhabitants. He also forces Judah into vassalage, highlighting the overwhelming power of major empires.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Destruction of Northern Israel
The Assyrian Empire under Shalmaneser V and Sargon II conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, destroying its capital Samaria and deporting a significant portion of its population, effectively ending the northern kingdom.
701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many cities but failing to capture Jerusalem. The siege and surrounding events illustrate the constant threat to Judah's existence from powerful neighbors.
This passage describes Haman's malicious plot to annihilate the Jewish people, mirroring the desire in Psalm 83:4 to wipe out Israel as a nation and erase its memory.
Jeremiah 11:19Jeremiah speaks of enemies plotting against him and his people with the intent to 'cut them off from the land of the living, that their name may be no more remembered,' which is a powerful echo of the destructive ambition stated in Psalm 83:4.
Deuteronomy 32:26Moses, reflecting on Israel's potential future disobedience, prophesies that God would 'scatter them afar' and 'make their remembrance cease from among men,' highlighting the existential threat of being forgotten that the enemies in Psalm 83:4 sought to impose.
Exodus 17:14In the context of warfare against Amalek, God tells Moses to write that He will 'utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven,' revealing a divine precedent for remembering and acting against those who seek to obliterate a people's existence.
Romans 11:25Paul discusses the future salvation of Israel, contrasting the enemies' desire to 'wipe them out' with God's enduring plan. This passage offers hope that despite such threats, Israel's name and existence will ultimately be preserved, not forgotten.
pulpitPsalms 83:4: "They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance."
Verse 4. - They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation. This was the general object of Israel's enemies at all times (2 Kings 24:2; 2 Chronicles 20:11; Psalm 138:7; 1 Macc. 3:35 1 Macc. 5:2), and thus does not help much towards determining the date of the occasion here spoken cf. That the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance (comp…
clarkePsalms 83:4: "They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance."
Let us cut them off - Let us exterminate the whole race, that there may not be a record of them on the face of the earth. And their scheme was well laid: eight or ten different nations united themselves in a firm bond to do this; and they had kept their purpose so secret that the king of Judah does not appear to have heard of it till his territories were actua…
What's really striking here is the absolute finality they desire – not just defeating Israel in battle, but erasing its very existence and memory. This isn't just about conquest; it's a radical attempt to obliterate a people's identity and right to exist, a chilling echo of genocidal impulses throughout history.
This psalm describes a desperate situation where multiple nations have formed a secret alliance with the express purpose of utterly destroying Israel as a people, erasing its very name from history. The lyrics reveal their malicious intent and confidence in their success, setting the stage for a fervent prayer to God for intervention against this existential threat.
This psalm describes a desperate situation where multiple nations have formed a secret alliance with the express purpose of utterly destroying Israel as a people, erasing its very name from history. The lyrics reveal their malicious intent and confidence in their success, setting the stage for a fervent prayer to God for intervention against this existential threat.
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‘am · Hebrew Noun
A group of people or nations, often implying those outside the covenant of Israel; used to denote the various peoples united against Israel in this context.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Judah, forcing King Jehoiakim into vassalage and deporting some of the royal family and educated elite, including Daniel, to Babylon.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar II destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This event marks a devastating turning point for the Jewish people.
c. 5th Century BC— this verse
Post-Exilic Period and Renewed Threats
Following the return from Babylonian exile, the Jewish people faced ongoing threats and hostility from surrounding nations, including Samaritans, Arabs, and Philistines, who sought to hinder the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple.
"They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!” For they conspire with one accord; against you they make a covenant— the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and…" — What's really striking here is the absolute finality they desire – not just defeating Israel in battle, but erasing its very existence and memory. This isn't just about conquest; it's a radical attem…
