the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah
English Standard Version (ESV)
The mention of "tents" highlights the nomadic and transient nature of some of these enemy groups, like the Ishmaelites and Hagarenes. This wasn't just a formal army, but a gathering of tribes, emphasizing their fierce, unrooted opposition against God's people.
the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a psalm detailing a vast confederacy of nations plotting against Israel. The psalmist lists these enemies, describing them as pitching their tents together, signifying a massive, unified invasion force. These groups, including Edomites, Ishmaelites, Moabites, and Hagarenes, have formed a pact with the specific goal of obliterating Israel from existence.
Ever wondered about the specific groups mentioned in Scripture as enemies of God's people? This verse names a few key players in ancient conflicts.
Psalms 83:6 lists four groups: Edomites, Ishmaelites, Moabites, and Hagarenes.
These groups, with their own histories and grievances, formed part of a larger coalition aiming to destroy Israel.
Why does the psalm mention 'tents' instead of just the people? This detail offers a glimpse into their way of life and the nature of the threat.
The mention of "tents" (or "tabernacles" in some translations) is significant for a few reasons:
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These weren't just political rivals; their hostility had a deeper root. This psalm reveals a spiritual dimension to the conflict.
The critical point in Psalm 83 is not just that these nations were enemies of Israel, but that their opposition was ultimately directed against God Himself.
Understand the original words
’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.
‘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.
se-lāh · Hebrew Noun/Interjection
A musical or liturgical term found in the Psalms, likely indicating a pause, a crescendo, or a call to reflect on what has just been sung or read.
zĕ-rō-a‘ · Hebrew Noun
In Scripture, an arm is often a metaphor for power, strength, or ability to act; a 'strong arm' signifies the exertion of force or authority.
This Psalm likely arose during a period of intense foreign threat, possibly around the Babylonian exile. The enemies listed - Edom, Ishmaelites, Moab, and Hagarenes - represent long-standing adversaries of Israel, whose combined hostility during this crisis would have felt overwhelming, driving the psalmist to seek God's intervention against this powerful, seemingly unified front.
c. 1010 BC
David consolidates kingdom
King David's military victories brought relative peace and established Israel's borders, including bringing Edom under Israelite control.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom divides
After Solomon's death, the unified kingdom split into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah, leading to increased regional instability.
c. 734-732 BC
Assyrian invasions of Israel
The Neo-Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III began conquering territories in the region, including parts of the northern Kingdom of Israel, increasing regional anxiety and conflict.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its population and scattering them, a stark warning to the remaining southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon began deporting Judah's elite to Babylon, marking the start of the decline leading to Jerusalem's eventual fall.
c. 587-586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonian Empire destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population. This event deeply traumatized the Jewish people.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus's Edict of Return
The Persian Empire conquered Babylon, and Cyrus the Great issued an edict allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands.
This passage details the descendants of Ishmael and Keturah (who is sometimes identified with Hagar), the ancestors of the Ishmaelites and Hagarenes mentioned in Psalms 83:6. It provides the genealogical background for these groups.
Numbers 22:1-6This text recounts Balak, the king of Moab, hiring Balaam to curse Israel. It shows the historical animosity of Moab towards Israel, paralleling their inclusion in the enemies' coalition in Psalms 83.
This passage describes a war fought by the Reubenites against the Hagrites (Hagarenes), showing a historical conflict between an Israelite tribe and these eastern Arab tribes, similar to the context in Psalms 83.
This prophetic oracle against Edom highlights their consistent hostility towards Israel and Judah, aligning with the portrayal of Edom as a persistent enemy in Psalms 83.
pulpitPsalms 83:6: "The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;"
Verse 6. - The tabernacles of Edom. Edom was always among the bitterest of Israel's enemies, and naturally took a part in almost every combination that was made against them. Though sometimes subjugated (2 Samuel 8:14; 1 Kings 11:15, 16), it continued hostile during the whole period of Israelite and Jewish history. Hence the constant denunciations of the prophets (Isaiah 11:14; Jeremiah 27:3; Jeremiah 49:7-…
clarkePsalms 83:6: "The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;"
The tabernacles of Edom - The tents of these different people are seen in the grand encampment. Tents are probably mentioned because it seas the custom of some of these people, particularly the lshmaelites, to live a migratory or wandering life; having no fixed habitation, but always abiding in tents. Their posterity remain to the present day, and act and live in the same manner. Hagarenes - These people dw…
The mention of "tents" highlights the nomadic and transient nature of some of these enemy groups, like the Ishmaelites and Hagarenes. This wasn't just a formal army, but a gathering of tribes, emphasizing their fierce, unrooted opposition against God's people.
This passage is part of a psalm detailing a vast confederacy of nations plotting against Israel. The psalmist lists these enemies, describing them as pitching their tents together, signifying a massive, unified invasion force. These groups, including Edomites, Ishmaelites, Moabites, and Hagarenes, have formed a pact with the specific goal of obliterating Israel from existence.
This passage is part of a psalm detailing a vast confederacy of nations plotting against Israel. The psalmist lists these enemies, describing them as pitching their tents together, signifying a massive, unified invasion force. These groups, including Edomites, Ishmaelites, Moabites, and Hagarenes, have formed a pact with the specific goal of obliterating Israel from existence.
"the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah" — The mention of "tents" highlights the nomadic and transient nature of some of these enemy groups, like the Ishmaelites and Hagarenes. This wasn't just a formal army, but a gathering of tribes, emphas…
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Last reviewed October 2026