Psa 83:2-10 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 2. Thine enemies make a tumult ] They are not merely the enemies of thy people , but they are the enemies of thyself , thy worship, ordinances, and laws: "They make a tumult," they throng together. They-have lifted up the head. ] They have made an irruption into the land of Judea, and encamped at En-gedi , by the Dead Sea, .

‏ Psalms 83:2-10

Verse 2. Thine enemies make a tumult] They are not merely the enemies of thy people, but they are the enemies of thyself, thy worship, ordinances, and laws: "They make a tumult," they throng together.

They-have lifted up the head.] They have made an irruption into the land of Judea, and encamped at En-gedi, by the Dead Sea, 2Ch 20:1, 2.

Verse 3. Consulted against thy hidden ones.]

tsephuneycha, Thy hidden things; places; persons. "The hidden things in thy treasures."-CHALDEE. "Thy holy ones."-SYRIAC. "Thy saints."-VULGATE and SEPTUAGINT; and so the AEthiopic and Arabic. The people of Israel are probably meant. Or perhaps the temple, the ark, and the treasures of the temple, are intended.

Verse 4. 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 actually invaded, and the different bodies of this coalition had assembled at En-gedi. Never was Judah before in greater danger.

Verse 5. They have consulted together with one consent] With a united heart, leb yachdav, Their heart and soul are in the work.

They are confederate against thee] "They have made a covenant," berith yachrithu, "they have cut the covenant sacrifice." They have slain an animal, divided him in twain, and passed between the pieces of the victim; and have thus bound themselves to accomplish their purpose.

Verse 6. 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 Ishmaelites, 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 dwelt on the east of Gilead; and were nearly destroyed in the days of Saul, being totally expelled from their country, 1Ch 5:10, but afterwards recovered some strength and consequence; but where they dwelt after their expulsion by the Israelites is not known.

Verse 7. Gebal] The Giblites, who were probably the persons here designed, were a tribe of the ancient inhabitants of the land of Canaan, and are mentioned as unconquered at the death of Joshua, Jos 13:5. They are called stone-squarers or Giblites, 1Ki 5:18, and were of considerable assistance to Hiram king of Tyre, in preparing timber and stones for the building of the temple. They appear to have been eminent in the days of Ezekiel, who terms them the "ancients of Gebal, and the wise men-thereof," who were ship-builders, Eze 27:3. What is now called Gibyle, a place on the Mediterranean Sea, between Tripoli and Sidon, is supposed to be the remains of the city of the Giblites.

Ammon and Moab were then descendants of the children of Lot. Their bad origin is sufficiently known. See Ge 19:30, &c. Calmet supposes that Ammon is put here for Men or Maon, the Meonians, a people who lived in the neighbourhood of the Amalekites and Idumeans. See the notes on 2Ch 20:1; 26:7.

Amalek] The Amalekites are well known as the ancient and inveterate enemies of the Israelites. They were neighbours to the Idumeans.

The Philistines] These were tributaries to Jehoshaphat, 2Ch 17:11; but it seems they took advantage of the present times, to join in the great confederacy against him.

The inhabitants of Tyre] These probably joined the confederacy in hopes of making conquests, and extending their territory on the main land.

Verse 8. Assur also is joined] The Ammonites might have got those auxiliaries from beyond the Euphrates, against Jehosphaphat, as formerly they were brought against David. See 2Sa 10:16.

They have holpen the children of Lot.] The Ammonites, who appear to have been the chief instigators in this war.

Verse 9. Do unto them as unto the Midianites] Who were utterly defeated by Gideon, Jud 7:21, 22.

As to Sisera] Captain of the army of Jabin, king of Canaan, who was totally defeated by Deborah and Barak, near Mount Tabor, by the river Kishon; and himself, after having fled from the battle, slain by Jael, the wife of Heber, the Kenite. See Jud 4:15, &c.

Verse 10. Perished at En-dor] This refers to the defeat of the Midianites by Gideon, who were encamped in the valley of Jezreel, at the foot of Mount Gilboa, and near to Tabor, Jud 6:33; 7:1, and consequently in the environs of En-dor. There Gideon attacked and defeated them; and, in various places during their flight, they were destroyed, and left to rot upon the earth. Jud 7:22-25.