Bible Strands
Psalms 83:8
Even Assyria has joined them, lending strength to the sons of Lot. Selah
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God, cataloging a coalition of nations arrayed against Israel's people.
The words — נִלְוָה (nil.Vah) translates literally as "it has joined itself," and זְר֖וֹעַ (ze.Ro.a') means "an arm," both describing Assyria's alliance and military support.
The thread — The reference to the sons of Lot connects to the genealogies in Genesis 19:37–38, while the mention of Assyria echoes the settlement patterns in Genesis 10:11 and the territorial boundaries noted in Deuteronomy 2:9.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that geopolitical alliances against God's people are known and subject to divine judgment, as immediately illustrated by the historical defeats cited in the following verse.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 2:9 Then the LORD said to me, “Do not harass the Moabites or provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land, because I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as their possession.”
- Genesis 10:11 From that land he went forth into Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah,
- Genesis 19:37 The older daughter gave birth to a son and named him Moab. He is the father of the Moabites of today.
- Genesis 25:3 Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites.
- 2 Kings 15:19 Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver in order to gain his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom.
- Isaiah 33:2 O LORD, be gracious to us! We wait for You. Be our strength every morning and our salvation in time of trouble.