The Church Fathers on this verse
THEOSIS
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Psalm 83 (82):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The tabernacle of the Edomites, and the Ishmahelites: Moab, and the Agarens,

Douay-Rheims · Hebrew numbering, Septuagint numbering in brackets.

אָהֳלֵ֣י אֱ֭דוֹם וְיִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֗ים מוֹאָ֥ב וְהַגְרֽ͏ִים׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

6 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Jerome of Stridon

4th centuryChurch Father

Consider the profound mysteries encapsulated in these names. "The bushes of the Idumeans, and of the Ishmaelites, and of the Moabites, and of the Hagarites, and of Gebal, and of Amon, and of Amalek, and of the foreigners with them that dwell in Tyre: for Asshur came with them, became helpers to the children of Lot" (Psalm 82:6-9). Here we observe eleven opposing the saints. Because they contend against the righteous, they cannot achieve completeness in number; thus, they fall short of twelve. Referring to "the bushes of Idumea," we see that they lack sturdy foundations, living instead in transient tents. The term "Idumea" can be interpreted as either "bloody" or "earthy," indicating the nature of those who are at odds with the saints.

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Next, we have "the Ishmaelites," understood as "those who follow their own desires," acting upon their own wicked thoughts without restraint. This is why Ezekiel admonishes, "Son of man, speak against the prophets who follow their own heart and do whatever comes to mind" (cf. Ezekiel 13:2). We are not to pursue our own inclinations; we should not be referred to as "Ishmaelites," which denotes self-followers, but rather as those who submit to God.

The term "Moabites," interpreted as "children of the father," signifies those who have turned away from God the Father. The "Hagarites" are identified as newcomers or converts. These were individuals meant to reside in fellowship with God. We often seek to elevate a seemingly trivial historical account into a realm of spiritual significance. The narrative of Israel’s resistance to the Gentiles is straightforward, yet it reflects our own experience. Israel faced opposition, and its triumph serves as a source of strength for us. Therefore, let us examine the characteristics of those who oppose the Church.

The term "Idumeans" points to the earthly nature of these adversaries. The psalmist poignantly describes them as "bushes," highlighting their lack of stability and their dwelling in temporary tents. Both the Idumeans and the Ishmaelites. The latter—"Ishmaelites"—can be understood as "those who seem to hear," yet fail to heed the voice of God, passing by without response. Each name carries a unique mystery: a multitude of riddles within the words. “Moab” conveys the idea of being "out of the father"; these individuals are not in alignment with the Father but have distanced themselves from Him. The term "Hagarites" translates to "wanderers" and "strangers," illustrating those who once resided in communities but have since become nomadic. They stand as outsiders, waging conflict with the household of the Father.

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

The territories of Idumea and the descendants of Ishmael are mentioned. The Idumeans trace their ancestry to Esau, who was recognized as Edom. The Ishmaelites, in turn, are the offspring of Ishmael. Additionally, there is mention of Moab and the Hagarites. Moab is the child of Lot, and his lineage established the nation; the Hagarites, however, descend from another line of Ishmael, named after Hagar, Ishmael's mother.

Euthymios Zigabenos

11th centuryCommentator

The towns of Idumea and the descendants of Ishmael. When referring to the towns of Idumea, it signifies the city of the Idumeans, or it may imply the Idumeans in a broader sense. The Idumeans were a people originating from Esau, who was named Edom due to the fiery appearance of his body; the term fiery (πυρρρακης) denotes a reddish hue (Gen. 25:25). The Ishmaelites represent another lineage, descending from Ishmael, who was born to Abraham and his servant Hagar. Some say that from Ishmael arose twelve distinct nations, each with their own names. Moab and the Hagarites. Moab refers to the Moabites, a nation emerging from Moab, the son of Lot; the Hagarites trace their lineage to Abraham's maidservant, who was the mother of Ishmael. After Hagar was sent away from Abraham's household, she took another husband, and her descendants came to be known as the Hagarites.

Hesychius of Jerusalem

5th centuryChurch Father

All these nations trace their lineage back to Abraham, establishing a familial connection with the Israelites. Ishmael, Abraham's son, is the forefather of the Ishmaelites; however, the Hagarites do not descend from Abraham but from Hagar, whom Sarah had temporarily given to Abraham. Out of jealousy, Sarah later expelled both Hagar and Ishmael; thus, Hagar's descendants were named the Hagarites due to their bond with a foreign husband. Similarly, Amalek is a descendant of Esau, while Moab and Ammon are the offspring of Lot and his daughters, born following the destruction of Sodom. Their neighbor is Ghebal, possibly a relative, and thus is included among them. What is the intention behind highlighting these nations? Why are these related peoples specifically mentioned?

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It is to illustrate that the primary adversaries are often those closest to us, as Christ indicated, being domestic, or kin. For this reason, the prophet places foreigners last, stating, “the foreigners are with the inhabitants of Tyre, and Asshur is joined to them.”

Irenaeus (Klementjewsky)

18th centuryCommentator

The nations that conspired together to annihilate God's people from the earth are detailed here. Firstly, there are the towns of Edom, including all the groups of the Edomites along with their settlements. This group traces its lineage back to Esau, who was also known as Edom, and shares a tribal relationship with Judah. The Ishmaelites originated from Ishmael, the son of Abraham, born to him by Hagar, the handmaid. Moab stems from the lineage of Lot's son, who was given the name Moab. The Hagarites are descended from Hagar, Abraham's servant, but through another husband she married after being freed from Abraham; they are now referred to as Ottomans or Turks.

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Geval is a nation that comes from Geval, although his identity remains unclear, as his name appears only in this context in the Scriptures. It is possible that Geval is the same as Gebal, which is mentioned in the second book of Kings (2 Kings 8:13), or related to the city of Hawaii mentioned in the first book of Ezra (Ezra 2:26). Scholars such as Theodoret and Euthymius believe that Gebal was a neighboring nation to the Idumeans. Ammon originates from Ammon, the son of Lot and brother to Moab; these two were born of Lot's daughters (Genesis 19). Amalek comes from Amalek, who was the grandson of Esau, as noted in Genesis 36. The pagans are equated with the Philistines, who are frequently mentioned throughout the books of Kings. The inhabitants of Tyre correspond to the Tyrians, a people living by the sea named after the city of Tiber, which boasted a prominent merchant port. Assur refers to the Assyrian people, who allied with the Moabites and Ammonites against the Israelites. Theodoret interprets these Assyrians as the Samaritans, that is, those whom King Salmanassar of Assyria resettled in Samaria when he deported the ten tribes, as described in 4 Samuel 17. There is no record in Scripture indicating that any Assyrians came to assist the descendants of Lot—specifically the Moabites and Ammonites; however, in 1 Maccabees 5, it is noted that the nations residing in Galilee and Samaria united their forces with the Moabites and Ammonites against the Israelites.

Psalter with Commentaries (Cave Monastery in Kiew)

19th centuryCommentator

This Psalm, composed under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit through David, was entrusted to Asaph, the leader of the singers, to declare the prophecy within it regarding the anticipated trials facing the Jewish people, particularly the faithful followers of Christ throughout various periods, especially during the era of the Antichrist. The prophet, representing the voice of the Holy Church in prayer during times of persecution, earnestly petitions God for deliverance. Wickedness serves as a demonic allure that leads to idolatry and every form of sin. Due to the patience of God, these adversaries grew arrogant, becoming brazen in their hostility. Those who rage against the people of God and His holy ones are, in fact, declaring war against Him, as they are their servants and brethren.

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The Idumeans, inhabitants of Idumea, are descendants of Esau, also known as Edom, named for his fiery, reddish appearance. The Ishmaelites trace their lineage to Ishmael, the son of Abraham and his handmaiden Hagar. The Moabites are descendants of Moab, Lot's son, while the Hagarites include all children born of Hagar, who remarried after being cast out by Abraham. The Gevalites were tribes residing near Idumea. The Ammonites descended from Ammon, another son of Lot, and the Amalekites are also connected to Esau, dwelling separately in Arabia, away from Judah. By listing these various malevolent tribes, the prophet highlights that often the most significant adversaries come from within one’s own kin, a truth echoed by Christ (Matthew 10:36). Therefore, the prophet relegated the foreigners to the latter part of his account.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.