Psalms 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.
Original Language Analysis
לְ֭כוּ
H1980
לְ֭כוּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 9
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְנַכְחִידֵ֣ם
and let us cut them off
H3582
וְנַכְחִידֵ֣ם
and let us cut them off
Strong's:
H3582
Word #:
3 of 9
to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy
מִגּ֑וֹי
from being a nation
H1471
מִגּ֑וֹי
from being a nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
4 of 9
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִזָּכֵ֖ר
may be no more in remembrance
H2142
יִזָּכֵ֖ר
may be no more in remembrance
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
שֵֽׁם
that the name
H8034
שֵֽׁם
that the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
7 of 9
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
Cross References
Jeremiah 11:19But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.Jeremiah 48:2There shall be no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from being a nation. Also thou shalt be cut down, O Madmen; the sword shall pursue thee.Psalms 74:8They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.Daniel 7:25And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.Exodus 1:10Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
Historical Context
Throughout history, empires attempted Israel's destruction: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia (Haman's plot), Greece (Antiochus), Rome. Yet Israel survives. Jeremiah 31:35-37 promises Israel's perpetuity as long as natural laws operate. Anti-Semitism's persistence reveals spiritual warfare—Satan attacks God's covenant people. The church faces similar hatred (John 15:18-20). Yet Christ promises: "the gates of hell shall not prevail" (Matthew 16:18).
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing spiritual warfare behind human opposition help you pray strategically?
- What does Israel's survival against impossible odds teach about God's covenant faithfulness?
- How does the church's guarantee of survival (Matthew 16:18) provide confidence amid cultural hostility?
Analysis & Commentary
The enemies plot: "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" (Hebrew am-ru l-khu v-nakh-chidem mi-goy v-lo-yizzakher shem-Yisra-el od). The enemies don't merely want territory but annihilation—erasing Israel's existence and memory. "That the name...may be no more" attacks identity itself. This genocidal intent makes the threat ultimate. Yet God's covenant ensures Israel's survival—enemies fail because they fight God, not just Israel.