Psalm 87:4
New International Version
“I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush — and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”

New Living Translation
I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me— also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia. They have all become citizens of Jerusalem!

English Standard Version
Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush— “This one was born there,” they say.

Berean Standard Bible
“I will mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me—along with Philistia, Tyre, and Cush—when I say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’ ”

King James Bible
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.

New King James Version
“I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know Me; Behold, O Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
“I shall mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me; Behold, Philistia and Tyre with Cush: ‘This one was born there.’”

NASB 1995
“I shall mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me; Behold, Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.’”

NASB 1977
“I shall mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me; Behold, Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
“I shall mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me; Behold, Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.’”

Amplified Bible
“I will mention Rahab (Egypt) and Babylon among those who know Me— Behold, Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia (Cush)— ‘This one was born there.’”

Christian Standard Bible
“I will make a record of those who know me: Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush — each one was born there.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will mention those who know Me: Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush— each one was born there.”

American Standard Version
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon as among them that know me: Behold, Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia: This one was born there.

Contemporary English Version
Egypt, Babylonia, Philistia, Phoenicia, and Ethiopia are some of those nations that know you, and their people all say, "I was born in Zion."

English Revised Version
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon as among them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this one was born there.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[The LORD says,] "I will add Egypt and Babylon as well as Philistia, Tyre, and Sudan to the list of those who acknowledge me. Each nation [will claim that it]was born there."

Good News Translation
"I will include Egypt and Babylonia when I list the nations that obey me; the people of Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia I will number among the inhabitants of Jerusalem."

International Standard Version
I will mention Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— including Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia — "This one was born there," they say.

Majority Standard Bible
“I will mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me—along with Philistia, Tyre, and Cush—when I say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”

NET Bible
I mention Rahab and Babylon to my followers. Here are Philistia and Tyre, along with Ethiopia. It is said of them, "This one was born there."

New Heart English Bible
I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me. Look, Philistia, Tyre, and also Ethiopia: "This one was born there."

Webster's Bible Translation
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Cush; this man was born there.

World English Bible
I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me. Behold, Philistia, Tyre, and also Ethiopia: “This one was born there.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I mention Rahab and Babel to those knowing Me, "" Behold, Philistia, and Tyre, with Cush! This [one] was born there.

Young's Literal Translation
I mention Rahab and Babel to those knowing Me, Lo, Philistia, and Tyre, with Cush! This one was born there.

Smith's Literal Translation
I will make mention of Rahab and Babel to those knowing me: behold the rovers, and Tyre, with Cush; this was born there.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I will be mindful of Rahab and of Babylon knowing me. Behold the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians, these were there.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I will be mindful of Rahab and of Babylon knowing me. Behold, the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians: these have been there.

New American Bible
And of Zion it will be said: “Each one was born in it.” The Most High will establish it;

New Revised Standard Version
Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; Philistia too, and Tyre, with Ethiopia— “This one was born there,” they say.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon, for they know my power: behold the Philistines and Tyre and the people of Ethiopia; it shall be said this man was born there.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Remember my doctrines, Rahab and Babel; behold, Philistines and Tsur and the people of the Cushites: This One was born there!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon as among them that know Me; Behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; This one was born there.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I will make mention of Raab and Babylon to them that know me: behold also the Philistines, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians: these were born there.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD Loves the Gates of Zion
3Glorious things are ascribed to you, O city of God. Selah 4“I will mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me— along with Philistia, Tyre, and Cush— when I say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’” 5And it will be said of Zion: “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High Himself will establish her.”…

Cross References
Isaiah 19:23-25
In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt, and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. / In that day Israel will join a three-party alliance with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing upon the earth. / The LORD of Hosts will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt My people, Assyria My handiwork, and Israel My inheritance.”

Isaiah 45:14
This is what the LORD says: “The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, along with the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you; they will come over in chains and bow down to you. They will confess to you: ‘God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God.’”

Isaiah 60:1-14
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. / For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. / Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. ...

Zechariah 9:7
I will remove the blood from their mouths and the abominations from between their teeth. Then they too will become a remnant for our God; they will become like a clan in Judah, and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.

Zechariah 14:16-19
Then all the survivors from the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. / And should any of the families of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, then the rain will not fall on them. / And if the people of Egypt will not go up and enter in, then the rain will not fall on them; this will be the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. ...

Amos 9:12
that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My name,” declares the LORD, who will do this.

Jeremiah 46:25
The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I am about to punish Amon god of Thebes, along with Pharaoh, Egypt with her gods and kings, and those who trust in Pharaoh.

Ezekiel 29:10
therefore I am against you and against your rivers. I will turn the land of Egypt into a ruin, a desolate wasteland from Migdol to Syene, and as far as the border of Cush.

Ezekiel 30:4-5
A sword will come against Egypt, and there will be anguish in Cush when the slain fall in Egypt, its wealth is taken away, and its foundations are torn down. / Cush, Put, and Lud, and all the various peoples, as well as Libya and the men of the covenant land, will fall with Egypt by the sword.

Genesis 10:6-13
The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. / The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. And the sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. / Cush was the father of Nimrod, who began to be a mighty one on the earth. ...

Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, / asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” / When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ...

Matthew 8:11
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

John 10:16
I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Acts 2:9-11
Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, / Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, / both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

Acts 8:27
So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship,


Treasury of Scripture

I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.

Rahab

Psalm 89:10
Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.

Isaiah 51:9
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?

Babylon

Psalm 137:1,8,9
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion…

2 Kings 20:17,18
Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD…

Isaiah 13:1
The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

Tyre

Psalm 45:12
And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.

Isaiah 23:1
The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.

Ezekiel 27:1
The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,

Ethiopia

1 Kings 10:1
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.

Acts 8:27
And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

this man

Psalm 68:31
Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.

1 Samuel 17:8
And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

2 Samuel 21:16-22
And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David…

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Psalm 87
1. The nature and glory of the church
4. The increase, honor, and comfort of the members thereof.














I will mention
The Hebrew root for "mention" is "זָכַר" (zakar), which means to remember or to call to mind. In the context of this verse, it signifies God's intentional acknowledgment and recognition of certain nations. This is not a casual mention but a deliberate act of inclusion, suggesting that God's plan of salvation and recognition extends beyond Israel to encompass other nations.

Rahab
In biblical literature, "Rahab" is often a poetic name for Egypt. The use of Rahab here symbolizes a powerful nation known for its historical enmity with Israel. Yet, its mention signifies a future where even former adversaries are acknowledged by God as part of His people. This reflects the transformative power of God's grace, which can turn enemies into friends.

Babylon
Babylon represents a significant historical and prophetic symbol in the Bible. Known for its grandeur and its role as an oppressor of Israel, Babylon's inclusion in this verse highlights the universal scope of God's kingdom. It suggests a future reconciliation and redemption, where even those who were once far from God are brought near.

among those who know Me
The phrase "know Me" is derived from the Hebrew "יָדַע" (yada), which implies an intimate, experiential knowledge. This is not mere intellectual assent but a deep, personal relationship with God. The inclusion of foreign nations among those who "know" God underscores the prophetic vision of a diverse, inclusive community of believers.

Philistia
Historically, the Philistines were one of Israel's most persistent enemies. Mentioning Philistia in this context is radical, as it suggests a future where historical hostilities are overcome. It points to a time when former foes are united in the worship of the one true God, illustrating the peace and reconciliation that God's kingdom brings.

Tyre
Tyre was a wealthy and influential city known for its commerce and trade. Its mention here may symbolize the inclusion of the economically powerful and the worldly wise in God's plan. It serves as a reminder that God's grace is not limited by human boundaries of wealth or status.

Cush
Cush, often associated with the region south of Egypt, represents the farthest reaches of the known world at the time. Its inclusion signifies the global reach of God's salvation. It is a prophetic declaration that God's love and redemption extend to the ends of the earth, embracing all peoples and nations.

when I say
This phrase indicates a divine declaration. It is God Himself who speaks, affirming the certainty and authority of the statement. It emphasizes that the inclusion of these nations is not a human initiative but a divine mandate.

‘This one was born in Zion.’
Zion, often synonymous with Jerusalem, represents the spiritual center of God's kingdom. To be "born in Zion" is to be part of God's covenant people. This phrase suggests a spiritual rebirth and inclusion into the community of God's people, regardless of one's ethnic or national origin. It is a powerful testament to the transformative power of God's grace, which transcends all human barriers and divisions.

(4) This verse may be paraphrased--

I will mention to my intimates Rahab and Babylon; (I will say) look at Philistia and Tyre--yes, and even Ethiopia. So-and-so was born there.

The last clause is literally this was born there, and on its reference the whole meaning of the verse and the whole intention of the psalm turn. Now immediately after the mention of a place, there must surely refer to that place, and not to a place mentioned in the previous verse and there too addressed as in the second person. The demonstrative this, is evidently used in a general way. (Comp. the fuller form, Judges 18:4, &c.) The poet begins his special addition to the praises of Zion, by enumerating various renowned nations much in the same way as Horace's

"Laudabunt alii claram Rhodon, aut Mitylenen."

only instead of leaving them as a theme to others he tells us what he himself in ordinary conversation might say of these places, and of the estimation in which their natives were held. It is hardly possible to escape from the conclusion that the Palestinian Jew is here implying his superiority to those of his race who were born abroad, a spirit shown so strongly in the relations of the Hebrews to the Hellenistic Jews in the New Testament.

Rahab undoubtedly stands for Egypt, but the exact origin of the term and of its connection with Egypt is much disputed. Most probably it is a term (possibly Coptic) for some large sea or river monster symbolic of Egypt. (Comp. the word "dragons," Psalm 74:13, and see Job 9:13; Job 26:12.) . . .

Verses 4-6. - The Almighty is introduced as making a revelation to the psalmist. He will cause the Gentiles to flock into his Church, even those who have been hitherto the most bitter enemies of Israel (ver. 4), and will place these strangers on a par with such as have belonged to his Church from their birth (vers. 4, 5, 6), admitting them to every blessing and every privilege. The Church, thus augmented, shall be taken under his own protection, and "established," or placed on a sure footing, forever. Compare our Lord's promise to St. Peter," On this rock will I build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). Verse 4. - I will make mention of Rahab; i.e. of Egypt. The context requires this meaning, which is found also in Psalm 89:10 and in Isaiah 51:9. Literally "Rahab" means "pride, arrogance." And Babylon. The fitting counterpart of Egypt, equally antagonistic to Israel, and equally lifted up with pride and presumption. To them that know me; rather, among them that know me; i.e. as belonging to them, included in their number (comp. Isaiah 19:21, "And the Lord shall be known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day;" and see also Psalm 72:11, 17; Psalm 82:8; Isaiah 66:23). Behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia. Other hostile nations (comp. Psalm 83:7; 2 Chronicles 12:3; 2 Chronicles 14:9-13). This man was horn there. There is no "man" in the original, and it is better to understand "nation;" this, that, and the other nation - all those mentioned, and others - are grafted into Zion, and have a second birth there.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I will mention
אַזְכִּ֤יר ׀ (’az·kîr)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

Rahab
רַ֥הַב (ra·haḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7294: Rahab -- 'storm', a name for Eg

and Babylon
וּבָבֶ֗ל (ū·ḇā·ḇel)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city

among those who know Me—
לְֽיֹ֫דְעָ֥י (lə·yō·ḏə·‘āy)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

along with
הִנֵּ֤ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

Philistia,
פְלֶ֣שֶׁת (p̄ə·le·šeṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6429: Philistia -- a territory on the southern Mediterranean coast of Israel

Tyre,
וְצ֣וֹר (wə·ṣō·wr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6865: Tyre -- a Phoenician city

and
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

Cush—
כּ֑וּשׁ (kūš)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3568: A son of Ham, also his descendants, also a land in the southern Nile Valley

[when I say,] “This one
זֶ֝֗ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

was born
יֻלַּד־ (yul·laḏ-)
Verb - QalPass - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

[in Zion].”
שָֽׁם׃ (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither


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OT Poetry: Psalm 87:4 I will record Rahab and Babylon among (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 87:3
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