Exodus 17:8-13

Amalek Fought

8 Then ¹Amalek came and fought against Israel at ²Rephidim.

9 So Moses said to ³Joshua, "Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with ⁴the staff of God in my hand."

10 Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and ⁵Hur went up to the top of the hill.

11 So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.

12 But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur ⁶supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.

13 So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Exodus 17:8-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 17

The children of Israel coming to Rephidim, want water, and chide with Moses about it, who, crying to the Lord, is bid to smite the rock, from whence came water for them, and he named the place from their contention with him, Ex 17:1-7 at this place Amalek came and fought with Israel, who, through the prayer of Moses, signified by the holding up of his hands, and by the sword of Joshua, was vanquished, Ex 17:8-13, for the remembrance of which it was ordered to be recorded in a book, and an altar was built with this inscription on it, "Jehovahnissi": it being the will of God that Amalek should be fought with in every generation until utterly destroyed, Ex 17:14-16.

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 36:12; Numbers 24:20; Deuteronomy 25:17-19; 1 Samuel 15:2
• 2. Exodus 17:1
• 3. Exodus 24:13
• 4. Exodus 4:20
• 5. Exodus 24:14; Exodus 31:2
• 6. Isaiah 35:3

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "said to"
• [b]. Lit "to fight"
• [c]. Lit "rest"
• [d]. Lit "weakened"