Exodus 17:11-16

11 As long as Moses held up his arms, the Israelites won, but when he put his arms down, the Amalekites started winning.

12 When Moses' arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down.

13 In this way Joshua totally defeated the Amalekites.

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write an account of this victory, so that it will be remembered. Tell Joshua that I will completely destroy the Amalekites." ¹

15 Moses built an altar and named it "The Lord is my Banner."

16 He said, "Hold high the banner of the Lord! The Lord will continue to fight against the Amalekites forever!"

Exodus 17:11-16 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. 17.14Deuteronomy 25.17-19; 1 S 15.2-9.

Footnotes

• [a]. [Probable text] Hold . . . Lord; [Hebrew unclear.]