When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. When he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; so they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. His hands were steady until sunset. Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Yahweh said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky.”
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Exodus 17:11-14 sits inside this longer paragraph.
Then Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us, and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with God’s rod in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought with Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. When he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; so they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. His hands were steady until sunset. Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Yahweh said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky.” Moses built an altar, and called its name “Yahweh our Banner”. He said, “Yah has sworn: ‘Yahweh will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.’ ”
Parallel Translations
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When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. When he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
But Moses’ hands were heavy; so they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. His hands were steady until sunset.
Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
Yahweh said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky.”
-
And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
Show all 3 translations
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And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Write this for a memorial in the book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.'
Cross-references (45)
- 1 Timothy 2:8 (v11) I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting.
- Isaiah 35:3 (v12) Strengthen the weak hands, and make the feeble knees firm.
- James 5:16 (v11) Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is…
- Philippians 1:19 (v12) For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
- Psalms 56:9 (v11) Then my enemies shall turn back in the day that I call. I know this: that God is for me.
Show all 45 cross-references
- Luke 18:1 (v11) He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up,
- Hebrews 12:12 (v12) Therefore lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees,
- Exodus 34:27 (v14) Yahweh said to Moses, “Write these words; for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.”
- Mark 14:37-40 (v12) He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you watch one hour? Watch and pray, that you may not…
- 2 Corinthians 1:11 (v12) you also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift given to us by means of many, thanks may be given by many…
- Ephesians 6:18 (v12) with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all…
- 1 Thessalonians 5:25 (v12) Brothers, pray for us.
- Psalms 35:3 (v12) Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me. Tell my soul, “I am your salvation.”
- Matthew 26:40-45 (v12) He came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray, that…
- Colossians 4:2 (v12) Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,
- James 1:6 (v12) But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.
- 1 Samuel 30:1 (v14) When David and his men had come to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid on the South, and on Ziklag, and had struck…
- 1 Samuel 30:17 (v14) David struck them from the twilight even to the evening of the next day. Not a man of them escaped from there, except four hundred young…
- Numbers 24:20 (v14) He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, “Amalek was the first of the nations, But his latter end shall come to destruction.”
- Numbers 33:2 (v14) Moses wrote the starting points of their journeys by the commandment of Yahweh. These are their journeys according to their starting points.
- Deuteronomy 25:17-19 (v14) Remember what Amalek did to you by the way as you came out of Egypt; how he met you by the way, and struck the rearmost of you, all who…
- 2 Samuel 8:12 (v14) of Syria, of Moab, of the children of Ammon, of the Philistines, of Amalek, and of the plunder of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
- Exodus 12:14 (v14) This day shall be a memorial for you. You shall keep it as a feast to Yahweh. You shall keep it as a feast throughout your generations by…
- Exodus 13:9 (v14) It shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that Yahweh’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong…
- Exodus 24:4 (v14) Moses wrote all Yahweh’s words, then rose up early in the morning and built an altar at the base of the mountain, with twelve pillars for…
- Joshua 10:42 (v13) Joshua took all these kings and their land at one time because Yahweh, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.
- 1 Samuel 15:2-3 (v14) Yahweh of Armies says, ‘I remember what Amalek did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way, when he came up out of Egypt. Now…
- 1 Samuel 15:7-8 (v14) Saul struck the Amalekites, from Havilah as you go to Shur, that is before Egypt. He took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and…
- Deuteronomy 31:9 (v14) Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, and to all the elders of…
- Joshua 4:7 (v14) then you shall tell them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of Yahweh’s covenant. When it crossed over the…
- Joshua 10:28 (v13) Joshua took Makkedah on that day, and struck it with the edge of the sword, with its king. He utterly destroyed it and all the souls who…
- Joshua 10:32 (v13) Yahweh delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel. He took it on the second day, and struck it with the edge of the sword, with all the…
- Joshua 10:37 (v13) They took it, and struck it with the edge of the sword, with its king and all its cities, and all the souls who were in it. He left no one…
- Joshua 11:12 (v13) Joshua captured all the cities of those kings, with their kings, and he struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed them;…
- 1 Samuel 15:18 (v14) and Yahweh sent you on a journey, and said, ‘Go, and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are…
- 1 Samuel 27:8-9 (v14) David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites; for those were the inhabitants of the land, who were…
- 2 Samuel 1:1 (v14) After the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag;
- 2 Samuel 1:8-16 (v14) He said to me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ He said to me, ‘Please stand beside me, and kill me; for anguish has…
- 1 Chronicles 4:43 (v14) They struck the remnant of the Amalekites who escaped, and have lived there to this day.
- Ezra 9:14 (v14) shall we again break your commandments, and join ourselves with the peoples that do these abominations? Wouldn’t you be angry with us until…
- Job 18:17 (v14) His memory will perish from the earth. He will have no name in the street.
- Job 19:23 (v14) “Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
- Psalms 9:6 (v14) The enemy is overtaken by endless ruin. The very memory of the cities which you have overthrown has perished.
- Proverbs 10:7 (v14) The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.
- Haggai 2:2-3 (v14) “Speak now to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv11, 14 So that we see how dangerous a thing it…
So that we see how dangerous a thing it is to faint in prayer.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv11–14 Exo 17:11 And it came to pass, when Moses…
Exo 17:11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
Ver. 11. When Moses held up his hand.] The push of Moses’s prayers did more than the pikes of all Israel besides. Moses orat et vincit, cessat et vincitur, saith one. Great is the power of prayers. Henricus Anceps, the Emperor of Germany, slew and put to flight a huge army of the Hungarians, his soldiers all crying out with a loud voice, Kyrie eleison; Kyrie eleison! - i.e., Lord, have mercy upon us; Lord, have mercy upon us! This was done before the city of Mersburg. {a}
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{a} Bucholc., Chronol.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv11–14 Moses held up his hand, with the rod of…
Moses held up his hand, with the rod of God in it. This gesture, though fervent prayer was doubtless joined with it, seems not to have been the gesture of praying, which is the lifting up of both hands, but of an ensign-bearer, or of one ready to smite his enemies. Howsoever this was only a sign whereby Moses strengthened his faith, and quickened his prayers, and heightened the courage of the soldiers below, and protested that he expected victory not from the skill and prowess of his army, but from the assistance of God.
When he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed; God so dispensing his favour, that the honour of the day and victory might be wholly ascribed to the rod and power of God, not to Israel.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv11–14 And it came to pass, when Moses held up…
And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed,.... With his rod in it as a banner displayed, as some think, which inspired the Israelites with courage to fight, and they had the better of it; though Aben Ezra rejects that notion, observing, that if that had been the case, Aaron or Hur would have lifted it up, or fixed it in a high place on the mount, that it might have been seen standing; and therefore he thinks the sense of the ancients the most correct, that it was a prayer gesture. And among the Heathens, Moses was famous for the efficacy of his prayers; Numenius, the Pythagoric philosopher (y), says of him, that he was a man very powerful in prayer with God: and so all the Targums interpret it, and particularly the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem paraphrase the words,"when Moses lift up his hands in prayer, the house of Israel prevailed, but when he restrained his hands from prayer, the house of Amalek prevailed,''as it follows:
when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed; so that victory seemed to go sometimes on one side, and sometimes on the other, according as the hand of Moses, with the rod in it, was held up or let down; when it was held up, and Israel saw it, they fought valiantly, but when it was let down, and they could not see it, their hearts failed them, and they feared it portended ill to them, which caused them to give way to the enemy. The spiritual Israel of God are engaged in a warfare with spiritual enemies, some within, and some without; and sometimes they prevail over their enemies, and sometimes their enemies prevail over them for a while; and things go on very much as a man either keeps up or leaves off praying, which is signified by the lifting up of holy hands without wrath and doubting, Ti1 2:8 and which when rightly performed, under the influence of the divine Spirit in faith, in sincerity, and with fervency and constancy, has great power with God and Christ, and against Satan and every spiritual enemy.
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(y) Apud Euseb. Praepar, Evangel. l. 9. c. 8. p. 411.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv11, 13 And when Moses held vp his hand in prayer…
And when Moses held vp his hand in prayer (so the Chaldee explains it) Israel prevailed, but when he let down his hand from prayer, Amalek prevailed - To convince Israel that the hand of Moses (with whom they had just now been chiding) contributed more to their safety than their own hands; the success rises and falls, as Moses lifts up or lets down his hand. The church's cause is ordinarily more or less successful, according as the church's friends are more or less fervent in prayer.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv11, 13, 14 Verse 11. When Moses held up his hand] We…
Verse 11. When Moses held up his hand] We cannot understand this transaction in any literal way; for the lifting up or letting down the hands of Moses could not, humanly speaking, influence the battle. It is likely that he held up the rod of God in his hand, Ex 17:9, as an ensign to the people. We have already seen that in prayer the hands were generally lifted up and spread out, (See Clarke on Ex 9:29,) and therefore it is likely that by this act prayer and supplication are intended. The Jerusalem Targum says, "When Moses held up his hands in prayer, the house of Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hands from prayer, the house of Amalek prevailed." We may therefore conclude, that by holding up the hands in this case these two things were intended:
1. That hereby a reference was made to God, as the source whence all help and protection must come, and that on him alone they must depend.
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2. That prayer and supplication to God are essentially necessary to their prevalence over all their enemies.
It is indisputably true that, while the hands are stretched out, that is, while the soul exerts itself in prayer and supplication to God, we are sure to conquer our spiritual adversaries; but if our hands become heavy - if we restrain prayer before God, Amalek will prevail - every spiritual foe, every internal corruption, will gain ground. Several of the fathers consider Moses, with his stretched-out hands, as a figure of Christ on the cross, suffering for mankind, and getting a complete victory over sin and Satan.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v13 Exo 17:13-14. Though God gave the victory, yet it…
Exo 17:13-14. Though God gave the victory, yet it is said Joshua discovered Amalek, because Joshua was a type of Christ, and of the same name, and in him it is that we are more than conquerors. The Lord said, Write this for a memorial — This is the first mention of writing we find in Scripture.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv11–14 The act represents the efficacy of intercessory prayer -…
The act represents the efficacy of intercessory prayer - offered doubtless by Moses - a point of great moment to the Israelites at that time and to the Church in all ages.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv11, 14 And when Moses lifted up his hands. Here Moses…
And when Moses lifted up his hands. Here Moses was a figure of Christ on the cross, by whose power and mediation we overcome our spiritual enemies. (Challoner) --- Hands, forming the sign of the cross, as the fathers observe, in the posture of a suppliant. St. Jerome says, the people fasted also till the evening. (contra Jos. ii.) (Calmet) --- If heretics deride the priests of God, standing with their hands extended at the altar, let them reflect on Moses, and on Jesus Christ, who, lifting up his hands, blessed his disciples; and hence learn, that such ceremonies are not vain. (Worthington)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv13–14 Joshua discomfited Amalek--Victory at length decided in favor of…
Joshua discomfited Amalek--Victory at length decided in favor of Israel, and the glory of the victory, by an act of national piety, was ascribed to God (compare Jo1 5:4).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v14 14. Write — This is the first time that…
14. Write — This is the first time that this word occurs in the Bible. Until quite recently the existence of the art of writing in the time of Moses was frequently disputed by the opponents of revelation; but it is now settled that the Phenicians, whose alphabet was the same as that of the Hebrews, practiced writing at least as early as the time of Moses. The best idea of the form of the letters can be obtained from the fac simile of the famous Moabite stone discovered in 1868, which contains an inscription of Mesha, king of Moab, (2Ki_3:4, which see,) vaunting his victories over Omri, king of Israel, in the tenth century B.C., the oldest alphabetic inscription as yet known. (“The Moabite Stone,” by Dr. Ginsburg, London, 1871.) Writing is here spoken of as if familiar to the Israelites, and it will be noticed, not mere monumental writing, as of a few words upon a stone, but in a book, upon papyrus, which denotes much advancement in the art.
In a book — In the (well-known) book; our translation improperly omits the article. (Gesenius, Gr., § 109, 3, Rem. 1; Ewald, Lehrb., § 277, a.) It was the book wherein was kept the record of this wonderful history, wherein all God’s statutes were written down. It was doubtless the book used by Moses, or his scribes, in the composition of the Pentateuch, if not the Pentateuch itself.
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In the ears of Joshua — Because he was to be the military leader, and to execute this commission upon Amalek.
I will utterly put out — Literally, wiping I will wipe out; fearfully graphic words. Amalek was a nation which had “filled the measure of its iniquities,” and God appointed Israel to blot it from being.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv11–14 11. held up, &c.] a gesture suggestive partly of…
11. held up, &c.] a gesture suggestive partly of strenuousness and energy, partly of appeal for help to God.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv11, 12, 14 (11) When Moses held up his hand . .…
(11) When Moses held up his hand . . . Israel prevailed, &c.—In order to teach the lesson of the value of intercessory prayer, God made the fortunes of the fight to vary according as Moses “held up his hand,” or allowed it to sink down. It is not probable that the Israelites were directly affected by the bodily movements of Moses, or indeed could discern them, but Moses, Aaron, and Hur were struck by the fact that the fluctuations in the battle coincided with the motions of Moses’ hands.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv11–14 When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. The…
When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. The elevation of Moses" hand, with the rod held in it, was an appeal to God for aid, and must be supposed to have been accompanied by fervent prayer to God, that he would help his people and give them victory over their enemies. So long as the hand was upraised, the Israelites prevailed; not because they saw it, and took it as directing them to continue the fight (Kalisch), but because God gave them strength, and vigour and courage, while Moses interceded, and left them to themselves when the intercession ceased, It may be said, that Moses might have continued to pray, though his hands were weary; but only those who have tried, know how difficult a thing it is to pray with any intensity for a continuance. Probably Moses" spiritual and physical powers collapsed together; and when he dropped his hand through physical fatigue, he rested also from his mental effort. To impress upon Israel the importance of intercessory prayer, God made success and failure alternate with its continuance and discontinuance, thus teaching his people a lesson of inestimable value.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv13–14 Joshua discomfited Amalek.
Exo_17:13
Joshua discomfited Amalek.
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Winning Gods battles
I. Amalek, as we learn from Deu_25:18, had smitten the hindmost, even all that were feeble. The stragglers are always a temptation to the foe. The hindmost and the feeble are sure to be the first attacked, and therefore should have special care.
II. Joshua discomfited Amalek, not Moses or some other friend. Let us keep our bitterness for sin, and our swords for the Kings enemies.
III. Amalek is not to be beaten without a fight. The struggle against sin is real, as we shall find to our cost if we are not wary.
IV. Moses was for each minding his own work. Joshua to fight, and himself to take the top of the hill.
V. Moses on the hill is an emblem of public prayer. There is a mystery about prayer that we cannot unravel, fine of the bravest of Christian soldiers, scarred with many a fight, said, I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands.
VI. How much even the mightiest of men are dependent upon others much weaker than themselves. It was well for the fortunes of the day that Moses was not alone.
VII. An altar marked the place of battle, and glory was given to the Lord of Hosts. The soldiers of the Cross should call the battle-fields where they have won their bravest fights by the name of Him to whom they ascribe all might and majesty. (T. Champness.)
The battle of Amalek, an instructive war
I. As the record of a war distinguished from most modern wars.
1. It was purely defensive on the Hebrew side.
2. It was Divinely sanctioned on the Hebrew side.
3. It was evidently judicial on the Hebrew side.
II. As the record of a war suggesting principles of general application.
1. The propagating influence of evil. I find the primal cause of this war in the injury which Jacob perpetrated upon his brother Esau (Gen_27:18-19). God only knows the influence of one evil act.
2. The Divine liberty allowed to wicked men. Full freedom to work out revengeful passions.
3. The variety of instrumentality by which God works out His designs. The Eternal ever works by means.
4. The dependence of mans progress on his relation to heaven.
5. The importance of transmitting to posterity the agency of God in history (see verse 14).
III. As the record of a war symbolizing the moral struggle in which the good are engaged.
1. That the good have spiritual enemies to contend with.
2. That the victory which the good are to obtain over their enemies depends on the help of others.
3. That whatever may be the amount of help obtained in the struggle, the victory must ever be ascribed to God. (Homilist.)
Israel and Amalek
I. The Christians example.
1. To fight.
(1) An aggressive fight Go
(2) To be done wisely. Choose you out men.
(3) Earnestly Fight. No parley.
(4) Continually.
2. To pray.
(1) For those who fight.
(2) Earnestly. Not growing weary.
(3) Confidently. The rod--symbol of past mercies.
(4) Unitedly.
II. The Christians encouragement.
1. Christ, our Captain--
(1) With us, to cheer.
(2) With us, to direct.
(3) With us, to defend.
2. Christ, our intercessor.
(1) Prays, while we work.
(2) Prays continually.
(3) Prays successfully.
III. The Christians prospect.
1. Of certain victory.
2. certain glory. (B. D. Macmillan.)
Amalek and Israel
I. The battle was forced upon the victors.
II. The battle was hotly contested.
III. The vanquished owed defeat, and the victors victory, to Divine power through human intercession.
Lessons:
1. As soon as we become followers of Christ, war is forced upon us.
2. Every Christian possesses a Divine rod which, wielded, will bring him Divine help (Heb_4:16).
3. Christians in their conflict have an Intercessor on the hill, and a Leader in the valley. Christ makes intercession (Heb_7:25); and the Holy Spirit helps our infirmities (Rom_8:26), and guides into all truth (Joh_16:13). (W. Harris.)
Lessons
1. Hands of creature-instruments may be helpful under God, to give His Church success against its enemies.
2. Such hands lifted up to heaven in prayer, and for encouragement, God doth assist unto prevalency.
3. Hands hanging down and feeble in prayer, may give opportunity unto enemies to prevail.
4. Such languishings after strong strugglings, God sometimes orders upon His choicest servants.
5. Doubtful may be the fight of Israel as to success against its enemies for a time (verse 11).
6. Heaviness of flesh and spirit in contending with God for Israel may sometimes befall Moses (Mat_26:41; Mat_26:43).
7. Suitable support under such delinquencies are very requisite for Gods servants. Christ the stone to us.
8. Good helpers to strengthen hearts and hands in faintings are specially useful.
9. By such helps souls may be stedfast and faithful unto God unto time of victory (verse 12).
10. Moses praying and Joshua fighting, Amalek must fail, when prayer puts the edge on the sword it is furbished to the slaughter.
11. It is Gods just ordering that they who first oppress with the sword, shall perish by the sword (verse 13). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv11, 14 Israel was winning ... Amalek would begin to win
Israel was winning ... Amalek would begin to win
The words "Israel" and "Amalek" represent the fighters from those groups. AT: "the Israelite fighters were winning ... the Amalekite fighters would begin to win" (See: Synecdoche)
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hands became heavy
The author writes of Moses' arms becoming tired as if his hands became heavy. AT: "arms became tired" (See: Metonymy)
with the sword
The sword represents battle. AT: "in battle" (See: Metonymy)
translationWords
rest
Aaron
sword
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v14 17:14-16 By their unprovoked attack on the people through…
17:14-16 By their unprovoked attack on the people through whom God was extending his blessing, the Amalekites incurred the unending wrath of God. God’s hand can be extended in blessing, or it can be extended in curse. Those who reject the hand of blessing experience the curse (see 1 Sam 15).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.