Back to Exodus 17

Exodus 17:8-16

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.’ ”

World English Bible · Public Domain

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    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.’ ”

  • KJV King James Version

    Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

    And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

    So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

    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.

    And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi:

    For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

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  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

    And Moses said unto Joshua: 'Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek; tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.'

    So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

    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.'

    And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Adonai-nissi.

    And he said: 'The hand upon the throne of the LORD: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.'

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Cross-references (76)

  • Genesis 22:14 (v15) Abraham called the name of that place “Yahweh Will Provide”. As it is said to this day, “On Yahweh’s mountain, it will be provided.”
  • Judges 6:24 (v15) Then Gideon built an altar there to Yahweh, and called it “Yahweh is Peace.” To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
  • 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…
Show all 73 cross-references
  • 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.
  • 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…
  • Psalms 60:4 (v15) You have given a banner to those who fear you, that it may be displayed because of the truth.
  • 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.
  • Deuteronomy 25:17-19 (vv8, 14) 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…
  • 1 Samuel 30:1 (vv8, 14) 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…
  • Genesis 36:12 (v8) Timna was concubine to Eliphaz, Esau’s son; and she bore to Eliphaz Amalek. These are the descendants of Adah, Esau’s wife.
  • Exodus 4:20 (v9) Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. Moses took God’s rod in his hand.
  • Exodus 24:13 (v9) Moses rose up with Joshua, his servant, and Moses went up onto God’s Mountain.
  • Deuteronomy 32:44 (v9) Moses came and spoke all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he and Joshua the son of Nun.
  • 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 (vv8, 14) 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.”
  • Exodus 4:2 (v9) Yahweh said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.”
  • Exodus 24:14 (v10) He said to the elders, “Wait here for us, until we come again to you. Behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever is involved in a dispute…
  • 1 Samuel 15:2 (v8) 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.
  • Genesis 33:20 (v15) He erected an altar there, and called it El Elohe Israel.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Psalms 21:8-11 (v16) Your hand will find out all of your enemies. Your right hand will find out those who hate you. You will make them as a fiery furnace in the…
  • Isaiah 66:1 (v16) Yahweh says, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build to me? Where will I rest?
  • Hebrews 4:8 (v9) For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day.
  • Genesis 36:16 (v8) chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek. These are the chiefs who came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Adah.
  • 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 17:13 (v9) Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
  • 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…
  • Numbers 11:28 (v9) Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, “My lord Moses, forbid them!”
  • Numbers 31:3-4 (v9) Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for war, that they may go against Midian, to execute Yahweh’s vengeance on…
  • 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…
  • Psalms 83:7 (v8) Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
  • Acts 7:45 (v9) which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered into the possession of the nations, whom God drove out…
  • Exodus 17:12 (v10) 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…
  • Exodus 31:2 (v10) “Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
  • Numbers 13:16 (v9) These are the names of the men who Moses sent to spy out the land. Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua.
  • 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;…
  • Joshua 11:15 (v10) As Yahweh commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua. Joshua did so. He left nothing undone of all that Yahweh commanded Moses.
  • 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…
  • Acts 7:49 (v16) ‘heaven is my throne, and the earth a footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build me?’ says the Lord. ‘Or what is the place of…
  • Matthew 28:20 (v10) teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
  • John 2:5 (v10) His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.”
  • John 15:14 (v10) You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.

73 distinct cross-references across this passage (76 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (21 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16 Who came of Eliphaz, son of Esau, Gen. 36:12.

Who came of Eliphaz, son of Esau, Gen. 36:12.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv8–16 Exo 17:8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv8–16 Then, i.e. when they were upon their march from…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v8 We have here the story of the war with…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv8–16 Then came Amalek,.... The Amalekites, who were not the…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel - The…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16 Verse 8. Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel]…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16 Exo 17:8. Then came Amalek — When they were…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv8–16 Then came Amalek - The attack occurred about two…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16 Amalec. The descendants of Esau by his grandson, living…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 10, 13, 14 ATTACK OF AMALEK. (Exo 17:8-16)
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 14, 15, 16 CONFLICT WITH AMALEK, Exo_17:8-16.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv8–16 8. Then] Heb. And (Amalek came &c.). The immediate…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 (8) Then came Amalek.—The Amalekites had not been previously…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv8–16 Vers. 8-16. THE WAR WITH AMALEK. The Amalekites seem…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 13, 14, 15 Then came Amalek, and fought.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v8 Exo_17:16. The Lord hath sworn.]—A far-fetched if not an…
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On v15
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v8 The Battle with the Amalekites
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv8, 11, 14 This was the name of a place in the…
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv8, 9, 14, 15, 16 17:8-16 Israel was enabled to defeat the Amalekites only…
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