Israel and Amalek

17:8 Amalek came and attacked Israel in Rephidim. 17:9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 17:10 So Joshua fought against Amalek just as Moses had instructed him;and Moses and Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 17:11 whenever Moses would raise his hands, then Israel prevailed, but whenever he would rest his hands, then Amalek prevailed. 17:12 When the hands of Moses became heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side and one on the other, and so his hands were steady until the sun went down. 17:13 So Joshua destroyed Amalek and his army with the sword. 17:14 the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in the book, and rehearse it in Joshua’s hearing; for I will surely wipe out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. 17:15 Moses built an altar, and he called it “The Lord is my Banner,” 17:16 for he said, “For a hand was lifted up to the throne of the Lord – that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Amalek attacked Israel in the wilderness. Moses sent Joshua to fight, while Moses stood on the hill with the staff of God in his hand. As Moses’ hands were held up, Israel prevailed. When his hands grew heavy, Aaron and Hur helped him. The Lord gave the victory. Moses then built an altar and said, “The Lord is my Banner.” The Lord also commanded that the event be remembered, and he declared lasting judgment against Amalek.

This passage shows that Israel’s victory did not come from strength alone. Joshua fought in the field, but the Lord gave the result. Moses stood with the staff of God, and his raised hands showed dependence on the Lord. When he became weary, Aaron and Hur supported him. Their help mattered. The story teaches that God often works through obedient leaders and faithful helpers.

The Lord’s command to write this down shows that the battle was not to be forgotten. It was a memorial of God’s care and of his judgment against Amalek. Moses’ altar, named “The Lord is my Banner,” means that the Lord himself was Israel’s rallying point and source of victory. The passage is about the Lord defending his redeemed people, not about magic in Moses’ posture or human strategy apart from God.

• Amalek attacked Israel while they were still weak in the wilderness.
• Joshua obeyed Moses and fought the battle.
• Moses stood with the staff of God, showing dependence on the Lord.
• Israel prevailed when Moses’ hands were raised, and Amalek prevailed when they were lowered.
• Aaron and Hur helped Moses endure until the battle was won.
• Joshua defeated Amalek and his army in that battle.
• The Lord commanded the event to be written and remembered.
• The Lord announced judgment against Amalek.
• Moses’ altar declared that the Lord is Israel’s Banner and source of victory.

• Warning: God’s people must not trust their own strength, strategy, or leaders apart from the Lord.
• Warning: Do not turn Moses’ raised hands into a rule that a certain posture guarantees success.
• Warning: Do not use Amalek as a license for hatred or modern political hostility.
• Promise: The Lord gives victory to his people as he sustains them.
• Command: Write the event as a memorial and pass it on.
• Command: Remember the Lord’s judgment against Amalek.
• Command: Rely on the Lord as your banner and rallying point.

This event stands between redemption from Egypt and the giving of the law at Sinai. The Lord is already defending the people he has redeemed. The battle also becomes part of Israel’s memory, because the Lord promised ongoing judgment against Amalek. In the wider Bible, the scene points to the need for God-given leadership and help, while keeping its first meaning centered on the Lord’s faithfulness to Israel.

God’s people should depend on the Lord, not on human strength alone. Leaders should obey God’s word and keep relying on him in prayer and action. Believers should also value the help of faithful brothers and sisters, since God often uses them to strengthen weak hands. This passage teaches remembrance, humility, and trust in the Lord who fights for his people.

• Lite Commentary
• In-depth Commentary