Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua, because I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." The LORD said to MosesThis phrase emphasizes the direct communication between God and Moses, highlighting Moses' role as a prophet and leader chosen by God. The Hebrew root for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which conveys not just speaking but also commanding or declaring. This underscores the authority and divine origin of the message Moses is about to receive. Historically, this communication reflects the unique relationship Moses had with God, serving as a mediator for the Israelites. Write this on a scroll
The act of writing signifies the importance and permanence of the message. The Hebrew word for "write" is "כָּתַב" (kathab), which implies inscribing or recording. In ancient times, writing on a scroll was a method of preserving important information, ensuring it could be passed down through generations. This command to write underscores the significance of the event and the need for future remembrance. as a reminder
The Hebrew word for "reminder" is "זִכָּרוֹן" (zikaron), which means a memorial or a record. This indicates that the event should not only be remembered but also serve as a lesson for future generations. The reminder is not just for historical record but for spiritual and moral instruction, emphasizing the importance of remembering God's acts and judgments. and recite it to Joshua
Joshua, who would later succeed Moses as the leader of Israel, is specifically mentioned here. The Hebrew root for "recite" is "שָׂם" (sum), which means to place or set. This implies that the message should be firmly established in Joshua's mind. This instruction highlights the importance of leadership preparation and the passing of divine knowledge and experience to future leaders. because I will utterly blot out
The phrase "utterly blot out" comes from the Hebrew "מָחָה" (machah), meaning to erase or obliterate. This strong language indicates a complete and total removal, reflecting God's judgment against Amalek. It serves as a warning of the consequences of opposing God's people and His plans. the memory of Amalek
Amalek represents a perpetual enemy of Israel, and their memory symbolizes opposition to God's purposes. The historical context of the Amalekites, who attacked the Israelites, is crucial here. God's promise to erase their memory signifies divine justice and the ultimate triumph of God's will over His enemies. from under heaven
This phrase emphasizes the totality of God's judgment. The Hebrew "תַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם" (tachat hashamayim) means beneath the heavens, indicating that the eradication of Amalek's memory will be complete and universal. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over all creation and His ability to execute His will throughout the earth. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who commands Moses to record the event. 2. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. 3. JoshuaMoses' assistant and future leader of Israel, who is to be reminded of God's promise concerning Amalek. 4. AmalekA nomadic tribe that attacked the Israelites at Rephidim, representing opposition to God's people. 5. RephidimThe location where the Israelites camped and were attacked by the Amalekites. Teaching Points The Importance of RemembranceGod instructs Moses to write down the event as a reminder. This highlights the importance of remembering God's acts and promises in our lives. Keeping a spiritual journal or regularly recounting God's faithfulness can strengthen our faith. Divine JusticeGod's promise to blot out the memory of Amalek underscores His commitment to justice. We can trust that God will ultimately deal with evil and injustice in His perfect timing. Leadership and LegacyMoses is told to recite the event to Joshua, indicating the importance of passing down God's promises and instructions to future generations. As leaders, we should mentor and prepare others to continue God's work. Obedience to God's CommandsThe account of Amalek serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience. We are called to fully obey God's commands, trusting in His wisdom and sovereignty. Spiritual WarfareThe battle with Amalek represents the spiritual battles we face. We must rely on God's strength and guidance to overcome opposition and remain faithful. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the command to write and recite the event to Joshua emphasize the importance of remembering God's promises in your own life? 2. In what ways can you ensure that you are passing down your faith and God's promises to the next generation? 3. How does the account of Amalek challenge you to trust in God's justice and timing when facing opposition or injustice? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced a spiritual battle. How did you rely on God's strength to overcome it? 5. How can the account of Saul and the Amalekites in 1 Samuel 15 serve as a warning about the importance of complete obedience to God? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 25:17-19This passage reiterates the command to remember what Amalek did and the promise to blot out their memory, emphasizing the importance of justice and divine retribution. 1 Samuel 15The account of King Saul's incomplete obedience in dealing with the Amalekites, highlighting the importance of following God's commands fully. Psalm 83:4-7A prayer for God to deal with Israel's enemies, including Amalek, showing the ongoing struggle against those who oppose God's people. Revelation 3:5The promise of having one's name in the Book of Life, contrasting with the blotting out of Amalek's memory, illustrating the eternal consequences of one's relationship with God. People Aaron, Amalek, Amalekites, Hur, Israelites, Joshua, MosesPlaces Egypt, Horeb, Massah, Meribah, Nile River, Rephidim, SinaiTopics Amalek, Am'alek, Blot, Book, Completely, Ears, Hears, Heaven, Heavens, Joshua, Kept, Memorial, Memory, Recite, Record, Rehearse, Remembered, Remembrance, Sky, Sure, Uprooted, Utterly, WipeDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 17:14 1443 revelation, OT
5515 scroll
5638 writing
8467 reminders Exodus 17:8-15 5597 victory, act of God Exodus 17:8-16 1305 God, activity of Library Nature of the Renderings
From the text we now turn to the renderings, and to the general principles that were followed, both in the Old and in the New Testament. The revision of the English text was in each case subject to the same general rule, viz. "To introduce as few alterations as possible into the Text of the Authorised Version consistently with faithfulness"; but, owing to the great difference between the two languages, the Hebrew and the Greek, the application of the rule was necessarily different, and the results …
C. J. Ellicott—Addresses on the Revised Version of Holy ScriptureJehovah Nissi
'And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi [that is, the Lord is my Banner].' --EXODUS xvii. 15. We are all familiar with that picturesque incident of the conflict between Israel and Amalek, which ended in victory and the erection of this memorial trophy. Moses, as you remember, went up on the mount whilst Joshua and the men of war fought in the plain. But I question whether we usually attach the right meaning to the symbolism of this event. We ordinarily, I suppose, think …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The War of Truth
Now, beloved, this scene of warfare is not recorded in Scripture as in interesting circumstance to amuse the lover of history, but it is written for our edification; for we remember the text which says--"Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our profit." There is some profit to be derived from this--and we believe a peculiar profit, too, since God was pleased to make this the first writing commanded by Divine authority as a record for generations to come. We think that the journeys …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857 How Churches Can Help Ministers.
Text.--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's 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.--Exodus xvii. 11-13. You who read your Bibles will …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion Exhortation to Prayer.
…
John Newton—Olney Hymns The Waters of Meribah
'Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. 2. And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. 3. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! 4. And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Intercessor
'These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee: As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Reaction against Egypt
THE XIth DYNASTY: HARMHABI--THE HITTITE EMPIRE IN SYRIA AND IN ASIA MINOR--SETI I. AND RAMSES II.--THE PEOPLE OF THE SEA: MINEPHTAH AND THE ISRAELITE EXODUS. The birth and antecedents of Harmhabi, his youth, his enthronement--The final triumph of Amon and his priests--Harmhabi infuses order into the government: his wars against the Ethiopians and Asiatics--The Khati, their civilization, religion; their political and military constitution; the extension of their empire towards the north--The countries …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 5 Jehovah. The "I Am. "
WHEN Moses in the desert beheld the burning bush God answered his question by the revelation of His name as the "I Am." "And God said unto Moses, I am, that I am: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you" (Exod. iii:14). He who spake thus out of the bush to Moses was the same who in the fullness of time appeared upon the earth in the form of man. Our Lord Jesus Christ is no less person, than the I AM. If we turn to the fourth Gospel in which the Holy …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory "Because the Carnal Mind is Enmity against God, for it is not Subject to the Law of God, Neither Indeed Can Be. "
Rom. viii. 7.--"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Unbelief is that which condemns the world. It involves in more condemnation than many other sins, not only because more universal, but especially because it shuts up men in their misery, and secludes them from the remedy that is brought to light in the gospel. By unbelief I mean, not only that careless neglect of Jesus Christ offered for salvation, but that which is the …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought. …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10, 6-13. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 17:14 NIVExodus 17:14 NLTExodus 17:14 ESVExodus 17:14 NASBExodus 17:14 KJV
Exodus 17:14 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
