20:114, 24; Ezek. nations, and peoples in the world before Amalek came? The Amalekites were not completely destroyed by Saul, since at the end of his reign they were still raiding the Negev of the Cherethites, of Judah, and of Caleb, and the town of Ziklag, that had been assigned by King Achish of Gath to David (I Sam. Amalek the wicked comes from the power of the primordial snake, and it is there that he connects and draws his strength. According to the biblical account, the war began as a result of a divine command of the Lord to Saul through Samuel to smite Amalek and destroy it, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass" (I Sam. One of the horrible characteristics of the Jebusite is racism. This may be seen in the record of Saul's wars in which the war of Amalek receives special mention: "He did valiantly, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them" (I Sam. So what does all of this mean for us today? We are only able to do these things by the grace of God working through the gifts of Gods people. They are relentless in their opposition and will not give up easily. Download our mobile app for on-the-go access to the Jewish Virtual Library, 1998 - 2023 American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. As his epithet Agagite indicates, Haman was a . of the words :When Moses lifted up his hand, Israel prevailed (Ibid. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Romans 9:13, Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. Hebrews 12:16. Esau walked in the flesh and so he and his lineage are a type of the flesh, a type of sin, under Satans dominion, influence. His disobedience led to the loss of his kingdom and, in Esther's time . The Amalekites are the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob (Genesis 36:12,16). And Joshua discomfited (wasted!) The birthright (bekorah) that Esau forfeited and Jacob procured, involves both position and inheritance. Nonetheless, there were many important rabbis who ruled that Amalek still exists and that we are still commanded to remember their deed and to destroy them. The Amalekites are not listed in the table of nations in Genesis 10, as they did not originate until after Esau's time. Genesis 36 refers to the descendants of Amalek, the son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau, as Amalekites (verses 12 and 16). We can now make the following contrasts and comparisons: Thus "doubt," caused by lack of Torah study, is a tactic used
47:19). Rate the pronunciation difficulty of Amalekites. It is possible that this tradition is based on abortive attempts by Israel to expand its holdings in the South during the premonarchic period (see Num. They were first mentioned in the Bible in relation to their attack on the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness after leaving Egypt (Exodus 17:8-16). Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Romans 6:16. There are no well-defined standards for writing algorithms. Although the story of David's victory over the Amalekites is intended to add to his glory, it need not be doubted that it reflects an historical truth about David's wars against the desert tribes in his premonarchial period, being distinguished by exact topographical indications, by correct military-legal conduct, and the division of booty among the cities of Judah and of the Negev (30:9, 2131). This brings us to the particular situation of the Amalekites. What is the Spiritual Meaning of the Number 9. Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 12; compare Timnah as name of an Edomite chief or clan, verse 40). While the Jews were still in Rephidim, the Amalekites, a mightily and fierce people, descendants of Esau, and well-trained in the art of warfare, suddenly attacked the people of Israel. NY: Behrman House, Inc. 1976. 25:1219), for in the early days "the wars of Israel" and the "wars of the Lord" were synonymous expressions (cf., e.g., Judg. Therefore Moses did not participate in the war on earth, so that he
fact, apart from Amalek there was no nation that was not awestruck before the mighty works
Soncino Zohar, Shemoth, Section 2, Page 65b-66a
Amalek may be fairly well-to-do, because he has at least two indentured servants working for him, Daniel and Simon. This text also portrays the brazenness of
Their first encounter with Israel was when they attacked the rear of Israel but were defeated by Joshua at Rephidim (Ex 17:8-13, Deut 25:17, 18). As such we prayerfully rely on the support of our readers/listeners. 15:8) the Amalekite king (Jos., Ant., 11:209). Now when Moses perceived that Samael was
there has been and will be no war like that, nor can even the war of Gog and Magog be
What is the Spiritual Meaning of the Number 10. Indeed the name Amalek ( ) begins with the letter Ayin (symbolizing the eye) and equals 240 in gematria -- the same value for safek ( ), meaning "doubt," and for rahm ( ), meaning "haughty." * The spirits of the Amalekites are the spirits of the ancestors. In the biblical traditions, Israel, after sinning through cowardice and lack of faith as a result of the discouraging report of the spies, turned around and "defiantly marched to the crest of the hill country" (Num. As long
4 " Come, " they say, "let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel's name is remembered no more. The following truth unveils the nature of these wicked personalities and they are planted in every homes and families. Moses, in order to screen the reproach of his father-in-law, sought to convert the
But the Amalekites were cruel cowards. Because of Sauls disobedience, God rejected him as king (1 Samuel 15:23). The figure of Amalek (first mentioned in Genesis 14:17) gives us a
Haman was an Agagite and the son of Hammedatha. against him and prevail, and therefore he said unto him: go and fight against
Rabin (19602), 176; Jos., Ant., 3:40). 4. Deu 25:19 Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it. The Amalekites were nomadic people who inhabited the southern part of Canaan, between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. Amalek was one of the sons of Eliphaz and a grandson of Esau ( Gen 36:15, 16; 1 Chron 1:36 ). The Canaanite city of Sodom is destroyed by God It is a command that led the leading atheist Richard Dawkins to claim that the God of the Old Testament was "a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic. This gives us a clue as to what their spiritual meaning may be.The Amalekites represent those things in our lives that are unclean and unwanted. prevailed, but otherwise they fell. bloodshed. 2008 The Gale Group. When you are bombarded with negatives -start rejoicing. Worship Him! VII) Amalek Exists and We are Still Commanded to Blot them Out. Simeon said: There is a deep allusion in the name Rephidim. The war with Amalek did not end with their defeat, and the Israelites were commanded always to remember the deeds of Amalek (Deut. Were there not many tribes,
Numbers 24:20 NIV 20 Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message: "Amalek was first among the nations, but their end will be utter destruction." . It is related that when Samuel put Agag to death he said "As your sword has bereaved women, so shall your mother be the most bereaved of women" (I Sam. 15:4; Ezek. 10). Amalek is a quality that helps us develop optimally, and it constantly guards us. Saul's act of extermination was not absolute, for he spared the best of the sheep and cattle setting aside part for a sacrifice to God and Agag, king of Amalek. Esau and Amalek are a type of Satan who was ousted by Jesus redemptive cross and lost his place of rulership over all who possess the born again birthright via being bought and paid for by the precious blood of the Lamb (Romans 5:9; 2 Corinthians 5:15-21; Colossians 2:14-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19, etc.). English translation by Avi Weinstein, Altamira Press, London, 1994, p. 320. Inasmuch as contemporary archaeology has convinced most biblicists that the biblical traditions of enslavement in Egypt, wilderness wandering, and conquest of the land are unhistorical, traditions about Amalek and Israel in the pre-settlement period probably reflect later realities. Evil has a foothold in this
were ever a strap of chastisement for Israel. And when Moses lowered his hand, Amalek was stronger" (Exodus 17:11). The Amalekites are a people mentioned a number of times in the Hebrew Bible. They first appear in the Bible as enemies of Israel when they attacked the Israelites shortly after they had left Egypt. Amalek is directly tied to
the ox and the
XXXII, 33), for they are of the seed of Amalek, of whom it is said,
Amalek is living in the land of the Negev and the Hittites and the Jebusites and the Amorites are living in the hill country, and the Canaanites are living by the sea and by the side of the Jordan.". namely Israel above. 14:45). Amalek is a son of Esau's first-born son Eliphaz and of the concubine Timna, the daughter of Seir, the Horite, and sister of Lotan (Gen. xxxvi. They are the things that we try to ignore or push away, but which keep coming back to haunt us. *They are the polygamous enemies and powers maiming the destiny of men especially if you are from a polygamous family. 5:23). Once we realize that, we can begin to take our stand against the enemy and resist his attacks.The best weapon we have against the spirit of Amalek is the Word of God. Who does the Amalek target most? In regard to them it is written, Whoso hath sinned against me, him will I blot out
That is how Amalek stands guard to guide us in the right direction. Thousands reached daily, worldwide 24/7/365. We need to be courageous like Moses and have faith that God will help us overcome our enemies. Do you need a new Bible or Christian Gifts? Hence he said: I will prepare myself for the
In the course of time this biblical injunction became so deeply rooted in Jewish thought that many important enemies of Israel were identified as direct descendants of Amalek. 3:1213). And withal God takes account of a good motive, and since
Your email address will not be published. The Jews had been living in exile in Persia, and, when King Xerxes (also known as King Ahasuerus) banished his queen . 34:5; Josh. Thus the tannaitic aggadah of the first century B.C.E. XX, 8); it was they
Hence the meaning of the name in this context is not merely geographic (Judg. They are first mentioned in the book of Exodus, where they attacked the Israelites as they were making their way out of Egypt. feared not God (Deut. The Shengold Jewish Encyclopedia. From the scanty information in I Samuel 15, it may be concluded that Saul achieved victory over the Amalekites and advanced all the way to their headquarters, "the city of Amalek." In 1 Samuel 15, we see that God commanded Saul to exterminate the Amalekites, but he disobeyed and spared King Agag and the best of the livestock. Who were the Amalekites and what do they Represent to us? Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Amalek the flesh, a type. 1998. (Gen. 25:18). In 1 Samuel 15:2-3, God tells Saul, Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Among these traditions we find that Amalekites attacked the Israelites in a pitched battle at Rephidim, which, to judge by the Bible (Ex. A godly mother is a woman of prayer (1 Samuel 1:10, 12, & 15) One of the greatest gifts that you can give to your children is to be a woman of prayer. Thus Amalek became the "first among the nations" (Num . The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe that inhabited the southern part of Canaan. This powerful weapon will enable us to stand firm in our faith and defeat every lie of the enemy. specific insight as his persecution of Israel. Verse Concepts. The battle (or the main one) was waged in "the wadi," by which is perhaps meant the Wadi of Egypt (cf. 2 See how Your foes rear their heads. He was outside the family of GOD, and no effort was ever made to bring him into the family of GOD. The Amalekites took part in the battles in the valley of Jezreel (6:33; 7:12) and perhaps also in the Jordan Valley, but there is no evidence that Gideon also fought with the Amalekites in his pursuit of the Midianites in Transjordan. XXVI, 25) with the sword
Amalek! See1 Samuel 15:9-15. XXIV, 20). In describing the actual battle with Amalek, the Torah says: "When Moses raised his hand, Israel was stronger. The matter was, therefore, a war of rescue as were the wars of the Judges, and it seems that because of its difficulty Saul vowed that in the event of success he would devote the spoil to the Lord by erem. Even though He did nothing to influence the degenerate heart and downward plunge of Esau, the LORD God, who is love, foreknew the rebellion, the willful wickedness of Esau (1 John 4:8, 16). Lev. The Book of Exodus relates that Joshua fought against Amalek under the inspiration of Moses, who was supported by Aaron and Hur, and that he mowed them down with the sword. 17:14). "Amalek came and battled Israel in Rephidim." (Exodus 17:8) "G-d maintains a war against Amalek, from generation to generation." (Exodus 17:15) The first Chassidic discourse by the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe (after the passing of his father the 5th Rebbe in 1920 in Rostov, during the Russian Communist Revolution) was on the verse "Amalek is the first among the nations, and in the . So then, because
Moments with Our Master 365 Day Devotional [book], Grow in Christ Edification Pack Special [books], 40 Bible Verses Every Disciple MUST Know! When it comes to the spirit of Amalek, there are a few things that every Christian should know. 47:19), then this battle was waged in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula. The flesh never gets converted, and never becomes holy in itself. There are five that we get from this text 1. There are no modern-day Amalekites. As children of God, as we are crucified with Christ, keeping our hands and hearts upward in worship-filled obedience to the LORD, we will defeat, discomfit the flesh and the evil one! Amalek is a sub-tribe of Edom, and speaks prophetically of the love of money. XXII,
HIM AND HE SAT THEREON: to participate in the distress of Israel. fighting the first battle which God Himself commanded? and in the world to come. Amalek's assault on Israel drew the anger of God on two counts: 1) they failed to recognize the hand and plan of God in Israel's life and destiny and. 2) The Amalekites were extremely cruel. Without raising the possibility of textual reconstruction in detail, it may be established, by drawing a parallel with the element "people," which appears repeatedly in this song, that the name Amalek in the masoretic text is the authentic one. Amalek is now at work in America. Both Moses in Exodus 17 and Mordechai in the scroll of Esther understood that prayer and fasting were needed tools to combat this evil spirit of antisemitism. Characteristics Of Amalekites The Amalekites were nomadic people who inhabited the southern part of Canaan, between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. What is the Spiritual Meaning of Amalekites? 4. The name Amalek comes from the Hebrew word for dung or desert wanderer. Those among the Amalekites who lived in the border regions maintained a relationship to the Kenites, who certainly lived near the permanent settlements (I Sam. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When Amalek attacked the Israelites, their desire was to steal the wealth that they had gotten from Egypt as payment for centuries of slavery ( Ex. one's life is at stake: Talmud, Sanhedrin 74a - R. Johanan said in the name
Just as Gods people had war with Amalek from generation to generation, so the people of God under the New Testament, have a war God has granted us grace (divine enablement) to win through the cross (2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Although Amalek was killed long ago, the Torah and other writings
Esau was the older brother of Jacob (who became Israel). They are a people who generations of interpreters have charged with moral turpitude, a filthy and disgusting people. above. The command imposed on Saul to subject the Amalekites to the ban (erem), however, conforms to the version in Deuteronomy. Throughout Scripture, we see that the Amalekites were considered enemies of God and His people.They serve as a reminder that disobedience has consequences and that we are to obey God no matter what the cost. Even so, people like to treat the term symbolically, as a stand-in for an implacable Jew-hater. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:13-14. Warfare in the Old Testament was a very cruel thing in our modern eyes, even when Israel fought. A similar expression occurs in the description of the much wider range of the Ishmaelites: "From Havilah, by Shur, which is east of (or close to) Egypt, etc." We must also stand firm in our faith, knowing that God is ultimately victorious over all evil. Moses commanded Joshua to select men to fight, and the Israelites met the Amalekites in battle. Because he was able to divine the
Exo 17:9 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.