Their final defeat occurred in the time of Hezekiah. 2 Kings 17:24 KJV. d. Jethro visits and watches Moses Judge the people and offers Moses advice. The Amalekites harassed the Hebrews during their Exodus from Egypt and attacked them at Rephidim near Mount Sinai, where they were defeated by Joshua. "Amalek was the first of the nations, But his end shall be destruction." Amalekites Defeated by david 1 Samuel 27:8-9 Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites and the Girzites and the Amalekites; for they were the inhabitants of the land from ancient times, as you come to Shur even as far as the land of Egypt. 2 The Lord All-Powerful says: 'When the Israelites came out of Egypt, the Amalekites tried to stop them from going to Canaan. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:1920 ESV). The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. (2) The injunction "Remember" does not enjoin us to recall the evil actions of others but rather our own. This is perhaps the most widely ignored command in the Bible. That is pretty large distance of battle between Arabia and Egypt. The Amorites' sin had not escaped God's notice. David These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Moses holding up his arms during the Battle of Refidim, assisted by Hur and Aaron, in John Everett Millais Victory O Lord! Despite the "pre-deuteronomic" literary framework of chapter 15 and its prophetic-ideological aim, embedded in it is an ancient historical tradition about a war of extermination that reflects Saul's war against Amalek. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:2223 ESV). [30][31], According to the Midrash, the Amalekites were sorcerers who could transform themselves to resemble animals, in order to avoid capture. First God must prepare a renewed humanity, and only then can there be a restored cosmos. [9] But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambseverything that was good. And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the In Judaism, three of the 613 mitzvot (commandments) involve Amalek: to remember what the Amalekites did to the Israelites, not to forget what the Amalekites did to Israelites, and to destroy the Amalekites utterly. When God in judgment withdrew His hand of blessing and ordered them to go back S into the wilderness (14:1-25), the people again disobeyed God, and with their own feeble effort attacked the Amalekites. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Start for FREE. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. During the period of the Judges, the Amalekites participated with other nations in attacks on the Israelite tribes. 3 Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Although Samuel alludes to Amalek's provocation of Israel, "in opposing them on the way, when they came up out of Egypt" (15:2), there is no mention of the battle of Rephidim and of the victorious war of Moses and Joshua. That Amaleks unrelenting and destructive spirit and action against God and the cause of His people Israel was heinous to the Lord is seen later in the reminder to Saul concerning these wilderness incidents and in Gods command that the king is to destroy these God-defying Amalekites (1 Sam 15:2, 3; cf. It seems that somehow or other, an Amalekite or two continued to survive and their theme always seems to be the destruction of the Jewish people: Aka Haman. This book was written to address and resolve the 600 year disparity between Biblical history and secular ancient history. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. Their final defeat occurred in the time of Hezekiah. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey. (1 Samuel 15:23 ESV). R. 26:3). Killing the Amalekites | Precept Austin When the nation was weak and vulnerable the Amalekites attacked the weakest and most vulnerable of the nation ( Deuteronomy 25:18 ). Jewish Literacy. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. 1 Samuel 15: Seven Lessons on God's Judgment from the Sins of the Moses appointed Joshua to lead the Israelite army not because of his own weakness or advanced years but because he wished "to train Joshua in warfare" (Mekhilta, 179; Ex. [26] However, the modern biblical scholar David Freedman uses textual analysis to glean that the use of Amalekite in Genesis 14:7 is actually an anachronism,[13] and in the early 19th century, Richard Watson enumerated several speculative reasons for having a "more ancient Amalek" than Abraham. 15:5). The Amalekites provide an explanation for the irrational and intense hatred for Jews that echoes through human history. The Amalekites persisted in their sin . 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. An offense against the line of promise invites judgment and recompense from the Lord as in the Old Testament, so in the New. M. Weippert, Semitische Nomaden des zweiten Jahrtausends. Where did the Amalekites come from? - TimesMojo Thus, in 1 Samuel 15:3, it was considered necessary to destroy the livestock in order to destroy Amalek. God also gave each an opportunity to repent before He judged them. | The Christian Century 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. First, God gave the Amalekites 400 years to repent before He judged them of . 3 Why did God want to destroy the Amalekites? 47:19). They were the first nation to attack the Israelites when they left Egypt ( Exodus 17:8; Numbers 14:45 ). All Rights Reserved Bridger, David. 1998. Therefore, the archaeologist and historian Hugo Winckler suggested in 1895 that there were never any such people and the Biblical stories concerning them are entirely mythological and ahistorical. For an Rabbanic explanation of Timna lineage see. The Amalekites clearly survived well after the time of Saul, despite his hollow boasts. The name "Amalek" can refer to the nation's founder, a grandson of Esau; his descendants, the Amalekites; or the territories of Amalek, which they inhabited. New International Version (NIV). These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Amalek is described as the "chief of Amalek" among the "chiefs of the sons of Esau," from which it is assumed that he ruled a clan or territory named after him . That means that God gave the Amalekites more than 400 years to turn from their wicked ways as compared to the 40 days that he gave to the people of Nineveh but unlike the Ninevites, the Amalekites did not repent. [29], According to a midrash, Amalek's mother Timna was a princess who had tried to convert to Judaism but had been rejected by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The King (and presumably many senior officials) survived and many others did as well. There the Amalekites appear to have found them and cruelly massacred them. They were to be under him and over everything else. balsam Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. In the wilderness wanderings. Saul then made a statement of repentance and obtained some public reconciliation with the prophet Samuel, following which the prophet then killed Agag, the Amalekite king (15:24-33). Corrections? Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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. For this sin, God damned the Amalekites, commanding the Jews to wage a holy war to exterminate them. 2:55), the Amalekites did not deviate from their desert nomadic character until they ceased to exist. Evidently the Amalekites had some cities, as this one, in which they sometimes settled, and possibly fulfilled religious obligations as has been shown was the case of nomadic tribes in the Trans-Jordan in connection with a 15th cent. vs06 I edited your question, feel free to revert to original or edit further as you wish. It only takes a minute to sign up. The king attacked and conquered this foe with their city called Amalek (1 Sam 15:4-7) the exact location of which is not known. It should be noted that even the deuteronomic erem, though it does not allow for the sparing of persons (such as Agag), except for particular ones (like Rahab) specified in advance, permits the taking of booty (e.g., Deut. Answer: The Amalekites were a tribe first mentioned during the time of Abraham ( Genesis 14:7 ). According to the Bible, Amalek was the son of Eliphaz (himself the son of Esau, ancestor of the Edomites) and Eliphaz's concubine Timna. The focus of Psalm 84 is the delight of worship. You never know. Therefore, all who are wise will forsake their sin and seek absolution through the means that he provides. Surely, there were Amalekites who lived beyond this region. and only as a remnant whom some of the Simeonites defeated at Mount Seir (i.e., Edom; Gen 32:3; 1 Chron 4:41-43). Save 15% on BibleGateway+ with code SPRINGSTUDY15. Agag (/ e /; Hebrew: gg) is a Northwest Semitic name or title applied to a biblical king.It has been suggested that "Agag" was a dynastic name of the kings of Amalek, just as Pharaoh was used as a dynastic name for the ancient Egyptians. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. A summary of Davids conquests of Amalek is given in 2 Samuel 8:12 and 1 Chronicles 18:11. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. [25] According to Samuel Cox, the Amalekites were the "first" in their hostility toward the Israelites. [13] However, it is possible that some of the fortified settlements in the Negev highlands and even Tel Masos (near Beer-sheba) have Amalek connections. The most immediate answer would seem to be that unlike the people of Ninevah, the Amalekites did not repent, though they were given plenty of time to do so. It is a reminder that wickedness is a cancer that must be removed before the renewal and restoration of all things. 15:6). Saul was severely rebuked for this incomplete job and his attempt at "spin" by suggesting that all had been eliminated when, clearly, they had not. By the time Aaron died, the final location of the Staff was lost, although it was believed to have been stolen from Solomons Temple around the same time as the Ark of the Covenant. Concerning further harassment Moses recounts how, in Israels journey from Egypt, Amalek, with no fear of God, attacked their rear guard and cut off those who became physically weak (Deut 25:17, 18). More metaphorically, to some Hasidic rabbis (particularly the Baal Shem Tov), Amalek represents atheism or the rejection of God. Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. Saul Defeats the Amalekites but Spares - BibleGateway That is why Gods partial acts of judgment and mitigation in the Old Testament tend to be broad and all-encompassing in their scope. Also Minchat Chinuch, parshat Ki Tetze, mitzvah 434. As this text makes abundantly clear, enjoyment of Gods creation is dependent upon our obedience. Updates? The total destruction of the Amalekites was an echo of the flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, as also an anticipation of the final judgment at the end of the age. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Psalm 95 identifies no author, but Hebrews 4:7 attributes it to David. I'd be interested if that Amalekite bloodline still survives aka Hitler etc. Answer The Amalekites were a formidable tribe of nomads living in the area south of Canaan, between Mount Seir and the Egyptian border. In Leviticus 27:32, a rod was used by the priests to count the tithe. But if we remain in our sins, then we will perish in our sins, as Jesus himself said in the Gospel of Luke: No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3 ESV). 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. The last mention of the Amalekites is found in the book of Esther where Haman the Agagite, a descendant of the Amalekite king Agag, connives to have all the Jews in Persia annihilated by order of King Xerxes. They were among the nomadic raiders defeated by Gideon and were condemned to annihilation by Samuel. What would outsiders refer to them as? Why did God want to destroy the Amalekites? It is entirely consistent with the overall storyline and theology of the Bible. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. Life of David + DAVID Flashcards | Quizlet Whereas the Kenites passed into permanent settlement during the First Temple period and were assimilated in Judah (I Chron. Consider his excuse for not killing all the livestock, for example. [24][25] It is, however, possible that the name Amalek may have been given to two different nations. 22:22)? To touch the people of God is to touch God. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. When it says that the iniquity of the Amorites has not reached its fullness, one way of looking at it is that there was still a chance to eliminate the gene pool of the seed of the elohim. William Morrow and Company, Inc. 1991. Access 50+ premium resources. 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. read in Amalek. Judges 6:3, 33; 7:12 depict the Amalekites joining forces with the Midianites (who seem to have wandered in the area of Sinai [Exod 4:19] and wilderness E of Paran [1 Kings 11:18]; and also in the territory E of Gilead [Judg 8:4-12]), and making camel raids against the agriculture communities of Israel as far S as Gaza (6:3, 4). So this explains why David would still be fighting Amalekites in his time. The Amalekites were a people of the Negev and adjoining desert that were a hereditary enemy of Israel from wilderness times to the early monarchy. [24], Alternatively, during the Islamic Golden Age, certain Arabic writings claimed that the Amalekites existed long before Abraham. 17:14). Now if the Hebrew Samarians went to war with Assyria and lost and the New Samarians went to war with Assyria decades later did Assyria fight the same people group? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. contradiction - Is God still at war with Amalek? - Biblical in "hill country of Seir." The decisive clash between Israel and Amalek came only with the advent of the monarchy, in the famous Amalekite war of Saul. Though the Amalekites are not mentioned in the table of nations in Genesis 10, in Numbers 24:20 they are referred to as "first among the nations.". [11], According to the Bible, the Amalekites inhabited the Negev. Some believe that this Amalekite patronage of the Kenites is also mentioned in Judges 1:16, reading (in accordance with a few Septuagint manuscripts and the Latin Vulgate version) "and they settled with the Amalekite" instead of "and they settled with the people." 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. According to the Bible, Amalek was the first enemy that Israel encountered after the crossing of the Sea of Reeds. Five centuries later, as recorded in the story of Esther, an evil man named Haman plotted genocide against the Jews in Persia during the reign of Xerxes. What we do have is historical documentation that shows that some Amalekites lived well beyond the time of Saul. The name "Amalek" can refer to the nation's founder, a grandson of Esau; his descendants, the Amalekites; or the territories of Amalek, which they inhabited. Both Joshua and Moses are a prophetic picture of Yeshua the Messiah. What did the Amalekites do wrong? - Studybuff 17:6, 7, 816; 18:5), is in the neighborhood of Horeb; if the locality Massah and Meribah (17:7) is to be found in the region of Kadesh-Barnea or is identical with it (Num. If they defeat me, you flee, and if not, come and help me against Israel.". Amalekites are presented as descendants of Amalek, a grandson of Esau. (3) The verse "Remember" is meant to remind all men of "the rule which holds good for all generations, namely, that the scourge [the staff of God's indignation] with which Israel is smitten will itself finally be smitten" (Mekhilta, 181). This is the sequence taught by Jesus himself: Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.