Keraia
Exodus 17

Exodus 17:12

The Defeat of the Amalekites · Exodus 17:8–16
Read Exodus 17

Translations

Modern
When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And the hands of Moses became heavy, and they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands—one from this, and one from that—and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
Latin
Manus autem Moysi erant graves: sumentes igitur lapidem, posuerunt subter eum, in quo sedit: Aaron autem et Hur sustentabant manus ejus ex utraque parte. Et factum est ut manus illius non lassarentur usque ad occasum solis.

Original

Hebrew
English
When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.

Notes

Exodus 17:9–13

This victory was a gift from God. The description in this passage makes that clear.

God’s blessing determined the outcome of the battle. Moses showed this by raising his hands. When his hands were lifted up, Israel prevailed.

This pattern appeared again and again when Israel entered the land of Canaan. When God blessed them, they succeeded.

But without God’s blessing, Israel could do nothing. They failed when they tried to fight on their own (see Numbers 14:42–45; Joshua 7:10–12).

Exodus 17:8–16

Israel defeated the Amalekites only because God blessed them and took care of them.

Events

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Hur: A companion of Moses and grandfather of Bezalel Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Aaron Amalek, Amalekites Arabia, Arabs Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Hur Joshua (Person) Moses Numbers, Book of Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Aaron and Hur: Support the Hands of Moses Answers To Prayer: Moses Armies: March in Ranks: when Aaron and Hur Held up Moses' Hands Hur: An Israelite Who Assisted in Supporting Moses' Hands During Battle Intercession: Answered: During the Battle with the Amalekites Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Rephidim: Amalek Overcome Miracles Wrought Through Servants of God: Moses and Aaron: Amalek Vanquished Miracles: Catalogue of The Defeat of Amalek Prayer: Answered: Moses, in the Battle with the Amalekites The Amalekites: Discomfited at Rephidim Through the Intercession of Moses