sin): Soncino Zohar, Bereshith, Section 1, Page 28b,29a - Various So, the flesh must be crucified or we will die, sin will separate us from God not from His love but from His life. But instead, they chose to fight against Gods chosen people (Numbers 14:39-45). temple: Talmud, Yoma 9b - Why was the first Sanctuary But as soon as Jewish study became lax, they were in danger. 15:4; Ezek. He was born to Eliphaz by his concubine Timna ( Gen 36:12) was one of the tribal chiefs . Rabbi Alan Odess, a teacher at Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education, does think of Amalek as the specific nation that attacked the People of Israel, but he believes that, "There are characteristics, underlying values, that Amalek exemplified," such as attacking the weak and defenseless. On the analogy of the genealogies of the sons of Nahor by concubinage (Gen. 22:24) and of Abraham's sons by Keturah and Hagar it may be surmised that Amalek's genealogy was intended to imply his special status as a nomad as distinct from the sedentary Edomites, in the same way as the Ishmaelites or the children of Keturah were distinct from the sedentary descendants of Abraham. Deuteronomy explicitly admonishes the Israelites to remember Amalek and blot out its memory from under heaven, whereas in the Exodus version this can only be inferred (see above). (2) The injunction "Remember" does not enjoin us to recall the evil actions of others but rather our own. Why did Moses abstain from Why did God say again and again that there would always be war with the Amalekites? Haman was an Agagite and the son of Hammedatha. earth. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The magnitude of the Amalekite defeat in the days of Saul is apparently reflected in the pronouncement of Balaam: "Their (i.e., Israel's) king shall rise above Agag, their kingdom shall be exalted" (Num. doubt in the minds of humans (i.e, such as in the Garden of Eden story). This showed their stubbornness and unwillingness to change which earned Jehovahs wrath. - When a young man who lives at ease in his father's house begins to make all sorts of More closely historical than the Pentateuch's accounts of Amalek are the traditions set in the period of the Judges and the monarchy. Even so, people like to treat the term symbolically, as a stand-in for an implacable Jew-hater. What Is The Spiritual Meaning Of Yom Kippur? 14:4445) against the divine command and was punished by sustaining a shattering blow at the hands of the Amalekites and Canaanites who inhabited the hill country, the former no doubt being confined to its southernmost end (Num. were afraid; trembling took hold of the inhabitants of Pelesheth (Ex. 3 /5. Warfare in the Old Testament was a very cruel thing in our modern eyes, even when Israel fought. Grounded daily in the Word. The Amalekites were a formidable tribe of nomads living in the area south of Canaan, between Mount Seir and the Egyptian border. 12; compare Timnah as name of an Edomite chief or clan, verse 40). Amalek's chief weapon is to foment doubt . When They said one to another: Let In 1 Samuel 15:2-3, God tells Saul, Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. of evil is the final victory in the epic battle with Amalek. UNTO JOSHUA, CHOOSE US OUT MEN, AND GO OUT, FIGHT WITH AMALEK. That they were of obscure origin is . 2:55), the Amalekites did not deviate from their desert nomadic character until they ceased to exist. In 1834, a ruthless and unrelenting campaign was begun against Reb Noson to prevent. which a Jew is expected to give up his life. As Christians, we need to be on guard against both. Finally he who had spared the Amalekite from the sword was slain by the hand of an Amalekite,2 Samuel 1:8-10. 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." who brought him to this. It seeks to destroy anything that is good or righteous, and it rejoices in chaos and suffering. Infamy notwithstanding, its roots are not so easily decipherable. 5:14). 8). Genesis 36:12(c) The meaning of this word is a people that take away all. Originally Amalek was a grandson of Esau. This is an around-the-clock operation that involves several God-fearing servants and much technological expertise and costs. The enemy is defeated through proper, thorough biblical worship all the the Bible teaches about knowing and walking with Jesus! Amalek was a grandson of Jacob's brother Esav. Amalek is a sub-tribe of Edom, and speaks prophetically of the love of money. He was outside the family of GOD, and no effort was ever made to bring him into the family of GOD. The Amalekites were nomadic people who inhabited the southern part of Canaan. Perhaps the author merely wishes to define the normal range of the nomadic Amalekites in the time of Saul. man, started out to fight Amalek, the Young Man above was stirred, and together being called Samael (lit. identifies Amalek with Rome (Bacher, Tann, 1 (19302), 146). Amalek, a son of Esau's son Eliphaz, was presumably the eponymous ancestor of the Amalekites. And it is a profoundly dangerous idea to turn real, living peoples into biblical stereotypes worthy of extermination (Deuteronomy 25:19, 1 Samuel 15:2-3). Hence, and Amalek came.". Exo 17:16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. Jewish Literacy. 15:6). The reason was that Moses in his wisdom attaches himself to that sore evil, and he will be punished both in this world Until true worship is given to God and not self, until the flesh, the old man is crucified, sin and Satan will wreak havoc with stealing, killing, destroying (John 10:10). However, the meaning of Amalek in the Bible is actually much more significant. Choose worthy men, righteous and the sons of the righteous, to accompany The following passage associates the coming of Amalek with the union of They are a people who generations of interpreters have charged with moral turpitude, a filthy and disgusting people. According to the Bible, Amalek was the first enemy that Israel encountered after the crossing of the Sea of Reeds. Exo 17:10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Why did he tell Israel to utterly destroy them?. destroyed? The Amalekites became a semi nomadic people who had two opposing primary characteristics. It is thy battle, the battle here below, and I will prepare myself for the battle Typology: Whats the first attack we encounter after being saved? Ed. 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." XX, 8); it was they Moderate. HIM AND HE SAT THEREON: to participate in the distress of Israel. They first appear in the book of Exodus, when they attacked the Israelites as they were fleeing from Egypt.The Israelites were victorious in that battle, but the Amalekites continued to harass them throughout their journey to the Promised Land. contraction of Hebrew words meaning "they loosened their grip on Torah." 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.". (Ex. SafeGuardYourSoul is an independent publisher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, feeding and equipping His flock and winning the lost. Often used in the plural. 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). (Gen. 25:18). The following truth unveils the nature of these wicked personalities and they are planted in every homes and families. Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. ever.. They that are current wasters/destroyers of the churches have certain characteristics. Schreiber, Mordecai (ed.). From this impurity (Ibid. - Amalek & Israel - Land & People - The Amalekites & the Kenites - In the Aggadah Amalek and Israel 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. to generation (Ex. 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. The Amalekites (/ m l k a t s /) were considered to be Amalek's descendants through the genealogy of Esau. *They are the polygamous enemies and powers maiming the destiny of men especially if you are from a polygamous family. Providing Christ-centered, Scripture-rich communications and resources to feed, nourish, to edify, comfort, instruct, and equip Christs disciples in His perfect ways given us in His perfect Word (Psalms 119:105; Ephesians 4:11-12). 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. Because of Sauls disobedience, God rejected him as king (1 Samuel 15:23). Amalek's power is traced directly to the serpent, the master of planting Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. This implies that Israel is commanded to wage a holy war of extermination against Amalek (Deut. Characteristics Of Amalekites The Amalekites were nomadic people who inhabited the southern part of Canaan, between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. power of severe judgement predominates in the world. So here, Amalek came and Also, the sword here represents the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). These three sins are said to be what caused the destruction of the first Not so; only the text signifies that so long as Israel Amalek as having no regard for God whatsoever: Soncino Zohar, Shemoth, Section 2,Page 65a - And Very difficult. That which is born of the flesh remains flesh. doers" of the Torah is of Amalek and the anti-Messiah. and completely defeated, something will remain missing in this world and the celestial What is the spiritual meaning of seeing a kingfisher? 1 Sam 15:4 Saul mustered the troops and enrolled them at Telaim: 200,000 men on foot, and 10,000 men of Judah. We can now make the following contrasts and comparisons: Thus "doubt," caused by lack of Torah study, is a tactic used Amalek means warlike. Finally, we need to proclaim victory over this enemy in Jesus name! For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8, Overcoming the flesh requires continually delighting in the LORD, worshipping Him in Spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24). etc. Finally, we must always remember that no matter how strong our enemies may seem God is stronger still. compared with it; and this not because of the mighty armies taking part in it, but because Sha'are Orah (Gates of Light) Rabbi Joseph Gikatilla, [podcast]. impurities are mingled in the composition of Israel, like animals among men. Were NY: Behrman House, Inc. 1976. He chose sin instead of the Savior. The spirit of the Jebusite represents a spirit that puts people down, humiliate them or makes them feel small. fright gripped them." Additionally, we need to be willing to stand up and fight against these forces whenever they rear their ugly heads.We cannot afford to be complacent or passive in the face of evil. 24:7). he sinned in striking the rock when he was told to speak to it (Num. 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. Exo 17:11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. They are considered to be descended from an ancestry Amalek. The Talmud equates the elevation of Moses' hands in the battle against For this them with the clouds of glory, made the Shekinah go before them, gave them manna to eat, Those who lag behind in the service of the Lord thus separating themselves from Christians who are on the march, will find that this enemy Amalek will make inroads in their souls and lives. Studylight.org, What Happened when Moses Held Up His Hand? All the tragedies which Israel suffered are considered the direct outcome of Amalek's hostile act (PdRK 27). (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). 13:13 ff. the ox and the The Midrash explains that the name "Refidim" is a 10). First, it means you are breaking free or the spirit would not be telling you "you can't!". xv, 14); in Telushkin, Joseph. thou shalt blot out the memory of Amalek (Deut. by the enemy to prevent the "completion" of the Temple/Throne of God and the Amalek! It is a spirit of hatred and destruction that seeks to annihilate anything and everything that represents God.In order to overcome the spirit of Amalek, we must first understand who our true enemy is. The . war above, and thou, Joshua, prepare thyself for the war below. This is the meaning 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). Amalek, a son of Esau's son Eliphaz, was presumably the eponymous ancestor of the Amalekites. 8:5, 12; cf. Who were the Amalekites and what do they Represent to us? v, 11), Download our mobile app for on-the-go access to the Jewish Virtual Library, 1998 - 2023 American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites to exterminate the Amalekites because they had attacked them during their Exodus from Egypt. The Amalekites were a biblical people and enemy of the Israelites. Torah: The Torah says: "Amalek battled Israel in (a place called) Seir, killed the survivors of Amalek, and settled there. That is how Amalek stands guard to guide us in the right direction. Victory over the Amalekites. might throw himself with greater zeal into the war in Heaven, and thus promote victory on Together with the Ammonites, they joined Moab against Israel and were among those who captured "the city of palms" apparently Jericho or the pasture lands of Jericho (Judg. Were there not many tribes, They were reportedly wiped out almost entirely as the result of Israelite victories against them in wars beginning shortly after the Exodus and continuing into the period of the early Israelite monarchy. King Agag, king of the Amalekites, was spared by Saul. The word Amalek appears in the Old Testament, specifically in Exodus 17:8-16.In this passage, God tells Moses to take revenge on the Amalekites for attacking the Israelites while they were traveling through the wilderness. spheres (Exodus 17:14-16) for as long as Amalek is around, spewing his venom, the Though there have been other societies with . The Amalekites were the first ones to attack the Israelites upon their exodus from Egypt, the world. Shengold Books. Gods people were being destroyed by Amalek. 24:18, 20). What is the Spiritual Meaning of the Number 9. represents God's throne on earth; Amalek represents the attack on the throne. JULY 13, 2021 Exodus 17:14-16 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.". Now when Moses perceived that Samael was They were known for their brutality and for being a constant thorn in the side of the Israelites. In the Book of Deuteronomy (25, 19) it is a commandment incumbent upon the people Israel to wipe out the memory of Amalek - "you shall wipe out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven . As such we prayerfully rely on the support of our readers/listeners. When you are bombarded with negatives -start rejoicing.