Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 25:17
Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;
17. Remember, etc.] The construction, even to the change from Sg. to Pl., is the same as in Deu 24:9, q.v. For other historical statements introd. by remember, see Deu 5:15, Deu 7:18, Deu 9:7, Deu 15:15, Deu 16:12.
as ye came forth ] LXX, Vulg. thou earnest. But the Pl. is probably original here, and may be regarded as an echo of Deu 23:4 (5), Deu 24:9.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
17 19. On ‘Amale
Israel, remembering ‘Amale’s impious treatment of their derelicts on the way from Egypt, must, when they rest from their enemies in the land, exterminate ‘Amale. In the Sg. address (except for an accidental Pl. in Deu 25:17) and partly in D’s phrasing; but also with phrases from E ( Deu 25:18 f.), and therefore, like so much else in D, based upon E. This is confirmed by another reference to the same behaviour of ‘Amale in a passage which otherwise shows affinity to E (1Sa 15:2). Further, Israel’s attitude to ‘Amale under Saul and David, was one of implacable hostility. There is therefore no ground for supposing that this law is a late addition to D (Steuern., Berth., the latter of whom takes it for a piece of haggadah); and it falls in with D’s other laws on foreign nations, Deu 23:3-8.
The reference cannot be to E’s description of the pitched battle in Rephidim, in which Joshua discomfited ‘Amale (Exo 17:8-13), nor indeed to any other single contest with that tribe; but is rather to the harassment which Israel suffered throughout the wilderness. Such cruel treatment of the stragglers and derelicts of the host by the wild Arabs of the desert is extremely probable (cp. Doughty, Ar. Des. ii. 153, etc.); and the memory of it would be bitter enough to account for such an early oracle against ‘Amale as is quoted by E, Exo 17:14, and for this law, as well as for the lasting hatred of ‘Amale by Israel (enforced as this was by ‘Amaleite raids on Israel after their settlement) and their desire for his extermination. See 1Sa 14:48 ; 1Sa 15:2 f, Deu 27:8 f., Deu 28:18 (which regards Saul’s fall as due to his not having fully executed God’s wrath on ‘Amale), Deu 30:1 f., 2Sa 8:12. Such feelings may well have continued after ‘Amale’s disappearance from the history of Israel; D’s restatement of them is on a level with the command to exterminate the Canaanites and other peoples of the land.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Which circumstance greatly aggravates their sin, that they should do thus to a people, who had been long exercised with sore afflictions, to whom pity and help was due by the laws of nature and humanity, and for whose rescue God had in so glorious a manner appeared, which they could not be ignorant of. So this was barbarousness to Israel, and setting the great Jehovah at defiance.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17-19. Remember what Amalek didThiscold-blooded and dastardly atrocity is not narrated in the previoushistory (Ex 17:14). It was anunprovoked outrage on the laws of nature and humanity, as well as adaring defiance of that God who had so signally shown His favortowards Israel (see on 1 Samuel 15;27. 8; 30).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Remember what Amalek did unto thee,…. The Amalekites, how they came out against them, and fought with them at Rephidim, Ex 17:8;
by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; which was an aggravation of their cruel and inhuman action, that they not only came out against them unprovoked, were the aggressors, and fell upon them as they were travelling on the road, but when they were just come out of Egypt, where they had been in hard bondage, and their spirits broken, and they not used to war; and so took them at all these disadvantages, a people that had not in the least injured them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
But whilst the Israelites were to make love the guiding principle of their conduct in their dealings with a neighbour, and even with strangers and foes, this love was not to degenerate into weakness or indifference towards open ungodliness. To impress this truth upon the people, Moses concludes the discourse on the law by reminding them of the crafty enmity manifested towards them by Amalek on their march out of Egypt, and with the command to root out the Amalekites (cf. Exo 17:9-16). This heathen nation had come against Israel on its journey, viz., at Rephidim in Horeb, and had attacked its rear: “ All the enfeebled behind thee, whilst thou wast faint and weary, without fearing God.” , lit., to tail, hence to attack or destroy the rear of an army or of a travelling people (cf. Jos 10:19). For this reason, when the Lord should have given Israel rest in the land of its inheritance, it was to root out the remembrance of Amalek under heaven. (On the execution of this command, see 1 Sam 15.) “ Thou shalt not forget it: ” an emphatic enforcement of the “remember” in Deu 25:17.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Verses 17-19:
Compare this text with Exo 17:8-16; Num 24:20.
Failure to observe this command brought disaster to King Saul, in the rejection of his lineage as Israel’s king; 1Sa 15:2-9; 1Sa 15:19-29. It also posed a serious threat to the Jews in the Persian kingdom, Ezr 3:1; Ezr 3:5-13.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
17. Remember what Amalek did unto thee. We have elsewhere seen how the Amalekites were the first who made a hostile attack upon the people, and endeavored to interrupt their journey; and Moses also related the sentence of God against them, the execution of which he now enjoins upon the people. God then swore that there should be perpetual war against them throughout all ages; and, that His threatening might not be frustrated, He appoints His people to take vengeance upon their great cruelty and impiety. For when the Israelites were inflicting no injury nor loss upon them, it was an act of injustice to make war upon peaceful persons proceeding, without doing any wrong, to another land. But humanity was still more grossly violated by them, inasmuch as they did not spare their own kindred, and thus cast away the feelings of nature. It is plain from Gen 36:12, that the Amalekites were the descendants of Esau; and hence it follows that they were both sprung from the same ancestor, Isaac. It is true that this command seems but little in accordance with religion, that the people should retaliate an injury done to them. I reply, that they are not stimulated to vindictive feelings in these words, but that they are commanded to punish the sins of Amalek with the same severity as those of the other nations. God appears, indeed, to influence them by private motives when He recounts the cruelty shewn by the Amalekites; but we must judge of the intention of the Legislator with reference to His nature, for we know that no angry or hateful passions can be approved by God; and hence it is easy to conclude that the command was such as the people might obey with well-regulated zeal. The first origin of the crime is specified, viz., because they “feared not God,” for this must not be taken in its ordinary meaning, but as expressing that they rebelled against God as it were deliberately. For the promise given to Abraham and Isaac could not be unknown to them; but, since Esau, the founder of their race, had fallen from the right of primogeniture, it came to pass that they attempted to bring God’s covenant to nought out of wicked and sacrilegious jealousy; and this is the reason why He unites them with the reprobate nations unto the same destruction. The word זנב, zineb, which means to crop the tail, is equivalent to making an attack on the rear, where the baggage and invalids are wont to be placed. (304)
(304) Addition in Fr. , “ Dont il s’ensuit, que les Amalechites ont assailli le peuple comme en trahison;” whence it follows that the Amalekites assailed the people treacherously.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
LESSON TWENTY Deu. 25:17 to Deu. 26:19
n. LAWS OF NATIONAL IMPORT (Deu. 25:17 to Deu. 26:19)
(1) THE PUNISHMENT OF AMALEK (Deu. 25:17-19)
17 Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way as ye came forth out of Egypt; 18 how he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God. 19 Therefore it shall be, when Jehovah thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which Jehovah 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.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 25:1719
449.
Read Exo. 17:8-16 and Num. 14:42-45 for further information on the treatment of Amalek.
450.
When was the sentence of Amalek executed?
451.
How sad to consider what could have been. What was the one most minus quality in Israels character?
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 25:1719
17 Remember what Amalek did to you on the way, when you had come forth from Egypt;
18 How he did not fear God, but when you were faint and weary he attacked you along the way and cut off all the stragglers in your rear. [Exo. 17:14.]
19 Therefore when the Lord your God has given you rest from all your enemies round about, in the land which the Lord your God gives you to possess for an inheritance, you shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens; you must not forget it.
COMMENT 25:1719
REMEMBER WHAT AMALEK DID (Deu. 25:17)See Exo. 17:8-16. Without any provocation whatever, they attacked Israels rear as they were journeying through the wilderness, but were defeated by Joshua at Rephidim. They seemed to have attacked merely through hopes of plunder. Note also the encounter at Hormah (Num. 14:42-45) which ended in Israels defeat.
Their manner of attack as described here, not only qualified them for immediate defeat; they must be exterminated as a tribe. And the prophecy of Balaam was,
Amalek was the first of the nations;
But his latter end shall come to destruction (Num. 24:20).
His end, however, was not soon coming. The Amalekites were again and. again thorns in Israels flesh. Saul smote many of them (1Sa. 14:48; 1Sa. 15:7) as did David (1Sa. 27:8, 2Sa. 8:11-12). Finally, after the time of Hezekiah (1Ch. 4:43) they are not a tribe of consequence.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Deu. 25:17-19. AMALEK TO BE EXTERMINATED.
At the end of all the precepts of humanity, the extermination of that people which is presented to us as the incarnation of inhumanity is decreed.
(18) He . . . smote the hindmost . . .These details are not given in Exodus 17. Amaleks attack follows the appearance of the stream of water from Horeb. There was nothing more natural than that the faint and weary should stay behind at the water side. There the Amalekites appear to have found them and cruelly massacred them.
(19) Thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek.This decree was entrusted to Joshua in the first instance, as the servant of the Book (Exo. 17:14); here it is enjoined upon the nation of Israel. It was carried out in several stages: by Barak and Gideon (Jdg. 5:14; Jdg. 6:3; Jdg. 7:12, &c.), by Saul and Samuel (1 Samuel 15), by David (1Sa. 27:8-9; 1Sa. 30:17), by the Simeonites (1Ch. 4:42-43), and lastly by Esther, who exterminated the Agagites in Hamans house. No doubt any remnant of Amalek in the Persian empire under Mordecai would have shared Hamans fate.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
17-19. Remember what Amalek did Moses concludes this part of his discourse by reminding the people of the crafty enmity of the Amalekites. Comp. Exo 17:8-16.
Thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek This was partially done under Saul, (1 Samuel 15,) and more fully in Hezekiah’s reign. See 1Ch 4:42-43.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Amalek To Be Punished For Their Guilt ( Deu 25:17-19 ).
This sudden introduction of this curse on Amalek may seem to take us by surprise, but it in fact a closing echo of Deu 23:1-9, while at the same time finalising the whole section from Deuteronomy 12 onwards (see below). In Deu 23:1-9 we saw described those who were excluded from the assembly of Yahweh. Here was a people who were to be more than excluded, they were to be blotted out completely. Thus here it stands alone as a conclusion to the whole.
Nevertheless it contrasts with the ensuring of the perpetuation of Israel (Deu 25:5-10; Deu 25:15), and the perpetuation of the names of the children of Israel (Deu 25:6). And it brings to a close this final section of regulations with a stern reminder that God is not mocked, and that He watches over His covenant people, and that all who come against them and deal treacherously with them will perish. It will then be followed by Israel’s submission to the people to the Overlord Who has so delivered them (Deu 26:1-15).
Analysis in the words of Moses.
a Remember what Amalek did to you by the way as you came forth out of Egypt (Deu 25:17).
b How he met you by the way, and smote the hindmost of you, all who were feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God (Deu 25:18).
b Therefore it shall be, when Yahweh your God has given you rest from all your enemies round about, in the land which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance to possess it (Deu 25:19 a).
a That you shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget (Deu 25:19 b).
Note that in ‘a’ they are to remember what Amalek did and in the parallel they are not to forget but must blot out the remembrance of Amalek. In ‘b’ they are reminded how Amalek made them ill at ease and restless, therefore in the parallel, when they are at rest in the land which Yahweh is giving them they must proceed against them.
Deu 25:17-18
‘ Remember what Amalek did to you by the way as you came forth out of Egypt, how he met you by the way, and smote the hindmost of you, all who were feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God.’
We must recognise in what is said here that God knows men’s hearts. He was aware of the total degradation of the Canaanites, and the untrustworthiness of Moab and Ammon, but He was even more aware that Amalek could not be redeemed. They were totally treacherous. They did indeed later combine with Edom and Moab in continual merciless raids on Israel (Jdg 3:12-13). And like the Canaanites they must be totally destroyed
They had only to think back to see why this should be so. For even as they were coming forth from Egypt the Amalekites were lying in wait and treacherously attacked the rear of the exhausted party, where the weak and most vulnerable were. They had no fear of God (Exo 17:16). To them the weak and vulnerable, clearly escaping from Egypt, were not seen as an opportunity to show kindness or to give hospitality, but as an easy target to be taken advantage of. They had revealed themselves as totally devoid of that fear of God which alone could make a man redeemable (Exo 17:8-15). Indeed it was then that, at Yahweh’s command, Moses had written down the whole incident as a permanent record against them, and as a testimonial to the fact that God would ‘put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven’ (Exo 17:14).
Deu 25:19
‘ Therefore it shall be, when Yahweh your God has given you rest from all your enemies round about, in the land which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance to possess it, that you shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget.’
And it was now confirmed that that was what He would do. Once Israel had been given rest from all their enemies (it could wait until they were safely established in the land) then He would blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven, as He had previously declared in Exo 17:14. They were under the Ban. For the partial fulfilment see 1Sa 15:1-33, and for its completion 1Ch 4:43. Amalek was the ultimate picture of those who do not fear God and who refuse utterly to obey Him.
“When Yahweh your God has given you rest from all your enemies round about.” This is a marker which connects these verses with Deuteronomy 12, which began this section of the book. There it had led in to the establishment of the place which Yahweh would choose and to their abundant worship of Him (Deu 12:10-12), here it was to lead in to the blotting out of Amalek. The section began in glory, it ends in judgment. Light must triumph. Darkness must be obliterated. And in between His people must do His will.
We can therefore see in this description a picture of the destruction of Satan and his forces. Like the Serpent, the Amalekites had sought to destroy God’s project right at the beginning. But Yahweh will bring His people into the land and bring them into rest, then He will establish His name there and dwell among them, while their darkest enemies both within (the Canaanites) and without (the Amalekites) will be removed for ever. So one day will it be with Satan.
There is also the stark warning that it is possible for people to come to such a state that turning to God becomes impossible because their hearts are too hardened. If we do not seek Him wile we are young, we might find that age has hardened us so that we never seek Him.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
This short account of Amalek, and the punishment of that people, comes in very properly upon the close of the foregoing precepts; for it was both a just weight and just measure, that Israel should requite Amalek, for his conduct towards them on their first coming out of Egypt. Exo 17:14-16 . It is worthy remark, how Saul offended the LORD, at least four hundred years after this appointment, in not fully following up the precept: see 1Sa 15:2-9 . But, I would have the Reader look a little further, than to the mere history of Amalek, and view in it somewhat typical of GOD’S people, in their conflicts with the enemies of their salvation, in all ages. Amalek, represents all those foes of our souls, which oppose us as Amalek did Israel, the moment GOD is bringing us out of spiritual Egypt. Hence Reader! behold the propriety of utterly destroying them from under heaven. LORD! I would say, enable me to slay all my lusts, all the corruptions both within and without; all the powers of darkness, and of the world, which oppose my way to thee, thou blessed JESUS!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Deu 25:17-19
17Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, 18how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God. 19Therefore it shall come about when the LORD your God has given you rest from all your surrounding enemies, in the land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you must not forget.
Deu 25:17-19 Deuteronomy has several passages related to how Israel should conduct holy war (cf. Deu 7:1-26; Deu 20:1-10; Deu 21:10-14; Deu 25:17-19). Holy War was YHWH’s war. It had special rules and procedures!
Deu 25:17 Amalek This group may be descendants from Esau (cf. Gen 36:15-16), became a symbol of evil to Israel because of their raiding techniques (cf. Deu 25:18-19; Deu 17:8-16). They were a nomadic group who lived south of the Dead Sea. Both Saul and David fought against them (cf. 1Sa 15:2; 1Sa 27:8).
Deu 25:18 rear This term (BDB 275) means tail. When used as a VERB (BDB 275, KB 274, Piel IMPERFECT) it means to attack (1) at the rear or (2) the rear guard. It is found only here and in Jos 10:19.
Deu 25:19 you shall blot out the memory In Deu 25:5-10 the loss of a brother with no descendants is discussed. Here the loss of descendants is commanded! They did not fear God (Deu 25:18); they attacked Israel’s most vulnerable; they must die (cf. Exo 17:14; 1Sa 15:2-4; 1Sa 30:16-20; 1Ch 4:43)!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Why is Deu 25:1 so important to theology?
2. What was the purpose of Levirate marriage?
3. Why are Deu 25:11-12 included in the Pentateuch?
4. Who was Amalek and why are they cursed?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Remember. Compare Exo 17:8-16. An event ordered to be written down,
Amalek. Name of a man, put for his posterity, by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Exo 17:8-16, Num 24:20, Num 25:17, Num 25:18
Reciprocal: Gen 36:12 – Amalek Exo 17:14 – for I will Num 10:25 – the rereward 1Sa 15:2 – Amalek 1Sa 27:9 – and the camels 2Sa 1:8 – an Amalekite 1Ch 4:43 – the rest Mat 5:43 – and hate
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Deu 25:17-18. Out of Egypt Which circumstance greatly aggravated their sin, that they should do thus to a people who had been long exercised with sore afflictions, to whom pity was due by the laws of nature and humanity, and for whose rescue God had in so glorious a manner appeared, which they could not be ignorant of. And he feared not God Though they feared Israel, whom they durst not look in the face, but cut them off behind, yet they feared not God, but acted a base and inhuman part, in contempt of the divine authority, and of all the miraculous interpositions of the divine providence in behalf of that chosen nation. So that while their conduct was barbarous to Israel, they set the great Jehovah at defiance.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Desire for peace at any price 25:17-19
When the Israelites had entered the Promised Land and had attained a measure of rest there, they were to remember that God had commanded them to exterminate the Amalekites. They were to do this because of the Amalekites’ treatment of Israel in the wilderness (Deu 25:17-19; cf. Exo 17:8-16; Num 24:20; 1Ch 4:42-43).
"Particular importance is attached to the fate of the Amalekites in the Pentateuch, especially as a sign of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling his promises." [Note: Sailhamer, p. 469.]
"Taken together, the laws of love and hate amount to the single requirement to love God, and consequently to love whom he loves and hate whom he hates." [Note: Kline, "Deuteronomy," p. 189.]