Amalek is a significant figure and nation in the biblical narrative, often representing opposition to the Israelites and enmity against God’s chosen people. The Amalekites are descendants of Esau, through his grandson Amalek, as recorded in Genesis 36:12: "Timna was a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, and she bore Amalek to Eliphaz." This lineage places the Amalekites among the Edomites, who were historically antagonistic toward Israel.

Historical Context and Biblical Accounts

The Amalekites first appear in the biblical narrative during the Exodus. As the Israelites journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land, the Amalekites launched an unprovoked attack at Rephidim. This battle is famously recounted in Exodus 17:8-16, where Moses, with the help of Aaron and Hur, held up his hands to ensure Israel's victory. The Lord declared perpetual war against Amalek, stating, "Because the LORD has sworn: The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation" (Exodus 17:16).

The Amalekites' hostility continued throughout Israel's history. In Deuteronomy 25:17-19, Moses reminded the Israelites of Amalek's treachery and instructed them to "blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven" once they had rest from their enemies in the Promised Land. This command underscores the severity of Amalek's sin and the divine mandate for justice.

The Reign of Saul and the Amalekites

King Saul's reign marked a pivotal moment in the conflict with the Amalekites. In 1 Samuel 15, God commanded Saul, through the prophet Samuel, to utterly destroy the Amalekites as an act of divine judgment. Saul's failure to fully obey this command, sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock, led to his rejection as king. Samuel's rebuke in 1 Samuel 15:22-23 highlights the importance of obedience to God over ritual sacrifice.

The Amalekites in Later History

The Amalekites continued to be a thorn in Israel's side. During the reign of King David, the Amalekites raided Ziklag, capturing the families of David and his men. David pursued and defeated them, as recorded in 1 Samuel 30. This victory was significant in establishing David's leadership and God's favor upon him.

In the post-exilic period, the spirit of Amalek is seen in the account of Esther, where Haman, a descendant of Agag, sought to annihilate the Jewish people. This connection to Amalek underscores the enduring enmity and the providential deliverance of God's people.

Theological Significance

Amalek represents the archetypal enemy of God's people, embodying opposition to God's purposes. The biblical narrative portrays the Amalekites as a symbol of evil and rebellion against divine authority. The command to destroy Amalek is often understood as a typological foreshadowing of the ultimate defeat of evil through Christ.

The account of Amalek serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle that believers face and the call to remain vigilant against sin and opposition to God's will. The Amalekites' persistent hostility and eventual downfall illustrate the biblical theme of divine justice and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.Am'alek (21 Occurrences)

Genesis 36:12
Timna was concubine to Eliphaz, Esau's son; and she bore to Eliphaz Amalek. These are the sons of Adah, Esau's wife.
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Genesis 36:16
chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek: these are the chiefs who came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah.
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Exodus 17:8
Then Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
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Exodus 17:9
Moses said to Joshua, "Choose men for us, and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with God's rod in my hand."
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Exodus 17:10
So Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought with Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
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Exodus 17:11
It happened, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
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Exodus 17:13
Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
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Exodus 17:14
Yahweh said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky."
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Exodus 17:16
He said, "Yah has sworn:'Yahweh will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.'"
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Numbers 24:20
He looked at Amalek, and took up his parable, and said, "Amalek was the first of the nations, But his latter end shall come to destruction."
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Deuteronomy 25:17
Remember what Amalek did to you by the way as you came forth out of Egypt;
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Deuteronomy 25:19
Therefore it shall be, when Yahweh your God has given you rest from all your enemies all around, in the land which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance to possess it, that you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky; you shall not forget.
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1 Samuel 15:2
Thus says Yahweh of Armies,'I have marked that which Amalek did to Israel, how he set himself against him in the way, when he came up out of Egypt.
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1 Samuel 15:3
Now go and strike Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and don't spare them; but kill both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'"
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1 Samuel 15:5
Saul came to the city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.
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1 Samuel 15:20
Saul said to Samuel, "But I have obeyed the voice of Yahweh, and have gone the way which Yahweh sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
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1 Samuel 28:18
Because you didn't obey the voice of Yahweh, and didn't execute his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore Yahweh has done this thing to you this day.
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2 Samuel 8:12
of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
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1 Chronicles 1:36
The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek.
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1 Chronicles 18:11
These also did king David dedicate to Yahweh, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.
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Psalms 83:7
Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
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Am'alek (21 Occurrences)
Am'alek. Amalek, Am'alek. Amalekite . Multi-Version Concordance Am'alek
(21 Occurrences). Genesis 36:12 Timna was concubine to Eliphaz ...
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Amalekite (12 Occurrences)

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Amalek (35 Occurrences)

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