The Amal'ekites were a nomadic tribe frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as adversaries of the Israelites. They are traditionally considered descendants of Amalek, the grandson of Esau, 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 Amal'ekites within the Edomite family, though they are often depicted as distinct and hostile towards Israel.

Geographical Location and Lifestyle

The Amal'ekites inhabited the region of the Negev and the Sinai Peninsula, areas characterized by their arid and rugged terrain. As a nomadic people, they were known for their mobility and ability to conduct swift raids. Their lifestyle was largely pastoral, relying on herding and raiding for sustenance.

Biblical Encounters with Israel

The Amal'ekites are first mentioned in the context of Israel's exodus from Egypt. In Exodus 17:8-16, they attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. This unprovoked assault led to a significant battle where Moses, with the help of Aaron and Hur, held up his hands to ensure Israel's victory. The Lord declared perpetual enmity against Amalek, stating, "I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven" (Exodus 17:14).

The Amal'ekites continued to be a thorn in Israel's side throughout their history. In Numbers 14:45, they defeated the Israelites at Hormah when the latter attempted to enter the Promised Land against God's command. The Amal'ekites also joined forces with the Canaanites and Midianites in various conflicts against Israel.

Divine Judgment and Saul's Campaign

The Amal'ekites' persistent hostility led to divine judgment. In 1 Samuel 15, God commanded King Saul to completely destroy the Amal'ekites, sparing no one and taking no plunder. Saul's failure to fully obey this command, sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock, resulted in God's rejection of Saul as king. The prophet Samuel executed Agag, fulfilling God's command (1 Samuel 15:32-33).

Later References and Legacy

Despite Saul's campaign, the Amal'ekites continued to exist as a people. They are mentioned during the reign of David, who conducted successful raids against them (1 Samuel 30). The Amal'ekites are last mentioned in the time of Hezekiah, when a remnant was defeated by the Simeonites (1 Chronicles 4:42-43).

The Amal'ekites are often symbolically associated with evil and opposition to God's people. Their repeated attacks on Israel and the divine mandate for their destruction underscore the biblical theme of God's justice against persistent wickedness. The Amal'ekites serve as a reminder of the spiritual battles faced by God's people and the ultimate triumph of divine justice.Amal'ekites (24 Occurrences)

Genesis 14:7
And they turned back, and came to En-mishpat--the same is Kadesh--and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazazon-tamar.
(See RSV)

Numbers 13:29
Amalek dwelleth in the land of the South; and the Hittite, and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanite dwelleth by the sea, and along by the side of the Jordan.'
(See RSV)

Numbers 14:25
Now the Amalekite and the Canaanite dwell in the Vale; tomorrow turn ye, and get you into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.'
(See RSV)

Numbers 14:43
For there the Amalekite and the Canaanite are before you, and ye shall fall by the sword; forasmuch as ye are turned back from following the LORD, and the LORD will not be with you.'
(See RSV)

Numbers 14:45
Then the Amalekite and the Canaanite, who dwelt in that hill-country, came down, and smote them and beat them down, even unto Hormah.
(See RSV)

Judges 3:13
He gathered to himself the Ammonites and the Amal'ekites, and went and defeated Israel; and they took possession of the city of palms.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 6:3
For whenever the Israelites put in seed the Mid'ianites and the Amal'ekites and the people of the East would come up and attack them;
(DBY RSV)

Judges 6:33
Then all the Mid'ianites and the Amal'ekites and the people of the East came together, and crossing the Jordan they encamped in the Valley of Jezreel.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 7:12
And the Mid'ianites and the Amal'ekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand which is upon the seashore for multitude.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 10:12
The Sido'nians also, and the Amal'ekites, and the Ma'onites, oppressed you; and you cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 12:15
Then Abdon the son of Hillel the Pira'thonite died, and was buried at Pira'thon in the land of E'phraim, in the hill country of the Amal'ekites.
(DBY RSV)

1 Samuel 14:48
And he did valiantly, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 15:6
And Saul said unto the Kenites: 'Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them; for ye showed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt.' So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 15:7
And Saul smote the Amalekites, from Havilah as thou goest to Shur, that is in front of Egypt.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 15:8
And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 15:15
And Saul said: 'They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.'
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 15:18
and the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said: Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 15:20
And Saul said unto Samuel: 'Yea, I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 15:32
Then said Samuel: 'Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites.' And Agag came unto him in chains. And Agag said: 'Surely the bitterness of death is at hand.'
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 27:8
And David and his men went up, and made a raid upon the Geshurites, and the Gizrites, and the Amalekites; for those were the inhabitants of the land, who were of old, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 30:1
And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid upon the South, and upon Ziklag, and had smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 30:18
And David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken; and David rescued his two wives.
(See RSV)

2 Samuel 1:1
And it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 4:43
And they smote the remnant of the Amalekites that escaped, and dwelt there unto this day.
(See RSV)

Amal'ekites (24 Occurrences)
Amal'ekites. Amalekites, Amal'ekites. Amam . Multi-Version Concordance
Amal'ekites (24 Occurrences). Genesis 14:7 And they turned ...
/a/amal'ekites.htm - 13k

Mid'ianites (12 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:3 For whenever the Israelites put in seed the Mid'ianites and the
Amal'ekites and the people of the East would come up and attack them; (DBY RSV). ...
/m/mid'ianites.htm - 9k

Amalekites (36 Occurrences)

/a/amalekites.htm - 18k

Ma'onites (1 Occurrence)
... Judges 10:12 The Sido'nians also, and the Amal'ekites, and the Ma'onites, oppressed
you; and you cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. (DBY RSV). ...
/m/ma'onites.htm - 6k

Pira'thonite (2 Occurrences)
... Judges 12:15 Then Abdon the son of Hillel the Pira'thonite died, and was buried
at Pira'thon in the land of E'phraim, in the hill country of the Amal'ekites. ...
/p/pira'thonite.htm - 6k

Palms (20 Occurrences)
... Judges 3:13 He gathered to himself the Ammonites and the Amal'ekites, and went and
defeated Israel; and they took possession of the city of palms. ...
/p/palms.htm - 12k

Pira'thon (4 Occurrences)
... Judges 12:15 Then Abdon the son of Hillel the Pira'thonite died, and was buried
at Pira'thon in the land of E'phraim, in the hill country of the Amal'ekites. ...
/p/pira'thon.htm - 7k

Amam (1 Occurrence)

/a/amam.htm - 6k

Sido'nians (11 Occurrences)
... (DBY RSV). Judges 10:12 The Sido'nians also, and the Amal'ekites, and the Ma'onites,
oppressed you; and you cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. ...
/s/sido'nians.htm - 9k

Oppressed (81 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:12 The Sido'nians also, and the Amal'ekites, and the Ma'onites, oppressed
you; and you cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. ...
/o/oppressed.htm - 31k

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