The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe mentioned frequently in the Old Testament, known for their longstanding enmity with the Israelites. They are traditionally considered descendants of Esau's grandson, Amalek, as noted in Genesis 36:12: "Additionally, Timna, a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, bore Amalek." The Amalekites inhabited the southern regions of Canaan, a territory that extended into parts of the Sinai Peninsula and the Negev desert.

The Amalekites are first encountered in the biblical narrative during the Exodus, when they attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. This unprovoked assault is recorded 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, "I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven" (Exodus 17:14).

Their territory, often referred to as the "country of the Amalekites," was strategically located along the southern borders of Canaan. This area was significant for its control over trade routes and its proximity to the Sinai wilderness, where the Israelites wandered for forty years. The Amalekites' land was characterized by its arid climate and rugged terrain, which suited their nomadic lifestyle.

The Amalekites continued to be a thorn in Israel's side throughout the period of the Judges. In Judges 6:3, they are mentioned as allies of the Midianites, raiding Israelite lands and causing devastation. Their persistent hostility is further highlighted in 1 Samuel 15, where God commands King Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites as divine retribution for their past transgressions. Saul's failure to fully execute this command led to his rejection as king.

The Amalekites' presence in the south of Canaan also played a role in the narrative of David. In 1 Samuel 30, the Amalekites raided Ziklag, capturing the families of David and his men. David pursued them and successfully recovered all that had been taken, further diminishing the Amalekite threat.

Despite their eventual decline, the Amalekites are remembered in biblical history as a symbol of opposition to God's people. Their territory in the south of Canaan served as a constant reminder of the challenges faced by the Israelites in their quest to settle the Promised Land.Numbers 13:29
The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 27:8
And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as you go to Shur, even to the land of Egypt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Canaan
... part of the later population of the country traced its ... Then the Amalekites were pursued
into their desert domain and ... to the north had left the south of Canaan ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... Palestine doubtless included it in the country of "the ... But whereas the Amalekites
were the wild, untamable natives ... Gilead and the myrrh of the south on their ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Afraid of Giants
... The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south; and ... on two points: the eligibility
of the country for settlement ... the spies went up into 'the South.' The Revised ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/afraid of giants.htm

The Israelites
... of the Old Testament are the Amalekites, and between ... the Kishon, when a new enemy
appeared in the south. ... contended with them for the possession of the country. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... took up the matter afresh: he perceived that we have here an allusion to the first
town encountered by Seti I. in the country of Canaan to the south-west of ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

Chapter xiv
... out punishment to the south, in fact, due south of the ... an anachronism as to say that
the Amalekites were smitten ... This name would mean "the sandy country of palms ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... The two empires were separated from south to north by the sea and ... as El-Paran; then
retracing his footsteps, he entered the country of the Amalekites by way ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Vanguard and Rereward of the Church
... They came into the country of the mighty ones, the sons ... us that, when hey went to
the South Seas to ... The Amalekites may fall upon the stuff, or the Philistines ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the vanguard and rereward of.htm

Fire! Fire! Fire!
... constantly beset by the marauders of the Amalekites, you find ... fact that the Church
is in an enemy's country. ... the north, "Give up;" and to the south, "Keep not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/fire fire fire.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The Israelites in the land of Canaan: the judges ... others, and penetrated gradually
as far south as the ... establishing petty kings among the hill-country of Shechem ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Who was Hur in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Kadesh Barnea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Haman the Agagite? | GotQuestions.org

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