Exodus 17:14-16 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 17:8-16

We have here the story of the war with Amalek, which, we may suppose, was the first that was recorded in the book of the wars of the Lord, Num. 21:14. Amalek was the first of the nations that Israel fought with, Num. 24:20. Observe, I. Amalek's attempt: They came out, and fought with Israel, Exod. 17:8. The Amalekites were the posterity of Esau, who hated Jacob because of the birthright and blessing, and this was an effort of the hereditary enmity, a malice that ran in the blood, and perhaps... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 17:14

And the Lord said unto Moses ,.... After the battle was over, and the Israelites had got the victory: write this for a memorial in a book : not in loose papers, but in a book, that it might continue; meaning that the account of this battle with Amelek should be put down in the annals or journal of Moses, in the book of the law he was writing, or was about to write, and would write, as he did, see Joshua 1:7 that so it might be kept in memory, and transmitted to the latest posterity; it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 17:15

And Moses built an altar ,.... On Horeb, as Aben Ezra; on the top of the hill, as Ben Gersom, where sacrifices of thanksgiving were offered up for the victory obtained, or however a monument erected in memory of it: and he called the name of it Jehovahnissi ; which signifies either "the Lord is my miracle" who wrought a miracle for them in giving them the victory over Amalek, as well as, through smiting the rock with the rod, brought out water from thence for the refreshment of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 17:16

For he said, because the Lord hath sworn ,.... So some Jewish writers F2 R. Sol. Urbin. fol. 95. 1. take it for an oath, as we do; or "because the hand is on the throne of the Lord" F3 כי יד על כס־יה "quia manus super thronum Domini", Pagninus, Montanus; "sublata manu super solium Dei (juro)", Tigurine version. ; which the Targum of Jonathan, Jarchi, and Aben Ezra, interpret of the hand of the Lord being lifted up, of his swearing by the throne of his glory; but, as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 17:14

Write this for a memorial in a book - This is the first mention of writing on record: what it signified, or how it was done, we cannot tell. But it is evident that either this passage is introduced here instead of Deuteronomy 25:17 , by way of anticipation, or that by the words שפר כתב kethob and sepher was intended only a monumental declaration of the defeat of Amalek by Joshua, by some action or symbolical representation; for it is immediately subjoined, "And Moses built an altar,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 17:15

Jehovah-nissi - Jehovah is my ensign or banner. The hands and rod of Moses were held up as soldiers are wont to hold up their standards in the time of battle; and as these standards bear the arms of the country, the soldiers are said to fight under that banner, i.e., under the direction and in the defense of that government. Thus the Israelites fought under the direction of God, and in the defense of his truth; and therefore the name of Jehovah became the armorial bearing of the whole... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 17:16

The Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek, etc. - This is no translation of the words מלחמה יה כס על יד כי ki yad al kes yah milckamah , which have been variously rendered by different translators and critics; the most rational version of which is the following: Because the hand of Amalek is against the throne of God, therefore will I have war with Amalek from generation to generation. This gives a tolerably consistent sense, yet still there is considerable obscurity in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 17:14

Verse 14 14.And the Lord said unto Moses. By this command God made it known that He had performed a work which not only ought to be celebrated by word (192) of mouth, but which also was deserving of eternal glory with posterity; for therefore did He command it to be written in a book, that its memory might never perish. The dispute of commentators respecting this book seems to me to be superfluous; for God simply wills that the memorial of this circumstance should exist in all ages; and this... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 17:15

Verse 15 15.And Moses built an altar. The purpose of this was that not he alone, but the whole people should testify, by solemn sacrifice, their gratitude; which the very name of the altar proves. For neither did he wish to erect a statue to God, nor to honor the altar by God’s name, but he shows that this was the object he proposed to himself, that the Israelites, being inflated by their good success, should not boast of their own strength, but glory only in God. I see not why some should... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 17:16

Verse 16 16.For he said, Because the Lord. (194) He confirms by repetition the same declaration which he had lately pronounced from the mouth of God, viz., that God would be ever at war with the Amalekites, until He should have utterly destroyed them. Translators do not agree as to the meaning of the expression, “The hand is upon the throne of the Lord.” Some imagine it to be a form of oath, as though God swore by His throne. Others understand by His throne the Church, which is the rest of God,... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 17:8-16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 17:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 17:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 17:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 17:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 17:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 17:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 17:14

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 17:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 17:16

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