Then came Amalek. See on Genesis 21:25 and Judges 5:11 . Amalek came to fight for the water. Compare Deuteronomy 25:17 , Deuteronomy 25:18 . Amalek came behind and attacked the rear, and he "feared not God", Deuteronomy 25:8 . Amalek , Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , put for Amalekites. At Rephidim, they got water plus Amalek; at Meribah, water plus Edom. read more
Joshua . First occurance. (250 times in all). Hebrew. Jehoshua. Now fifty-three years of age. Hence a bondman in Egypt. Twenty-seven years younger than Moses. See App-50 . men . Hebrew, plural of 'ish or 'enesh. App-14 . fight . There was a large population in the peninsula at this time. A wilderness, a place of pasture, not a desert. God . Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . read more
WAR WITH AMALEK"Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek; tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.""Amalek ..." Who were the Amalekites? Amalek was the son of Eliphaz and the grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:12,16). In this place, Amalek is used as a... read more
Exodus 17:8. Then came Amalek— We learn from Deu 25:18 that the Amalekites fell upon the hindmost part of the Israelitish army, and smote all that were feeble behind, at a time when they were all faint and weary at Rephidim. After this attack upon the rear, they came to a pitched battle in the plain below Mount Horeb, Exodus 17:10. The Amalekites inhabited some part of Arabia Petraea, near Rephidim, between that place and Canaan. They were descendants of Esau; and are therefore supposed to have... read more
Exodus 17:9. Moses said unto Joshua— This is the first time mention is made of Joshua, or Jesus, who makes so distinguished a figure in the subsequent part of the sacred history. He is often styled the servant of Moses. Formed under the conduct of that great master, he is appointed general under his direction, and ordered to select proper men to fight with Amalek; while Moses proposes to stand on the hill, with the miraculous rod in his hand, in sight of the warriors, to inspire them with faith... read more
8. Then came Amalek—Some time probably elapsed before they were exposed to this new evil; and the presumption of there being such an interval affords the only ground on which we can satisfactorily account for the altered, the better, and former spirit that animated the people in this sudden contest. The miracles of the manna and the water from the rock had produced a deep impression and permanent conviction that God was indeed among them; and with feelings elevated by the conscious experience... read more
9. Moses said unto Joshua—or, "Jesus" (Acts 7:45; Hebrews 4:8). This is the earliest notice of a young warrior destined to act a prominent part in the history of Israel. He went with a number of picked men. There is not here a wide open plain on which the battle took place, as according to the rules of modern warfare. The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe, making an irregular attack on a multitude probably not better trained than themselves, and for such a conflict the low hills and open country... read more
Moses used "Amalek" to represent the Amalekites, as he often used "Israel" for the Israelites (Exodus 17:8). The Amalekites were a tribe of Semites. They had descended from one of Esau’s grandsons (Genesis 36:12) and had settled in the part of Sinai the Israelites now occupied. They also inhabited an area in southern Canaan (cf. Genesis 14:7). They evidently opposed Israel in battle because they felt Israel was a threat to their security.This is the first biblical reference to Joshua (Exodus... read more
4. The hostility of the Amalekites 17:8-16Whereas the Israelites had feared the possibility of having to battle the Egyptians (Exodus 14:10), they now did engage in battle with the Amalekites."The primary function of this section in its present location is the demonstration of yet another proof and benefit of Yahweh’s Presence with Israel. The occasion for the demonstration this time is an attack from the outside instead of an internal complaint. The result, however, is once again an undeniable... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 17:1-16
Events at Rephidim (17:1-16)When the people arrived at Rephidim and found no water, they again complained against God and against Moses. Once more Moses prayed for them and once more God miraculously provided. The names by which the place became known, Massah and Meribah, reminded the people of how they ‘tested’ God (Massah) and ‘argued with’ Moses (Meribah) (17:1-7).The Amalekites, a race of wild desert nomads descended from Esau (see Genesis 36:12,Genesis 36:16), saw the migration of the... read more