Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Amalek is a significant figure and nation in the biblical narrative, known for its enmity with the Israelites. The Amalekites are often depicted as a symbol of opposition to God's people and purposes. The origins, actions, and eventual fate of Amalek are detailed in various books of the Bible, providing insight into their role in biblical history.
Origins and Genealogy:Amalek is first mentioned in the Bible as a descendant of Esau, the brother of Jacob. In
Genesis 36:12, Amalek is identified as the son of Eliphaz, Esau's son, and Timna, his concubine: "Timna was a concubine of Eliphaz, Esau’s son, and she bore Amalek to Eliphaz." This lineage places the Amalekites among the Edomites, who were descendants of Esau.
The Amalekites in the Wilderness:The Amalekites are first encountered by the Israelites shortly after the Exodus from Egypt. In
Exodus 17:8-16, the Amalekites attack the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses, with the help of Aaron and Hur, holds up his hands to ensure Israel's victory, symbolizing divine support. The Lord declares, "I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven" (
Exodus 17:14), establishing a perpetual enmity between the two nations.
The Command to Destroy Amalek:In
Deuteronomy 25:17-19, God commands the Israelites to remember the treachery of Amalek and to "blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." This command is reiterated during the reign of King Saul. In
1 Samuel 15, Saul is instructed by the prophet Samuel to completely destroy the Amalekites. However, Saul disobeys by sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock, leading to his rejection as king by God.
The Amalekites in the Time of David:The Amalekites continue to be a thorn in Israel's side during the reign of King David. In
1 Samuel 30, they raid the town of Ziklag, capturing the families of David and his men. David pursues and defeats the Amalekites, recovering all that was taken. This victory further diminishes the power of the Amalekites.
The Final Defeat of Amalek:The ultimate defeat of the Amalekites is recorded in the book of Esther. Haman, a descendant of Agag, the Amalekite king spared by Saul, plots to destroy the Jews. However, through the intervention of Queen Esther and Mordecai, Haman's plan is thwarted, and he is executed. This event is seen as the final fulfillment of God's judgment against Amalek.
Symbolism and Legacy:Throughout the Bible, Amalek represents the archetypal enemy of God's people. The Amalekites' persistent opposition to Israel serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles faced by believers. The command to remember and blot out Amalek underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands and the ultimate triumph of divine justice.
Conclusion:The narrative of Amalek and the Amalekites is woven throughout the biblical text, illustrating themes of enmity, divine judgment, and the faithfulness of God to His promises. The account of Amalek serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of opposing God's will and the assurance of His ultimate victory over evil.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Amaleka people that licks up
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Amalek(dweller in a valley), a son of Eliphaz by his concubine Timnah grandson of Esau, and chieftain ("duke," Authorized Version) of Edom. (Genesis 36:12,16;1 Chronicles 1:36) (B.C. about 1700.)
ATS Bible Dictionary
AmalekSon of Eliphaz, and grandson of Esau,Genesis 36:12. It is not certain that any distinct mention is made in the Bible of his posterity, people called Amalekites being in existence long before,Genesis 14:7;Numbers 24:20.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Dweller in a valley, the son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau (
Genesis 36:12;
1 Chronicles 1:36); the chief of an Idumean tribe (
Genesis 36:16). His mother was a Horite, a tribe whose territory the descendants of Esau had seized.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AMALEKam'-a-lek (`amaleq): The son, by his concubine Timna, of Eliphaz, the eldest son of Esau. He was one of the chiefs (the King James Version dukes) of Edom (Genesis 36:12, 16). SeeAMALEKITE.
AMALEK; AMALEKITE
am'-a-lek, a-mal'-e-kit, am'-a-lek-it (`amaleq, `amaleqi): A tribe dwelling originally in the region south of Judah, the wilderness of et-Tih where the Israelites came into conflict with them. They were nomads as a people dwelling in that tract would naturally be. When they joined the Midianites to invade Israel they came "with their cattle and their tents" (Judges 6:3-5). They are not to be identified with the descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:12, 16) because they are mentioned earlier, in the account of the invasion of Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:7) and in Balaam's prophecy (Numbers 24:20) Amalek is called "the first of the nations," which seems to refer to an early existence. We are uncertain of their origin, for they do not appear in the list of nations found inGenesis 10. They do not seem to have had any relationship with the tribes of Israel, save as, we may surmise, some of the descendants of Esau were incorporated into the tribe. It is probable that they were of Semitic stock though we have no proof of it.
The first contact with Israel was at Rephidim, in the wilderness of Sinai, where they made an unprovoked attack and were defeated after a desperate conflict (Exodus 17:8-13Deuteronomy 25:17, 18). On account of this they were placed under the ban and Israel was commanded to exterminate them (Deuteronomy 25:191 Samuel 15:2, 3). The next encounter of the two peoples was when the Israelites attempted to enter Canaan from the west of the Dead Sea. The spies had reported that the Amalekites were to be found in the south, in connection with the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites (Numbers 13:29). The Israelites at first refused to advance, but later determined to do so contrary to the will of God and the command of Moses. They were met by Amalek and the Canaanites and completely defeated (Numbers 14:39-45). Amalek is next found among the allies of Moab in their attack upon Israel in the days of Eglon (Judges 3:13). They were also associated with the Midianites in their raids upon Israel (Judges 6:3), and they seemed to have gained a foothold in Ephraim, or at least a branch of them, in the hill country (Judges 5:14;Judges 12:15), but it is evident that the great body of them still remained in their old habitat, for when Saul made war upon them he drove them toward Shur in the wilderness toward Egypt (1 Samuel 15:1-9). David also found them in the same region (1 Samuel 27:8;1 Samuel 30:1). After this they seem to have declined, and we find, in the days of Hezekiah, only a remnant of them who were smitten by the Simeonites at Mount Seir (1 Chronicles 4:41-43). They are once mentioned in Psalms in connection with other inveterate enemies of Israel (Psalm 83:7). The hatred Inspired by the Amalekites is reflected in the passages already mentioned which required their utter destruction. Their attack upon them when they were just escaped from Egypt and while they were struggling through the wilderness made a deep impression upon the Israelites which they never forgot, and the wrath of David upon the messenger who brought him news of the death of Saul and Jonathan, declaring himself to be the slayer of Saul, was no doubt accentuated by his being an Amalekite (2 Samuel 1:1-16).
H. Porter
Strong's Hebrew
6003. Amaleqi -- descendant ofAmalek... 6002, 6003. Amaleqi. 6004 . descendant of
Amalek. Transliteration: Amaleqi
Phonetic Spelling: (am-aw-lay-kee') Short Definition: Amalekites.
...90. Agag -- king ofAmalek
... 89, 90. Agag. 91 . king ofAmalek. Transliteration: Agag Phonetic Spelling:
(ag-ag') Short Definition: Agag. Word Origin from the...
6002. Amaleq -- a descendant of Esau, also his posterity
... 6001b, 6002. Amaleq. 6003 . a descendant of Esau, also his posterity.
Transliteration: Amaleq Phonetic Spelling: (am-aw-lake') Short Definition:Amalek.......
Library
Moses andAmalek
... FAST-DAY HYMNS. Hymn 66 MOSES andAMALEK. John Newton 8,6,8,6. MOSES andAMALEK.
February 27, 1778. Ex 17:9. While Joshua led the armed bands....
Types of the Death of Christ Isaac; Joseph; Jacob against Simeon...
... Types of the Death of Christ Isaac; Joseph; Jacob Against Simeon and Levi;
Moses Praying AgainstAmalek; The Brazen Serpent. [3343]...
That in the Passion and the Sign of the Cross is all virtue and...
... shoulders shall be government; and His name shall be called the Messenger of a mighty
thought." [4077] By this sign of the cross alsoAmalek was conquered by...
That we must Press on and Persevere in Faith and virtue, and in...
... lest another take thy crown;" [3755] which example of perseverance and persistence
is pointed out in Exodus, when Moses, for the overthrow ofAmalek, who bore...
The History of David
... After the death of Saul David returned from the journey that he had against
Amalek. For whilst David had been out with Achish the...
To those who Object that Elijah Has not yet Come, He Replies that...
... For the Lord said He would wage war againstAmalek with concealed hand;
and you will not deny thatAmalek fell. But if it is said...
Sowing and Reaping
... TakeAmalek: "Remember whatAmalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth
out of Egypt; how he met thee, by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee...
Jehovah Nissi
... We are all familiar with that picturesque incident of the conflict between Israel
andAmalek, which ended in victory and the erection of this memorial trophy....
How Much More Faithful to God the Gentiles are who are Converted...
... as well as in the type of the extending of the hands of Moses, and of Oshea being
named Jesus (Joshua); when you fought againstAmalek: concerning which God...
Chapter xxxvi
... And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam and Kenaz. And Timnah
was a concubine of Eliphaz, Esau's son, and she bore to Eliphaz,Amalek....
Thesaurus
Amalek (35 Occurrences)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
AMALEK. am'-a-lek (`amaleq): The son, by his concubine
Timna, of Eliphaz, the eldest son of Esau.
... See AMALEKITE.
AMALEK; AMALEKITE.
...Am'alek (21 Occurrences)
Am'alek.Amalek, Am'alek. Amalekite .... Am'alek (21 Occurrences). Genesis 36:12
Timna was concubine to Eliphaz, Esau's son; and she bore to EliphazAmalek....
Amalekites (36 Occurrences)
... Exodus 17:9 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...
Amalekite (12 Occurrences)
... They were not the descendants ofAmalek, the son of Eliphaz, for they existed in
the days of Abraham (Genesis 14:7). They were probably a tribe that migrated...
Eliphaz (14 Occurrences)
... el'-i-faz, e-li'-faz ('eliphaz, "God is fine gold" (?)) 1) Son of Esau by Adah,
and father of Teman, Kenaz andAmalek (Genesis 36:4, 10 1 Chronicles 1:35 f...
Timna (6 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia TIMNA. tim'-na (timna`; Thamna): A conbubine of
Eliphaz, Esau's son, and the mother ofAmalek (Genesis 36:12)....
Eglon (13 Occurrences)
... Having entered into an alliance with Ammon andAmalek, he overran the trans-Jordanic
region, and then crossing the Jordan, seized on Jericho, the "city of palm...
Devoted (72 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 15:3 Now, go, and thou hast smittenAmalek, and devoted all that it hath,
and thou hast no pity on it, and hast put to death from man unto woman, from...
Judges (117 Occurrences)
... 40 " II. Servitude under Eglon of Moab: " Ammon,Amalek 18 " 2. EHUD'S
deliverance, rest 80 " 3. SHAMGAR Unknown. " III. Servitude...
Goyim (7 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Numbers 24:20 And he seethAmalek, and taketh up his simile, and saith:
'A beginning of the Goyim 'is'Amalek; And his latter end -- for ever he perisheth...
Resources
Who were the Amalekites? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Joshua in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Adah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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