Exodus 17:14 - Yahweh said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky.”
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What does "Exodus 17:14" mean?
This verse from Exodus 17:14 is a powerful declaration of divine judgment against the Amalekites and a command to remember this judgment. Let's break it down:
"Yahweh said to Moses..." This establishes the verse as a direct command from God to Moses, giving it authority.
"...Write this for a memorial in a book..." God instructs Moses to record this event for posterity. The purpose is to preserve the memory of Amalek's actions and God's decree against them. The "book" is likely an early form of writing, perhaps on scrolls or tablets.
"...and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua..." Moses is also instructed to personally communicate this information to Joshua, who will become the leader of the Israelites after Moses. This ensures that Joshua is aware of the historical significance of Amalek's actions and the divine mandate to deal with them. "Rehearse it in the ears" emphasizes an oral communication, ensuring Joshua understands the importance of the event and the order.
"...that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky." This is the core of the verse. It's a declaration of God's intention to completely destroy the Amalekites.
"Utterly blot out" signifies a complete and thorough destruction, not just military defeat but also erasure from memory and historical record.
"The memory of Amalek" suggests that God's goal isn't just to eliminate the people but also to erase their name, legacy, and any trace of their existence as a distinct entity.
"From under the sky" emphasizes the completeness of the destruction, extending it to all areas accessible to humans (under the open sky).
In essence, the verse means:
God commands Moses to write down the Amalekites' attack in the desert. This act of writing serves as a memorial to the event, a historical reminder for future generations of Israel. Moses must also relay this information specifically to Joshua, the future leader, so he understands the context of future conflicts with the Amalekites. Finally, God declares his intention to completely destroy the Amalekites, erasing their very memory from existence as a punishment for their unprovoked attack on the Israelites in the wilderness.
Historical and Theological Context:
The Amalekites' Attack: The Amalekites attacked the Israelites soon after the Exodus from Egypt, while the Israelites were weak and vulnerable (Exodus 17:8-16). This attack was seen as particularly malicious and cowardly because they targeted the rear ranks, those who were tired and lagging behind.
Divine Justice: The verse reflects the concept of divine justice in the Old Testament. God is portrayed as punishing those who oppose him and his chosen people.
Command to Eradicate: This verse is often cited in discussions about the ethical complexities of the Old Testament, particularly the commands for the Israelites to eradicate certain groups. It raises questions about the nature of God's justice, the morality of warfare, and the interpretation of scripture.
Key takeaway: The verse is not simply about a past battle. It is about divine justice, the importance of remembering history, and a command for future action against a specific enemy of Israel. It's a complex verse that has been subject to much interpretation and debate.
Exodus 17:14 - Yahweh said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky.”
What does "Exodus 17:14" mean?
This verse from Exodus 17:14 is a powerful declaration of divine judgment against the Amalekites and a command to remember this judgment. Let's break it down:
"Yahweh said to Moses..." This establishes the verse as a direct command from God to Moses, giving it authority.
"...Write this for a memorial in a book..." God instructs Moses to record this event for posterity. The purpose is to preserve the memory of Amalek's actions and God's decree against them. The "book" is likely an early form of writing, perhaps on scrolls or tablets.
"...and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua..." Moses is also instructed to personally communicate this information to Joshua, who will become the leader of the Israelites after Moses. This ensures that Joshua is aware of the historical significance of Amalek's actions and the divine mandate to deal with them. "Rehearse it in the ears" emphasizes an oral communication, ensuring Joshua understands the importance of the event and the order.
"...that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky." This is the core of the verse. It's a declaration of God's intention to completely destroy the Amalekites.
"Utterly blot out" signifies a complete and thorough destruction, not just military defeat but also erasure from memory and historical record.
"The memory of Amalek" suggests that God's goal isn't just to eliminate the people but also to erase their name, legacy, and any trace of their existence as a distinct entity.
"From under the sky" emphasizes the completeness of the destruction, extending it to all areas accessible to humans (under the open sky).
In essence, the verse means:
God commands Moses to write down the Amalekites' attack in the desert. This act of writing serves as a memorial to the event, a historical reminder for future generations of Israel. Moses must also relay this information specifically to Joshua, the future leader, so he understands the context of future conflicts with the Amalekites. Finally, God declares his intention to completely destroy the Amalekites, erasing their very memory from existence as a punishment for their unprovoked attack on the Israelites in the wilderness.
Historical and Theological Context:
The Amalekites' Attack: The Amalekites attacked the Israelites soon after the Exodus from Egypt, while the Israelites were weak and vulnerable (Exodus 17:8-16). This attack was seen as particularly malicious and cowardly because they targeted the rear ranks, those who were tired and lagging behind.
Divine Justice: The verse reflects the concept of divine justice in the Old Testament. God is portrayed as punishing those who oppose him and his chosen people.
Command to Eradicate: This verse is often cited in discussions about the ethical complexities of the Old Testament, particularly the commands for the Israelites to eradicate certain groups. It raises questions about the nature of God's justice, the morality of warfare, and the interpretation of scripture.
Key takeaway: The verse is not simply about a past battle. It is about divine justice, the importance of remembering history, and a command for future action against a specific enemy of Israel. It's a complex verse that has been subject to much interpretation and debate.