Bible Strands

Exodus 17:11

As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed; but when he lowered them, Amalek prevailed.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The narrative places Moses, Aaron, and Hur on a hilltop while Joshua commands Israel's forces against the Amalekites below. This moment occurs during an active battle where Moses' physical posture directly dictates the tactical outcome.

The words — יָרִ֥ים (ya.Rim) means "he lifted up," and וְ/גָבַ֣ר (ve./ga.Var) means "and it prevailed." These terms establish the immediate textual sequence that raising the hands correlates with Israel's success while lowering them correlates with Amalek's success.

The thread — The motif of lifted hands accompanying divine intervention appears in 1 Timothy 2:8 regarding prayer and Psalms 56:9 regarding enemies retreating when crying for help. James 5:16 extends the pattern by linking mutual confession and prayer to tangible outcomes.

Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that sustained posture and communal support, not isolated effort, drive the result. It demands maintaining steady intercession and accepting assistance when personal strength diminishes.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְהָיָ֗הve./ha.Yahand/ it wasכַּאֲשֶׁ֨רka./'a.Sherjust/ whenיָרִ֥יםya.Rimhe lifted upמֹשֶׁ֛הmo.ShehMosesיָד֖וֹya.D/ohand/ hisוְגָבַ֣רve./ga.Varand/ it prevailedיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לYis.ra.'ElIsraelוְכַאֲשֶׁ֥רve./kha./'a.Sherand/ just/ whenיָנִ֛יחַya.Ni.achhe gave restיָד֖וֹya.D/ohand/ hisוְגָבַ֥רve./ga.Varand/ it prevailedעֲמָלֵֽק׃'a.ma.LekAmalek

King James Version

And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

Cross-references

People named

Moses