Exodus 17:16

“Indeed,” he said, “a hand was lifted up toward the throne of the LORD. The LORD will war against Amalek from generation to generation.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses speaks after constructing an altar named The LORD Is My Banner, addressing the people following the defeat of Amalek.

The words — יָד (yad) means hand, and מִלְחָמָה (milchamah) means war, anchoring the declaration in physical imagery of divine hostility.

The thread — The theme of God’s hand confronting enemies runs through Psalms 21:8, while the throne motif echoes in Isaiah 66:1 and Acts 7:49.

Why it lands — The verse states Yahweh will wage war against Amalek across generations, demanding acknowledgment of His uninterrupted sovereignty over human conflict.

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

וַיֹּ֗אמֶרva/i.Yo.merand/ he said כִּֽי־ki-that יָד֙yada hand עַל־'al-on כֵּ֣סkes[the] throne of יָ֔הּYahYahweh מִלְחָמָ֥הmil.cha.Mahwar לַיהוָ֖הla./Yah.weh[will belong] to/ Yahweh בַּֽעֲמָלֵ֑קba./'a.ma.Lekwith/ Amalek מִדֹּ֖רmi./Dorfrom/ generation דֹּֽר׃ פDorgeneration

King James Version

For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

Cross-references

Psalms 21:8 Your hand will apprehend all Your enemies; Your right hand will seize those who hate You.
Isaiah 66:1 This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be?
Acts 7:49 ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be?