Bible Strands
Exodus 17:8
After this, the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative records the Amalekites launching an assault against the Israelites at Rephidim immediately following the people's testing of God's presence at Massah and Meribah.
The words — עֲמָלֵ֑ק ('a.ma.Lek) identifies the hostile nation, while וַ/יִּלָּ֥חֶם (va/i.yi.La.chem) literally means "and it joined battle," marking the shift from spiritual dispute to physical conflict.
The thread — Genesis 36:12 traces Amalek’s lineage to Esau, Deuteronomy 25:17 commands remembrance of this strike, and Numbers 24:20 pronounces the nation's ultimate destruction.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that physical opposition follows spiritual doubt, requiring both immediate defensive action and sustained dependence on divine authority.
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
King James Version
Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
Cross-references
- Genesis 36:12 Additionally, Timna, a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, gave birth to Amalek. These are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Adah.
- Deuteronomy 25:17 Remember what the Amalekites did to you along your way from Egypt,
- Numbers 24:20 Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”
- 1 Samuel 15:2 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them on their way up from Egypt.
- 1 Samuel 30:1 On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down.
- Genesis 36:16 Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. They are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom, and they are the grandsons of Adah.
- Psalms 83:7 of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre.