what was the sin of the amalekites

The name "Amalek" can refer to the nation's founder, a grandson of Esau; his descendants, the Amalekites; or the territories of Amalek, which they inhabited. ). It is a reminder that those who persist in sin will face the certain and awful judgment of the Lord. Deuteronomy explicitly admonishes the Israelites to remember Amalek and blot out its memory from under heaven, whereas in the Exodus version this can only be inferred (see above). Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. If it helps, 1 Samuel 15:8-9, Saul did spared the king of Amalekites, Agag. Smiths Bible Dictionary Rephidim (Exodus 17:1,8; 19:2) The name means restsor stays, i.e. The most immediate answer would seem to be that unlike the people of Ninevah, the Amalekites did not repent, though they were given plenty of time to do so. Consider his excuse for not killing all the livestock, for example. Moses appointed Joshua to lead the Israelite army not because of his own weakness or advanced years but because he wished "to train Joshua in warfare" (Mekhilta, 179; Ex. Sources: Encyclopaedia Judaica. Shepherds used this same methodology to count their flock. God also gave each an opportunity to repent before He judged them. The. This implies that Israel is commanded to wage a holy war of extermination against Amalek (Deut. What happened in Massah in the Bible? However, Saul himself can hardly have advanced as far as the borders of Egypt (and if this Havilah is the same as that in Gen. 10:7, 29 Arabia as well). What was the reason for David to leave no man or women alive? [16] It has been further argued that if the identification of the settlements at Tel Masos with the Amalekites is correct, then behind the biblical narrative of Saul's campaigns against this central Amalekite station of the southern network of metal transportation and trade, there may have been a strategic desire to wrest control of copper production, a metal of key importance in the early Israelite period and, it is argued, in its early theology and ritual.[17]. Who were the Amalekites? 47:19), then this battle was waged in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula. 25:19 Not to forget Amalek's atrocities and ambush on our journey from Egypt in the desert, Some commentators have discussed the ethical deficiency of the commandment to exterminate all the Amalekites, especially including the command to kill children, and the presumption of collective punishment. [8] He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. 1 Samuel said to Saul, "I am the one the Lord sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the Lord. This past week, Pastor Andrew discussed the fall of Saul and had to deal with 1 Samuel 15:3. 2 Kings 17:24 KJV. Therefore, Saul's boast the he had destroyed the Amalekites was not true and he was rebuked for this and other matters. On what basis are pardoning decisions made by presidents or governors when exercising their pardoning power? 600 Deut. What is meant by "the sin of the Amorites is not yet complete" in Genesis 15:16? Deut 34:3). https://www.britannica.com/topic/Amalekites, JewishEncyclopedia.com - Amalek, Amalekites, Amalekites - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). The last mention of the Amalekites is found in the book of Esther where Haman the Agagite, a descendant of the Amalekite king Agag, connives to have all the Jews in Persia annihilated by order of King Xerxes. Its site is not certain, but it is perhaps Wady Feiran, a rather broad valley about 25 miles from Jebel Musa(Mount Sinai). Exodus 17 describes Israel's first encounter with the wandering Amalekites at Rephidim, a place between the wilderness of Sin and the wilderness of Sinai (Exod 17:1; 19:2), at which the Israelites camped in their Exodus journey from Amalek is described as the "chief of Amalek" among the "chiefs of the sons of Esau," from which it is assumed that he ruled a clan or territory named after him . Now if the Hebrew Samarians went to war with Assyria and lost and the New Samarians went to war with Assyria decades later did Assyria fight the same people group? 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. The line of promise thus becomes the locus of blessing and cursing in the world. Amalek in later history. They were the first nation to attack the Israelites when they left Egypt ( Exodus 17:8; Numbers 14:45 ). 13:21) and the kings of ana in Mari, whose main function may have been a military one. It only takes a minute to sign up. 25:17 Remember what Amalek did to the Israelites Perhaps the author merely wishes to define the normal range of the nomadic Amalekites in the time of Saul. Ed. The end of the age will involve first separation, and only then, renewal and restoration. Furthermore, it is possible that Saul is primarily engaged in battle against If hypothetically Paris were to be invaded and all the Parisians were killed, but Paris infrastructure was still usable, would it be too much to consider another group of people move in? Amalek, a son of Esau's son Eliphaz, was presumably the eponymous ancestor of the Amalekites. [7] This role appears in several stories: In Genesis 14:7, the "field of the Amalekites" is mentioned, though the person Amalek had not yet been born. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Num. 2:345; Josh. Within this period of the Judges the Amalekites were associated with the Moabites, Ammonites, and Midianites in their marauding activities. The Arabians mention Imlik, Amalik, or Ameleka among the aborigines of Arabia, the remains of which were mingled with the descendants of Qahtan (Joktan) and Adnan and became Mostarabs or Mocarabes, that is, Arabians mixed with foreigners. "Amalek was the first of the nations, But his end shall be destruction." Amalekites Defeated by david 1 Samuel 27:8-9 Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites and the Girzites and the Amalekites; for they were the inhabitants of the land from ancient times, as you come to Shur even as far as the land of Egypt. You can also download the Into The Word app on iTunes or Google Play. The Amalekites provide an explanation for the irrational and intense hatred for Jews that echoes through human history. 15:10; and perhaps also Judg. 599 Deut. This may be seen in the record of Saul's wars in which the war of Amalek receives special mention: "He did valiantly, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them" (I Sam. [4] Amalek is described as the "chief of Amalek" among the "chiefs of the sons of Esau",[5] from which it is surmised that he ruled a clan or territory named after him. 15:4; Ezek. It has no lasting place in his creation. The King (and presumably many senior officials) survived and many others did as well. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This book was written to address and resolve the 600 year disparity between Biblical history and secular ancient history. Download our mobile app for on-the-go access to the Jewish Virtual Library, 1998 - 2023 American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. Amalek (/mlk/;[1] Hebrew: , 'mlq, Arabic: 'Amlq) was a nation described in the Hebrew Bible as a staunch enemy of the Israelites. In 1 Samuel 13 and 1 Samuel 15, for which act of Saul's disobedience did God take away the kingdom? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). As a people, the Amalekites were identified as a recurrent enemy of the Israelites. From the scanty information in I Samuel 15, it may be concluded that Saul achieved victory over the Amalekites and advanced all the way to their headquarters, "the city of Amalek." [9] But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambseverything that was good. Can the game be left in an invalid state if all state-based actions are replaced? This brought a curse of ultimate annihilation from Moses (Ex 17:14-16, Deut 25:19) and Balaam (Num 24:20). Thus, in 1 Samuel 15:3, it was considered necessary to destroy the livestock in order to destroy Amalek. That is possible but we do not have any documentation. The command imposed on Saul to subject the Amalekites to the ban (erem), however, conforms to the version in Deuteronomy. [28] While considerable knowledge about nomadic Arabs has been recovered through archeological research, no specific artifacts or sites have been linked to Amalek with any certainty. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The rabbis derived these from Deuteronomy 25:1718, Exodus 17:14 and 1 Samuel 15:3. In other words, those Amalekites who lived in the area mentioned, and who adhered closely to Agag, may have been wiped out; but those who lived elsewhere could have survived or blended in with other Edomite groups. Because of Sauls failure to wipe out the Amalekites, they continued to harass and plunder the Israelites over hundreds of years. 24:7). The Amalekites persisted in their sin . Now listen to his message. It does not store any personal data. Amalek, a son of Esau's son Eliphaz, was presumably the eponymous ancestor of the Amalekites. Answer The Amalekites were a formidable tribe of nomads living in the area south of Canaan, between Mount Seir and the Egyptian border. Without raising the possibility of textual reconstruction in detail, it may be established, by drawing a parallel with the element "people," which appears repeatedly in this song, that the name Amalek in the masoretic text is the authentic one. The name Amalek is not mentioned in writings outside the Bible. The wages of sin is death Old Testament and New. In the biblical genealogical system, Amalek is the son of Esau's son Eliphaz by Eliphaz's concubine Timna (Gen. 36:12). ; LXX ) to Amalekite (), to try to make agreement with 1 Samuel 15:6, since the connection of the Kenites in these two passages is clear and evidence for changing the text is lacking. [30][31], According to the Midrash, the Amalekites were sorcerers who could transform themselves to resemble animals, in order to avoid capture. (1 Samuel 30:17-18) Perhaps the Amalakites conscripted the help of their friendly neighbours. The total destruction of the Amalekites was an echo of the flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, as also an anticipation of the final judgment at the end of the age. Despite the "pre-deuteronomic" literary framework of chapter 15 and its prophetic-ideological aim, embedded in it is an ancient historical tradition about a war of extermination that reflects Saul's war against Amalek. Kill men and women, infants and nursing babies, [1] oxen and . Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. We are living in the part of the story wherein the opportunity to be on the right side of this process is being extended to all people, everywhere. Jewish Literacy. They Amalekites ranged fairly widely, having originated as one of the Edomite tribes. If we confess our sins and hide ourselves under the merit of his blood on the cross, we may be forgiven and by his Holy Spirit, restored. In no case did the Amalekites as a whole suffer decisive defeat at this time and their center in the Negev was not harmed. 12:15), but serves to indicate the warlike nature of Ephraim, beside Benjamin. Some commentators explain this as a reference to the territory which was later on inhabited by the Amalekites. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Genesis 36 refers to the descendants of Amalek, the son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau, as . When righteous human beings exercise dominion everything they touch is blessed. To touch the people of God is to touch God. This group of Amalekites was reportedly destroyed by 500 Simeonite families who had migrated to the area, "because there was pasture for their flocks." The Amalekites clearly survived well after the time of Saul, despite his hollow boasts. When the Israelites traveled into Canaan, they discovered the Amalekites, who inhabited the northern Sinai Peninsula and the Negev. and his associate kings subdued among others, all the country of the Amalekites, which reference need not be taken as an anachronism, but is to be understood as possibly a different Amalek, or better, that the term is used to identify the land which later became the home of the Amalekite descendants of Esau. ", "ISIS a Reenactment of Biblical War Between Israel and the Amalekites, Military Analysts Say", "Unmasking Purim, Fighting Amalek: Behind the whimsy of this holiday lie some deep lessons for living", "Esther 3 Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges", "Ethical Criticism of the Bible: The Case of Divinely Mandated Genocide", "Religion, nationalism and genocide: ancient Judaism revisited", "1 Samuel 15: Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers", "Metaphysical Hatred and Sacred Genocide: The Questionable Role of Amalek in Biblical Literature", Amalek, Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Remember Amalek: A lesson in Divine Providence, Latznu: Popular Culture and the Disciples of Amalek, Antiquities of the Jews - by Josephus Flavius, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amalek&oldid=1149600431, This page was last edited on 13 April 2023, at 07:21. He was rebuked by God for not doing just that. King Herod and his family were Idumean [Edomite] converts to Judaism, and Amalekites may have lived there long after the tribe fades from the biblical record. [55], Theologian Charles Ellicott explains that the Amalekites were subject to cherem in the Book of Samuel for the purposes of incapacitation, due to their 'accursed' nature and the threat they posed to the commonwealth of surrounding nations. The flood scrubbed the world clean of our contagion. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. (Genesis 2:1517 ESV). He was keeping track of the measure of their sins, and, during Abraham's time, it was not yet "full." So the Amorites were warned that judgment was coming. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. As descendants of Esau they had despised the covenant themselves and now were determined that none others could have access to what they had rejected. Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. Start for FREE. [52], A few authorities have ruled that the command never included killing Amalekites. 2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. The royal line of the Kings is what led to Haman. It seems that somehow or other, an Amalekite or two continued to survive and their theme always seems to be the destruction of the Jewish people: Aka Haman. is there such a thing as "right to be heard"? Esau and Amalek are a type of Satan who was ousted by Jesus' redemptive cross and lost his place of rulership over all who possess the born again birthright via being bought and paid for by the precious blood of the Lamb (Romans 5:9; 2 Corinthians 5:15-21; Colossians 2:14-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19, etc. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king. (1 Samuel 15:23). [58], "Amalekites" redirects here. More closely historical than the Pentateuch's accounts of Amalek are the traditions set in the period of the Judges and the monarchy. The Amalekites are not listed in the table of nations in Genesis 10, as they did not originate until after Esau's time. Moses holding up his arms during the Battle of Refidim, assisted by Hur and Aaron, in John Everett Millais Victory O Lord! What sin did the Amalekites commit? 23:7 -- "You shall not abhor an Edomite for he is your brother.". In Jewish folklore, the Amalekites are considered to be the symbol of evil. Why do you think they all lived in that city? 15 And Samuel said to Saul, "The Lord sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel; now therefore hearken to the words of the Lord. I'd be interested if that Amalekite bloodline still survives aka Hitler etc. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Did God permit David to marry numerous wives in 2 Samuel 12:8? When they leave Rephidim, the Israelites advance into the Sinai Wilderness, possibly marching through the passes of the Wadi Solaf and the Wadi esh-Sheikh, which converge at the entrance to the er-Rahah plain (which would then be identified with the Sinai Wilderness), which is three kilometers long and about eight hundred metres wide. It has been suggested by Moshe Kochavi that the ir Amaleq, (city of Amalek) referred to at 1 Samuel 15:5 may be identified with the site at Khirbet eI-Meshash (Tel Masos) on the periphery of the Wadi Beer-sheba, some 12 kilometres east of the city of Beer Sheva itself. Samuel's words more closely parallel the narrative about the attack of Amalek in the Book of Deuteronomy (25:1719), which relates that the Amalekites attacked the Israelites on their way out of Egypt, "when you were famished and weary," and cut down the stragglers in the rear, without mentioning any victorious Israelite counteraction. William Morrow and Company, Inc. 1991. Why does Acts not mention the deaths of Peter and Paul? The immediate reason given for the destruction of the Amalekites in 1 Samuel 15 is given in verse 2: Thus says the LORD of hosts, I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt. This is borne out by Judges 12:15 where the area of Ephraim around the town Pirathon (not far from present-day Nablus) is called the hill country of the Amalekites. See 1 Samuel 27:5-7 and 30:1 for the fact that Amalek raided Philistine towns like Ziklag (a few m. N of Beersheba) which Achish, king of Gath, had given to David. In the Book of Exodus, the Amalekites attacked the Children of Israel on their journey to the land of Israel. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. The Amorites' sin had not escaped God's notice. New International Version (NIV). 25:17). In Numbers 24:20 Balaam prophesied, Amalek was the first of the nations, but in the end he shall come to destruction. This reference does not suggest that the early Genesis 14:7 reference to Amalek is in conflict with the Genesis 36:16 statement regarding Amalek, the grandson of Esau. In I Chronicles 4:4243, some obscure information has been preserved about the remnant of Amalek. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. Matthew George Easton advocated that the Amalekites were not descendants of Amalek by taking a literal approach to Genesis 14:7. They were created to be his vice regents over all creation. a. Thus the tannaitic aggadah of the first century B.C.E. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way. Gods command to utterly and entirely destroy the Amalekites in 1 Samuel 15 has been a cause of stumbling for many Bible readers over the years. The Amalekites are a picture of the sinful desires of our flesh that consume, destroy, and exhaust us like a person trying to free themselves from the bondage of a rope."..Beloved, our flesh will always oppose us, but need not oppress us. d. In the time of David. The Amalekites as a nomadic desert tribe moved in the area from the Sinaitic region and the steppe land of the Negeb in S Canaan, S of Beersheba, over E to include the Arabah region N of Elath and Ezion-geber and possibly the more interior Arabia. Nur Masalha, Elliot Horowitz, and Josef Stern suggest that Amalekites have come to represent an "eternally irreconcilable enemy" that wants to murder Jews, that Jews in post-biblical times sometimes associate contemporary enemies with Haman or Amalekites, and that some Jews believe that pre-emptive violence is acceptable against such enemies. Answer: The Amalekites were a tribe first mentioned during the time of Abraham ( Genesis 14:7 ). 2008 The Gale Group. rev2023.4.21.43403. The name "Amalek" can refer to the nation's founder, a grandson of Esau; his descendants, the Amalekites; or the territories of Amalek, which they inhabited. M. Weippert, Semitische Nomaden des zweiten Jahrtausends. Thus, in 1 Samuel 15:3, it was considered necessary to destroy the livestock in order to destroy Amalek.[32]. Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! Evidently the Amalekites had some cities, as this one, in which they sometimes settled, and possibly fulfilled religious obligations as has been shown was the case of nomadic tribes in the Trans-Jordan in connection with a 15th cent. Exod 17:8; Num 14:45). A summary of Davids conquests of Amalek is given in 2 Samuel 8:12 and 1 Chronicles 18:11. 14:45). Amalek, "the first of the nations" (Num. Introduction to positive commandments, Beer Mayim Hayim, letter Alef, Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, "Timna, concubine of Eliphaz: Midrash and Aggadah", "Shabbat Zachor: "Remember what Amalek did to you!" You never know. Saul was severely rebuked for this incomplete job and his attempt at "spin" by suggesting that all had been eliminated when, clearly, they had not. Shur is on the edge of Egypt; Havilah is in Saudi Arabia. The New Jewish Encyclopedia. In Judaism, the Amalekites came to represent the archetypal enemy of the Jews. The flood did not just destroy rebellious adult men and women it killed everything and everyone not in the ark. 2 Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'I will punish what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way, when they came up out of Egypt. When the nation was weak and vulnerable the Amalekites attacked the weakest and most vulnerable of the nation ( Deuteronomy 25:18 ). One of the descendants is the Amorites. Introduction: In chapter 15, God judged first the Amalekites and then Saul. In doing so he created a line of promise and blessing that was intended to encompass all the people in the world. Some believe that this Amalekite patronage of the Kenites is also mentioned in Judges 1:16, reading (in accordance with a few Septuagint manuscripts and the Latin Vulgate version) "and they settled with the Amalekite" instead of "and they settled with the people." The Amalekites. The Defeat of Amalek. by H.S. David The RSV in Judges 5:14 wrongly changes the words in Amalek to into the valley, although that v. indicates in a footnote that the Heb. For Sauls failure to fulfill completely the divine command, Samuel announced to the monarch the Lords rejection of him as king (1 Sam 15:10-23). 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Genesis 12:23 ESV). Where does the word Rephidim appear in the Bible? They were a warlike people. According to William Petri, Amalekites tried to prevent the Israelites from reaching the oasis. 14:48). Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. In particular, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas and John Calvin have defended a literal reading of these passages at length. How to Make a Black glass pass light through it? There is an earlier reference to the word Amalek in Genesis 14:7 where Chedorlaomer (c. 1900 b.c.) b.c. But why did he do it? Commercial Photography: How To Get The Right Shots And Be Successful, Nikon Coolpix P510 Review: Helps You Take Cool Snaps, 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Marshmallow, Technological Advancements: How Technology Has Changed Our Lives (In A Bad Way), 15 Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for your Android Lollipop, Awe-Inspiring Android Apps Fabulous Five, IM Graphics Plugin Review: You Dont Need A Graphic Designer. 4 [Dec., 1969], 104-111). For an Rabbanic explanation of Timna lineage see. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:2223 ESV). 30:14). Please, New blog post from our CEO Prashanth: Community is the future of AI, Improving the copy in the close modal and post notices - 2023 edition. Further, in their song (Judg 5:14) Deborah (who was from Ephraim, 4:5) and Barak speak of how Ephraim had shown strength in rooting out those of the Amalekites who were in its midst (cf. What would make it complete?And they shall come back here in the fourth gene. 1998. Obviously, some Amalekites escaped Saul's army. When David came against the army of the Amalekites it may have been composed of warriors from various tribes mercenaries or soldiers of fortune who had joined up with the Amalakites against Israel. The word baca means balsam but is also the Hebrew verb for weep. (The balsam tree weeps its resin.) The focus of Psalm 84 is the delight of worship. The most immediate answer would seem to be that unlike the people of Ninevah, the Amalekites did not repent, though they were given plenty of time to do so. In some rabbinical interpretations, Amalek is etymologised as am lak, 'a people who lick (blood)',[2] but most specialists regard the origin to be unknown.[3]. So Saul puts together an army of two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men from Judah. They persisted and progressed in sin and wickedness. All Rights Reserved Bridger, David. (19) Thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek. How come David fought an Amalekite army that Saul has already eradicated a few years earlier? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website.
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