what was the sin of the amalekites

M. Weippert, Semitische Nomaden des zweiten Jahrtausends. There seems to be a contradiction is scriptures. [33] Groups identified with Amalek include the Romans, Nazis, Stalinists, ISIS, Palestinians[34] and bellicose Iranian leaders such as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.[35][36]. They were the first nation to attack the Israelites when they left Egypt ( Exodus 17:8; Numbers 14:45 ). More closely historical than the Pentateuch's accounts of Amalek are the traditions set in the period of the Judges and the monarchy. They were created to be his vice regents over all creation. Otherwise, their fate, will be identical to that of the Amalekites. Horovitz and I.A. Because of Sauls failure to wipe out the Amalekites, they continued to harass and plunder the Israelites over hundreds of years. 1 Samuel 15:2 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'I - Bible Hub The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The magnitude of the Amalekite defeat in the days of Saul is apparently reflected in the pronouncement of Balaam: "Their (i.e., Israel's) king shall rise above Agag, their kingdom shall be exalted" (Num. The Apostle Paul said: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 ESV). According to the biblical account, the war began as a result of a divine command of the Lord to Saul through Samuel to smite Amalek and destroy it, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass" (I Sam. [7] In the oracle of Balaam, Amalek was called the 'first of the nations'. 13:21) and the kings of ana in Mari, whose main function may have been a military one. This is perhaps the most widely ignored command in the Bible. 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. And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof. Human beings have a special dignity and status relative to God and the rest of his creation. Saul Defeats the Amalekites but Spares - BibleGateway Effect of a "bad grade" in grad school applications. 1 Samuel 15: Seven Lessons on God's Judgment from the Sins of the Human sin affects absolutely everything that it touches. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. An Amalekite is a name for a member of the Amalekite nation. Amalek's Attack - Chabad.org When Adam and Eve sin they are exiled from the garden and condemned to die: you are dust, and to dust you shall return. (Genesis 3:19 ESV). The Amalekites clearly survived well after the time of Saul, despite his hollow boasts. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. c. Moses builds and altar. The Amalekites seem to have been fairly well controlled under the monarchy, for the OT does not mention them again until the time of Hezekiah (c. 700 b.c.) Were the previous Israelites living in Samaria called Samarians too? This group of Amalekites was reportedly destroyed by 500 Simeonite families who had migrated to the area, "because there was pasture for their flocks." What's the cheapest way to buy out a sibling's share of our parents house if I have no cash and want to pay less than the appraised value? in "hill country of Seir." Perhaps, the statement where Saul struck the Amalekites from Havilah to Shur is hyperbolical. also Judg 10:12). Amalekites oppresses Israel with the help of Moab (Judges 3:12, 13), Amalekites appressed Israel with the help of Midian (Judges 6:3, 7:12). The Amalekites were not completely destroyed by Saul, since at the end of his reign they were still raiding the Negev of the Cherethites, of Judah, and of Caleb, and the town of Ziklag, that had been assigned by King Achish of Gath to David (I Sam. You never know. ; 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. (1871). Moreover, the attack of the Amalekites upon the Israelites encouraged others. For this sin, God damned the Amalekites, commanding the Jews to wage a holy war to exterminate them. Obviously, some Amalekites escaped Saul's army. Was David responsible for Saul's insane order to slaughter everyone in the city of Nob (1 Sam. 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 3942); it seems most likely that the reference is to the western Negev, where the Amalekites roamed from early times. Completely destroy all that they have. Etymology [ edit] 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. An ancient marauding people in the S of Canaan and the Negeb who were fierce enemies of Israel particularly in the earlier part of her history. 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. [27], Although Egyptian and Assyrian monumental inscriptions and records of the period survive which list various tribes and peoples of the area, no reference has ever been found to Amalek or the Amalekites. Saul only targeted the Amalekites who lived in the Havilah to Shur region (1 Samuel 15:7). This principle is transposed by Jesus into a New Covenant key in the parable or metaphor of the sheep and the goats. Deut 34:3). They were among the nomadic raiders defeated by Gideon and were condemned to annihilation by Samuel. [25] Some Muslim historians claimed that the Amalekites who fought Joshua were descendants of the inhabitants of North Africa. identifies Amalek with Rome (Bacher, Tann, 1 (19302), 146). The proposed identification of the Amalekites with the Amaw or the Shasu of Egyptian sources is untenable. 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. Source: Did Saul lie to Samuel in 1 Samuel 15:7? It is unimaginable that such a juxtaposition would have been possible after the consciousness of the divine war of extermination against Amalek had taken root in Israel. When the nation was weak and vulnerable the Amalekites attacked the weakest and most vulnerable of the nation ( Deuteronomy 25:18 ). Why did God want to destroy the Amalekites? 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. This principle is further illustrated in terms of Jesus response to the persecution of the church by Saul in Acts 8 and 9. 2008 The Gale Group. They were the first nation to attack the Jewish people after the Exodus from Egypt, and they are seen as the archetypal enemy of the Jews. The New Testament Apostles did not understand that reality to have been nullified by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, rather they understood this Old Testament story, and others like it, as: an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly (2 Peter 2:6 ESV). They were, and still continue to be in their descendants, the Bedouins, an untamable race of savages, whose delight is in robbery and plunder. [51], In addition, the Amalekites, as a physical nation, have been extinct since the time of Hezekiah's reign, according to the Hebrew Bible. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. All Rights Reserved Bridger, David. 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. It is related that when Samuel put Agag to death he said "As your sword has bereaved women, so shall your mother be the most bereaved of women" (I Sam. The record says that Saul took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword.. There may have been multiple enclaves of Amalekites scattered throughout the Sinai peninsula. They Amalekites ranged fairly widely, having originated as one of the Edomite tribes. During the period of the Judges, the Amalekites participated with other nations in attacks on the Israelite tribes. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! It shows that Saul's claim that he had destroyed all the Amalekites was quote false and hollow. 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. What we do have is historical documentation that shows that some Amalekites lived well beyond the time of Saul. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The Vulgate also names David as the author. Similarly, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah did not just fall upon adult men and women, it fell generally upon the city as a whole men and women, boys and girls, and cattle. Michael Heiser Giant Clans | Sin Of The Amorites (Genesis 15:16) They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way. Amalek in later history. Corrections? The end of the age will involve first separation, and only then, renewal and restoration. 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. This may indicate that Agag's military success was proverbial. Amalek, "the first of the nations" (Num. Amalekite, member of an ancient nomadic tribe, or collection of tribes, described in the Old Testament as relentless enemies of Israel, even though they were closely related to Ephraim, one of the 12 tribes of Israel. In which made it possible for Haman the Agagite [descendant of Agag] to appear (Esther 3:1); his cruel plot against the Jews could only be counteracted by another descendant of Kish, Mordecai. The Amalekites. The Amalekites (/mlkats/[6]) were considered to be Amalek's descendants through the genealogy of Esau. They lived amongst the Kenites, Canaanites, etc and if they lived amongst them there was definitely mixing and thus they was preserved. Where did the Amalekites come from? - TimesMojo In 1 Samuel 13 and 1 Samuel 15, for which act of Saul's disobedience did God take away the kingdom? Shepherds used this same methodology to count their flock. This principle remains active throughout the entire Old Testament. Surely, there were Amalekites who lived beyond this region. What was the sin of the Amalekites? - Quora 3 Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Smiths Bible Dictionary Rephidim (Exodus 17:1,8; 19:2) The name means restsor stays, i.e. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. That is pretty large distance of battle between Arabia and Egypt. What does a shepherd do with his rod and staff? Moses holding up his arms during the Battle of Refidim, assisted by Hur and Aaron, in John Everett Millais Victory O Lord! Rather than there being a contradiction in scripture, the more obvious reason for the conundrum is that although Saul attacked the Amalekite army he did not not complete the task according to Gods instructions. (1 Samuel 30:17-18) Perhaps the Amalakites conscripted the help of their friendly neighbours. 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. Answer The Amalekites were a formidable tribe of nomads living in the area south of Canaan, between Mount Seir and the Egyptian border. NY: Behrman House, Inc. 1976. 24:7). When those privileged to enter the eternal kingdom express surprise over the grace being shown to them, Jesus says: Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:40 ESV). [56]John Gill also describes the cherem as an example of the law of retaliation being carried out. August 21, 2017. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. As David Firth argues, this was probably "only one encampment was attacked, it would explain why Amalek continued to pose problem later" (1 & 2 Samuel, Downers Grove, IL/Nottingham, UK: InterVarsity/Apollos, 2009). What the Bible says about Amalekites - Bible Tools Therefore, all who are wise will forsake their sin and seek absolution through the means that he provides. The Book of Exodus relates that Joshua fought against Amalek under the inspiration of Moses, who was supported by Aaron and Hur, and that he mowed them down with the sword. Ed. read in Amalek. Judges 6:3, 33; 7:12 depict the Amalekites joining forces with the Midianites (who seem to have wandered in the area of Sinai [Exod 4:19] and wilderness E of Paran [1 Kings 11:18]; and also in the territory E of Gilead [Judg 8:4-12]), and making camel raids against the agriculture communities of Israel as far S as Gaza (6:3, 4). What risks are you taking when "signing in with Google"? Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. The Amalekites, descendants of Amalek, were an ancient biblical nation living near the land of Canaan. Num. They were among the nomadic raiders defeated by Gideon and were condemned to annihilation by Samuel. More metaphorically, to some Hasidic rabbis (particularly the Baal Shem Tov), Amalek represents atheism or the rejection of God. Hence the meaning of the name in this context is not merely geographic (Judg. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This put the line of promise in immediate danger: But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abrams wife. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the . [25], In the exegesis of Numbers 24:20 concerning Balaam's utterance: "Amalek was the first one of the nations, but his end afterward will be even his perishing", Richard Watson attempts to associate this passage to the "first one of the nations" that developed post-Flood. Amalek and Israel. This is the inner logic that explains the sequence of redemption. Thus, the continuing oppressive spirit of this pagan nomadic tribe required a different treatment by the Lord from that which was to be normally carried out; namely, that terms of peace be first offered to a potential enemy (Deut 20:10-12). The term "city of Amalek" is not to be understood literally, and it is possible that it means a fortified camp. 2. However, such an interpretation contradicts the meaning of the chapter whose purpose is to relate how various tribes and families became annexed to Judah, i.e., "the people." He was born to Eliphaz by his concubine Timna (Gen 36:12) was one of the tribal chiefs (, H477) of Edom (Gen 36:16, 17). Who were the Amalekites? - Bible Portal During the Purim festival, the Book of Esther is read in the commemoration of the saving of the Jewish people from Haman who plotted to kill all Jews in Persian Empire. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". I'd be interested if that Amalekite bloodline still survives aka Hitler etc. 1 Samuel 15:15 says: And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the (Gen. 25:18). 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. Exod 17:8; Num 14:45). While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. He said: I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. All human beings stand under a sentence of death: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 ESV). Then the future king, through the help of an abandoned Egyp. In Jewish history the Amalekitesa tribe with genocidal intentions against God's peoplecame to symbolize all those who sought to eradicate the Jewish people, from Titus to Hadrian, Khmelnitsky to Hitler. [30][31], According to the Midrash, the Amalekites were sorcerers who could transform themselves to resemble animals, in order to avoid capture. How come David fought an Amalekite army that Saul has already eradicated a few years earlier? There, they might blend in, or even be protected under the terms of Dt. [48], In addition, many rabbinic authorities ruled that the commandment only applies to a Jewish king or an organized community, and cannot be performed by an individual. Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. The Amalekites, throughout their history, were aggressive to the Israelites. The etymology is uncertain, according to John L. McKenzie (1995), while Cox (1884) suggested "High." This implies that Israel is commanded to wage a holy war of extermination against Amalek (Deut. King Saul , ancestor of Esther and Mordechai , failed to follow Gd 's command to get rid of the Amalekite king Agag , and the events of Purim can thus be seen as a "rematch" for this . [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. Introduction: In chapter 15, God judged first the Amalekites and then Saul. Matthew George Easton advocated that the Amalekites were not descendants of Amalek by taking a literal approach to Genesis 14:7. Telushkin, Joseph. ; Josh. According to William Petri, Amalekites tried to prevent the Israelites from reaching the oasis. God saved the Jews in Persia, however, and Haman, his sons, and the rest of Israels enemies were destroyed instead (Esther 9:510). (3) The verse "Remember" is meant to remind all men of "the rule which holds good for all generations, namely, that the scourge [the staff of God's indignation] with which Israel is smitten will itself finally be smitten" (Mekhilta, 181). The Amalekites harassed the Hebrews during their Exodus from Egypt and attacked them at Rephidim near Mount Sinai, where they were defeated by Joshua. The Amalekites harassed the Hebrews during their Exodus from Egypt and attacked them at Rephidim near Mount Sinai, where they were defeated by Joshua. For this sin, God damned the Amalekites, commanding the Jews to wage a holy war to exterminate them. the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. The Good News of the Gospel is that because of the person and work of Jesus, all human beings may receive the free gift of God which is eternal life. In the biblical traditions, Israel, after sinning through cowardice and lack of faith as a result of the discouraging report of the spies, turned around and "defiantly marched to the crest of the hill country" (Num. Also Minchat Chinuch, parshat Ki Tetze, mitzvah 434. c. In the time of Saul. Therefore, Saul's boast the he had destroyed the Amalekites was not true and he was rebuked for this and other matters. "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. Why did US v. Assange skip the court of appeal? New International Version (NIV). [29], According to a midrash, Amalek's mother Timna was a princess who had tried to convert to Judaism but had been rejected by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It was the Amalekites who raided David's city of Ziklag, stealing away his family and possessions ( 1 Samuel 30:1-3 ). God has a settled antagonism against sin. 25:18; Josh. 31:8; Judg. The last remnants appear to have been largely eliminated by the tribe of Simeon during the time of Hezekiah (1 Chron 4:42, 43). Haman in the Book of Esther was a descendant of the king Agag that Samuel executed (see 4 above). We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 3 Why did God want to destroy the Amalekites? | The Christian Century But if we remain in our sins, then we will perish in our sins, as Jesus himself said in the Gospel of Luke: No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3 ESV). The dispute between Samuel and Saul with regard to the erem was not over the command itself, but the extent to which it had been put into effect. 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to Because of this and their many other sins, God vowed to blot them out from under heaven (Ex. 1 Samuel 30:1, 2 points to the Amalekite heavy raiding activity in the area of the Negeb, and Judges 6:3, 33 in speaking of the Amalekite association with the kings of the E in their raiding parties suggests that they may have lived sometime together in the Arabian territory toward the E. The Amalekites also extended their influence farther N into the Philistine country and the region of Ephraim. Furthermore, it is possible that Saul is primarily engaged in battle against Whereas the Kenites passed into permanent settlement during the First Temple period and were assimilated in Judah (I Chron. Amalekites had taken; and David rescued his two wives. [58], "Amalekites" redirects here. Judg 12:15 and remarks earlier). Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! 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). Don't leave a thing; kill all the men, women, children, and babies; the cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys." International Standard Version Now, go and attack Amalek. After the victories of Saul and David the Amalekites ceased to be a factor of any influence in the border regions of Judah and the Negev, just as the Midianites had after the war of Gideon. 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. What does it mean that "the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its It is entirely consistent with the overall storyline and theology of the Bible. 3. Where was Moses holding up his arms during the Battle of Refidim? Amalek (/mlk/;[1] Hebrew: , 'mlq, Arabic: 'Amlq) was a nation described in the Hebrew Bible as a staunch enemy of the Israelites. Deuteronomy 25:17 Remember what the Amalekites did to you along your 3:1213). Its site is not certain, but it is perhaps Wady Feiran, a rather broad valley about 25 miles from Jebel Musa(Mount Sinai). ", "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.

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