1 Chronicles 4:43

KJV

And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped, and dwelt there unto this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they smote {H5221} the rest {H7611} of the Amalekites {H6002} that were escaped {H6413}, and dwelt {H3427} there unto this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They attacked the remnant of 'Amalek who had escaped and have lived there to this day.

Berean Standard Bible

and struck down the remnant of the Amalekites who had escaped. And they have lived there to this day.

American Standard Version

And they smote the remnant of the Amalekites that escaped, and have dwelt there unto this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse climactically concludes a unique historical narrative within the genealogies of 1 Chronicles, recording the decisive and final victory of a group of Simeonites over the last remnants of the Amalekites in Mount Seir. Driven by a pragmatic need for new pasturelands for their expanding flocks, these Simeonites, acting during the reign of King Hezekiah, conquered the territory previously inhabited by Hamites and, crucially, the Amalekites. This act not only secured vital resources for the Simeonite clans but also fulfilled a long-standing divine mandate for the complete eradication of this persistent enemy of Israel, establishing their permanent settlement in the region and underscoring God's unwavering justice and faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [1 Chronicles 4:43](/1_chronicles/4-43 "1 Chronicles 4:43 - Simeonite Victory and Settlement") serves as the concluding statement to a distinct historical vignette embedded within the extensive genealogies of the tribe of Simeon, spanning [1 Chronicles 4:24-43](/1_chronicles/4-24-43 "1 Chronicles 4:24-43 - Genealogies and History of Simeon"). While the surrounding verses primarily list names and lineages, this narrative (specifically [1 Chronicles 4:39-43](/1_chronicles/4-39-43 "1 Chronicles 4:39-43 - Simeonite Expansion and Conquest")) stands out as a concrete historical account. It details how certain Simeonite clans, facing population growth and insufficient pasture for their flocks in their allotted territory, sought new lands. They migrated westward and southward, first to Gedor and then to Mount Seir, where they encountered and ultimately defeated descendants of Ham and, critically, the Amalekites. This brief but significant account provides a historical anchor for the Simeonite lineage, highlighting their active role in Israel's history and the fulfillment of a long-standing divine command, thereby lending both historical and theological weight to the Chronicler's genealogical record.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Amalekites were a nomadic, predatory people, descendants of Esau, who maintained a long and deeply hostile relationship with Israel. Their animosity dated back to their unprovoked attack on the Israelites in the wilderness shortly after the Exodus, targeting the weak and stragglers ([Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8-16 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek's Attack and God's Oath")). This aggression provoked a divine oath and a perpetual command from God for Israel to "blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven" ([Deuteronomy 25:19](/deuteronomy/25-19 "Deuteronomy 25:19 - God's Command to Blot Out Amalek")). Despite this, King Saul later failed to completely obey this command, sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock ([1 Samuel 15:3-9](/1_samuel/15-3-9 "1 Samuel 15:3-9 - Saul's Incomplete Obedience Regarding Amalek")), leaving remnants. The Chronicler's mention of this final eradication occurring "in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah" ([1 Chronicles 4:41](/1_chronicles/4-41 "1 Chronicles 4:41 - Simeonites in Hezekiah's Reign")) places this event centuries after Saul's time, underscoring the long-term nature of God's justice and the eventual, certain fulfillment of His decrees, even through later generations and seemingly minor tribal actions.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Chronicles 4:43](/1_chronicles/4-43 "1 Chronicles 4:43 - Simeonite Victory and Settlement") powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of 1 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Fulfillment**, demonstrating God's unwavering resolve to execute justice against those who persistently oppose His people and His purposes. The Amalekites, as a symbol of enduring spiritual opposition, finally face their complete eradication, fulfilling a long-standing divine decree that even Saul's disobedience could not ultimately thwart. Secondly, it showcases **God's Provision for His People**. The Simeonites' practical need for land and pasture is met through this conquest, illustrating God's faithfulness in providing for the practical needs of His covenant community, often leading them to expand their territory as a result of their obedience. Lastly, the phrase "unto this day" emphasizes **Historical Continuity and Permanence**, a common Chronicler's idiom that validates the enduring reality of past events for the contemporary audience, affirming the lasting impact of God's actions and the established claims of His people to their land and heritage.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smote (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_):** From H5221, this primitive root signifies "to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)." In this context, it conveys a decisive and forceful military strike, implying a complete defeat or destruction. The use of "smote" here emphasizes the thoroughness and finality of the Simeonites' victory, leaving no doubt about the eradication of the Amalekites. It speaks to a comprehensive and unyielding act of judgment.
* **Dwelt (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** From H3427, this primitive root means "to sit down... by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry." This verb indicates that the Simeonites did not merely pass through or raid the land; they established a lasting presence. It signifies their permanent occupation and integration of the conquered territory into their tribal domain, fulfilling their need for pasture and establishing a new, enduring settlement.
* **Day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** From H3117, this word refers to "a day (as the warm hours), whether literal... or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)." In the phrase "unto this day," it functions as a critical temporal marker, an adverbial idiom. It asserts that the situation described – the Simeonites' occupation of the former Amalekite territory – remained true and observable at the time the Chronicler was writing, lending credibility and enduring relevance to the historical account for his audience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they smote the rest of the Amalekites":** This clause identifies the agents ("they," referring to the Simeonite clans detailed in the preceding verses) and their decisive action (a comprehensive military defeat). The crucial phrase "the rest of the Amalekites" signifies that this act was the final chapter in the long history of conflict, targeting the surviving remnants of this ancient, persistent enemy, ensuring their complete eradication.
* **"that were escaped":** This sub-clause further emphasizes the thoroughness of the Simeonite action. It implies that these were the last remaining individuals or groups of Amalekites who had managed to evade previous encounters or judgments, including King Saul's incomplete obedience. Now, they too were decisively dealt with, ensuring the complete and final fulfillment of the long-standing divine command against Amalek.
* **"and dwelt there":** This signifies the immediate and lasting consequence of the victory. The Simeonites did not just conquer the land; they settled and took permanent possession of it. This act fulfilled their practical need for pasture and established a lasting presence in the newly acquired territory, marking a significant expansion of their tribal domain.
* **"unto this day":** This idiomatic phrase, frequently employed by biblical authors, functions as a historical marker and a validation of the account. It affirms that the situation described – the Simeonites' enduring occupation of the former Amalekite territory – remained true and observable at the time the Chronicler was composing his work, lending historical credibility and enduring relevance to the narrative for his contemporary audience.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices in this concise yet impactful verse. It functions as a **Fulfillment Narrative**, presenting the Simeonite conquest as the culmination of a long-standing divine mandate against the Amalekites, thereby bringing a definitive closure to a significant historical and theological tension in Israel's history. The phrase "**unto this day**" is a classic **Idiom** used for historical validation, asserting the permanence and enduring reality of the described event for the Chronicler's contemporary audience. There is an implicit **Contrast** with King Saul's earlier, incomplete obedience regarding the Amalekites, highlighting God's sovereignty and the eventual, albeit delayed, triumph of His will through a different segment of His people. The entire account serves as a form of **Historical Validation**, solidifying the Simeonites' claim to this territory and demonstrating God's faithful provision and judgment across generations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The eradication of the Amalekites by the Simeonites in [1 Chronicles 4:43](/1_chronicles/4-43 "1 Chronicles 4:43 - God's Justice Fulfilled") is far more than a mere historical footnote; it is a profound theological statement on God's unwavering justice, His commitment to fulfilling His word, and His sovereign patience. The Amalekites, from their initial unprovoked attack on a vulnerable Israel in the wilderness, represented a persistent, insidious enemy of God's people, embodying a spirit of opposition to divine purposes and a rejection of God's covenant. Their final defeat underscores that God's judgments, though sometimes delayed for centuries, are ultimately sure, complete, and inescapable. This event also highlights God's faithfulness in providing for His people's needs—the Simeonites' territorial expansion was a direct answer to their need for sustenance, demonstrating that God's provision can come through the execution of His righteous decrees and the obedience of His people. It reassures the post-exilic audience of the Chronicler that God remains faithful to His promises and purposes, even when human efforts falter.

* [Exodus 17:14](/exodus/17-14 "God's Oath to Blot Out Amalek")
* [Deuteronomy 25:19](/deuteronomy/25-19 "Remember to Blot Out Amalek")
* [1 Samuel 15:2-3](/1_samuel/15-2-3 "Saul's Commission to Destroy Amalek")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While [1 Chronicles 4:43](/1_chronicles/4-43 "1 Chronicles 4:43 - Lessons from Simeonite Victory") describes a specific historical military conquest, its spiritual lessons resonate deeply for believers today. The long delay between God's initial command to blot out Amalek and its final fulfillment by the Simeonites serves as a powerful reminder of divine patience and the certainty of God's justice, even if its full manifestation takes time. This encourages us to persevere in faith, trusting that God's purposes will ultimately prevail, and that His timing is perfect. Spiritually, the Amalekites can be seen as representing persistent "enemies" in our lives—entrenched sinful patterns, spiritual strongholds, or ungodly influences that seek to hinder our walk with God and drain our spiritual vitality. Just as the Simeonites decisively "smote" the remaining Amalekites, we are called to be vigilant and persistent in dealing with spiritual opposition, seeking God's power to overcome sin and temptation, leaving no "remnant" of disobedience. Moreover, the Simeonites' need for pasture and God's provision through conquest reminds us that God is faithful to meet our needs, often in ways that require courage, obedience, and active participation in His will, trusting that He will make a way where there seems to be none.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the long delay in the fulfillment of God's judgment against Amalek, culminating in this verse, speak to our understanding of divine timing and justice in our own lives, particularly when we face seemingly unaddressed wrongs or persistent struggles?**
* **What "Amalekites" (persistent sins, spiritual strongholds, or ungodly influences) might God be calling us to decisively "smite" and eradicate from our lives today, ensuring no "remnant" is left to hinder our spiritual progress?**
* **In what ways does this account encourage us to trust in God's provision, even when our current "territory" (resources, circumstances) feels insufficient or constrained, and how might He be leading us to "possess" new ground for His glory?**

### FAQ
**Why is this brief account of Simeonites' conquest included in a genealogy?**

Answer: The Chronicler's purpose in including this historical vignette within the genealogies is multifaceted and intentional. It's not merely a dry list of names but a vibrant demonstration of God's ongoing work through His people. This account validates the Simeonites' claim to the conquered territory, showing how their need for expansion was met through divine provision and the execution of a long-standing divine judgment. It highlights the tribe's active role in fulfilling God's purposes, even if they were a lesser-known tribe compared to Judah. Furthermore, it underscores the theme of God's faithfulness in bringing His decrees to pass, even generations later, providing a sense of historical continuity and divine oversight for the Chronicler's post-exilic audience, who also needed assurance of God's enduring covenant with Israel.

**What is the significance of the phrase "unto this day"?**

Answer: "Unto this day" (Hebrew: _'ad hayyom hazzeh_) is a common biblical idiom used by historical writers to affirm the lasting reality or consequence of an event from the past up to the time of the narrative's composition. In [1 Chronicles 4:43](/1_chronicles/4-43 "1 Chronicles 4:43 - Simeonite Dwelling Confirmed"), it means that the Simeonites' permanent settlement in the former Amalekite territory remained true and observable at the time the Chronicler was writing. This phrase lends credibility and historical weight to the account, emphasizing the enduring impact of God's actions and the established territorial claims of His people, assuring the audience of the historical veracity and ongoing relevance of the events described.

**How does this account relate to King Saul's failure with Amalek?**

Answer: This Simeonite action is a direct echo and eventual fulfillment of the divine command given to King Saul in [1 Samuel 15:3](/1_samuel/15-3 "Saul's Command to Destroy Amalek") to utterly destroy the Amalekites. Saul, however, failed to fully obey, sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock, which led to his rejection as king. The event in [1 Chronicles 4:43](/1_chronicles/4-43 "1 Chronicles 4:43 - God's Will Prevails"), occurring centuries later during King Hezekiah's reign ([1 Chronicles 4:41](/1_chronicles/4-41 "1 Chronicles 4:41 - Simeonites in Hezekiah's Reign")), demonstrates that God's purposes and judgments will ultimately prevail, even if human instruments initially fail. It highlights God's sovereignty in bringing His word to pass through other means and at His appointed time, completing a long-delayed divine mandate and affirming that God's will cannot be ultimately thwarted by human disobedience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The historical victory of the Simeonites over the Amalekites, a long-standing and persistent enemy of God's people, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as the Amalekites represented a relentless, insidious foe that continually harassed Israel and opposed God's purposes, humanity faces spiritual enemies in sin, death, and Satan. The decisive "smiting" of the Amalekites by the Simeonites foreshadows Christ's complete and final triumph over these ultimate spiritual adversaries. On the cross, Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and through His resurrection, He conquered death, the last enemy ([1 Corinthians 15:26](/1_corinthians/15-26 "1 Corinthians 15:26 - Death, the Last Enemy")). Where the Simeonites secured a physical land for their people, Christ secures an eternal inheritance and spiritual "rest" for all who believe in Him, fulfilling the promise of a true and lasting dwelling place ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Rest of God's People")). His victory is not merely a historical event but an ongoing reality, ensuring that the "prince of this world" is cast out ([John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - Judgment of This World")) and that His people will ultimately dwell with Him in new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells forever ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 30:17

And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.

1 Samuel 15:7

And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah [until] thou comest to Shur, that [is] over against Egypt.

1 Samuel 15:8

And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

2 Samuel 8:12

Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

Matthew 27:8

Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

2 Chronicles 5:9

And they drew out the staves [of the ark], that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day.

Judges 1:26

And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz: which [is] the name thereof unto this day.