Exodus 17:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But Moses' hands [were] heavy; and they took a stone, and put [it] under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

Complete Jewish Bible:

However, Moshe's hands grew heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aharon and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side and the other on the other; so that his hands stayed steady until sunset.

Berean Standard Bible:

When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.

American Standard Version:

But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But Moses^{H4872}' hands^{H3027} were heavy^{H3515}; and they took^{H3947} a stone^{H68}, and put^{H7760} it under him, and he sat^{H3427} thereon; and Aaron^{H175} and Hur^{H2354} stayed up^{H8551} his hands^{H3027}, the one on the one side^{H259}, and the other on the other side^{H259}; and his hands^{H3027} were steady^{H530} until the going down^{H935} of the sun^{H8121}.

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Commentary for Exodus 17:12

1. Themes:
- **Divine Power and Human Limitations**: Exodus 17:12 illustrates the interplay between divine strength and human frailty. Moses, the leader of the Israelites, must keep his hands raised to ensure victory in battle, symbolizing dependence on God's power. However, Moses is only human and becomes physically exhausted, highlighting the need for support and the limitations of human endurance.
- **Support and Teamwork**: The verse emphasizes the importance of community and mutual aid. Aaron and Hur come to Moses' assistance, literally and figuratively supporting him by holding up his hands, demonstrating that leadership does not mean standing alone but includes the support of others.
- **Perseverance and Steadfastness**: The episode reflects the necessity of perseverance in faith and leadership. Moses' hands remain steady until sunset, symbolizing steadfastness in the face of adversity and the importance of maintaining one's focus on God's guidance and promises.

2. Historical Context:
- **The Exodus from Egypt**: This event occurs during the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. The people have witnessed numerous miracles, including the parting of the Red Sea, yet they continue to face challenges and hardships that test their faith.
- **The Battle with Amalek**: The context of Exodus 17:12 is a battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites, a nomadic tribe that attacked the Israelites in Rephidim. This battle is significant as it is the first military conflict after the Israelites' departure from Egypt, setting a precedent for their future conflicts in Canaan.
- **The Role of Moses**: As the leader appointed by God, Moses' role is both spiritual and practical. His raised hands are a symbol of prayer and reliance on God, which directly affects the outcome of the battle. This act underscores Moses' unique position as an intercessor for the people.
- **Early Leadership Structure**: The cooperation between Moses, Aaron, and Hur provides insight into the early leadership structure among the Israelites. Aaron, the high priest, and Hur, a lesser-known figure possibly of the tribe of Judah, work together to support Moses, suggesting a collaborative approach to leadership within the community.

In summary, Exodus 17:12 weaves together themes of divine reliance, human support, and perseverance against the backdrop of the Israelites' formative journey, reflecting the complexities of leadership and faith during a pivotal period in biblical history.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4872
   There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
   Transliteration: Môsheh
   Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
   Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3515
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּבֵד
   Transliteration: kâbêd
   Pronunciation: kaw-bade'
   Description: from כָּבַד; heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid); (so) great, grievous, hard(-ened), (too) heavy(-ier), laden, much, slow, sore, thick.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3947
   There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָקַח
   Transliteration: lâqach
   Pronunciation: law-kakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
   
5. Strong's Number: H68
   There are 1276 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶבֶן
   Transliteration: ʼeben
   Pronunciation: eh'-ben
   Description: from the root of בָּנָה through the meaning to build; a stone; [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s).
   
6. Strong's Number: H7760
   There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׂוּם
   Transliteration: sûwm
   Pronunciation: soom
   Description: or שִׂים; a primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3427
   There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשַׁב
   Transliteration: yâshab
   Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
   
8. Strong's Number: H175
   There are 480 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַהֲרוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼAhărôwn
   Pronunciation: a-har-one'
   Description: of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses; Aaron.
   
9. Strong's Number: H2354
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חוּר
   Transliteration: Chûwr
   Pronunciation: khoor
   Description: the same as חוּר or חוּר; Chur, the name of four Israelites and one Midianite; Hur.
   
10. Strong's Number: H8551
    There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: תָּמַךְ
    Transliteration: tâmak
    Pronunciation: taw-mak'
    Description: a primitive root; to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close; (take, up-) hold (up), maintain, retain, stay (up).
    
11. Strong's Number: H259
    There are 801 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֶחָד
    Transliteration: ʼechâd
    Pronunciation: ekh-awd'
    Description: a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together,
    
12. Strong's Number: H530
    There are 490 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֱמוּנָה
    Transliteration: ʼĕmûwnâh
    Pronunciation: em-oo-naw'
    Description: or (shortened) אֱמֻנָה; feminine of אֵמוּן; literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity; faith(-ful, -ly, -ness, (man)), set office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily.
    
13. Strong's Number: H935
    There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בּוֹא
    Transliteration: bôwʼ
    Pronunciation: bo
    Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
    
14. Strong's Number: H8121
    There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֶׁמֶשׁ
    Transliteration: shemesh
    Pronunciation: sheh'-mesh
    Description: from an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement; [phrase] east side(-ward), sun (rising), [phrase] west(-ward), window. See also בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ.