Deuteronomy 25:17

KJV

Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;

KJV (with Strong's)

Remember {H2142} what Amalek {H6002} did {H6213} unto thee by the way {H1870}, when ye were come forth {H3318} out of Egypt {H4714};

Complete Jewish Bible

"Remember what 'Amalek did to you on the road as you were coming out of Egypt,

Berean Standard Bible

Remember what the Amalekites did to you along your way from Egypt,

American Standard Version

Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way as ye came forth out of Egypt;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 25:17 issues a solemn command to Israel: to remember the treacherous act committed by Amalek against them during their vulnerable journey out of Egypt. This verse serves as a crucial historical reminder, laying the groundwork for a subsequent divine mandate concerning Amalek, emphasizing the lasting impact of their unprovoked malice and the importance of corporate memory for God's covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 25 is part of Moses' final discourse to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. This chapter, like much of Deuteronomy, reiterates and expands upon various laws and commands previously given at Mount Sinai, serving as a comprehensive review and reinforcement of the Mosaic Covenant. Verses 17-19 form a distinct unit, specifically addressing the unique and grave command concerning Amalek. Its placement immediately following a series of civil and moral statutes (e.g., just weights and measures, gleaning laws) highlights the profound spiritual and historical significance of Amalek's act, elevating it beyond a mere tribal conflict to a matter of divine judgment and covenant fidelity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command in this verse refers directly to the unprovoked attack by Amalek on the weary and vulnerable Israelite stragglers at Rephidim, as recorded in [Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek's Attack on Israel"). This occurred shortly after Israel's miraculous liberation from Egypt and their crossing of the Red Sea. The Amalekites, descendants of Esau (cf. [Genesis 36:12](/genesis/36-12 "Genesis 36:12 - Amalek's Genealogy")), were a nomadic, predatory people known for their opportunistic aggression. Their attack was particularly heinous because it targeted the weakest members of the Israelite camp—the exhausted, the elderly, and the infirm—demonstrating a profound lack of mercy and a direct affront to God's chosen people under divine protection. This act violated even the customary rules of ancient warfare, which often spared the non-combatants.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Remembrance (Heb. _zakhar_)**, which is central to Deuteronomic theology. Remembering past events, especially God's mighty acts and the challenges faced by Israel, is not merely historical recall but an active engagement that shapes present obedience and future action. Secondly, it introduces the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**. Amalek's unprovoked malice warrants a unique and severe divine judgment, setting the stage for the command in [Deuteronomy 25:19](/deuteronomy/25-19 "Deuteronomy 25:19 - Blot Out Amalek's Remembrance") to "blot out the remembrance of Amalek." This highlights God's unwavering commitment to defending His covenant people and eradicating pervasive evil. Lastly, Amalek often serves as a symbol of **Persistent Opposition**, representing an insidious and archetypal enemy that continually opposes God's people and His redemptive purposes throughout biblical history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remember (Heb. זָכַר, _zakhar_):** This verb implies far more than a simple cognitive recollection of facts. In the biblical context, _zakhar_ denotes an active, intentional engagement with the past that demands a response in the present and future. It carries the weight of covenant obligation and faithfulness, requiring Israel to internalize the historical lesson of Amalek's treachery and to act accordingly. It's a call to keep the memory alive as a basis for future action.
* **Amalek (Heb. עֲמָלֵק, _‘Amaleq_):** The name identifies a specific tribal group, descendants of Esau through Eliphaz (cf. [Genesis 36:12](/genesis/36-12 "Genesis 36:12 - Amalek's Genealogy")). However, in this context, "Amalek" also functions as a symbol of an archetypal enemy. Their character was defined by opportunistic aggression, a lack of mercy, and a fundamental opposition to God's people and, by extension, to God Himself. Their attack on the weakest of Israel demonstrates their malicious nature.
* **by the way (Heb. בַּדֶּרֶךְ, _badderekh_):** This phrase specifies the vulnerable context of the attack. It emphasizes that Amalek struck Israel when they were in transit, weary, and exposed in the wilderness. This detail highlights Amalek's cowardice and malice, choosing to attack when Israel was least prepared and most dependent on divine protection, rather than engaging in honorable combat.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Remember what Amalek did unto thee":** This opening imperative is a direct, solemn command from Moses, underscoring the gravity and lasting significance of Amalek's act. It is not a suggestion but a divine mandate for Israel to maintain a corporate, active memory of this specific historical injustice, which is foundational for the subsequent command in [Deuteronomy 25:19](/deuteronomy/25-19 "Deuteronomy 25:19 - Blot Out Amalek's Remembrance").
* **"by the way":** This phrase precisely locates the circumstances of the attack. It occurred during Israel's vulnerable wilderness journey, when they were exhausted and strung out. This detail emphasizes Amalek's particularly cruel and cowardly strategy of targeting the stragglers and the weak at the rear of the camp, revealing a profound lack of honor and mercy.
* **"when ye were come forth out of Egypt;":** This clause anchors the event to a pivotal moment in Israel's history—immediately following their miraculous liberation from slavery and their experience of God's powerful deliverance at the Red Sea. The attack thus represents not merely a tribal skirmish but a direct affront to God's redemptive work and His newly formed nation, challenging His divine protection and provision in the most direct way possible.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood** ("Remember"), which immediately establishes the gravity and non-negotiable nature of the command, demanding active engagement from the audience. It functions as a concise **Historical Allusion**, referencing a well-known and deeply significant event (the attack in Exodus 17) without needing to recount all its details, thereby assuming and reinforcing the audience's shared national narrative and the profound impact of Amalek's treachery. Furthermore, this verse serves as a crucial act of **Foreshadowing**, preparing the audience for the more severe and unique command in [Deuteronomy 25:19](/deuteronomy/25-19 "Deuteronomy 25:19 - Blot Out Amalek's Remembrance") to "blot out the remembrance of Amalek." The act of remembering becomes the necessary prelude and justification for this future divine retribution. Finally, Amalek, through this and subsequent biblical narratives, acquires **Symbolism**, coming to represent an archetypal enemy of God's people—insidious, persistent, and fundamentally opposed to God's purposes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The command to "remember what Amalek did" is deeply rooted in Deuteronomic theology, which emphasizes the importance of corporate memory for covenant faithfulness. This remembrance is not merely an intellectual exercise but a call to acknowledge God's justice and the persistent nature of evil that opposes His people. Amalek's unprovoked attack on the weakest of Israel, immediately after their divine liberation, was an act of profound malice and a direct challenge to God's sovereignty. This act warranted a unique and severe divine judgment, underscoring God's commitment to defending His covenant people and eradicating pervasive evil. The memory serves as a perpetual reminder of the spiritual battle and the need for vigilance against those who would undermine God's purposes and harm His people.

* [Exodus 17:8](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8 - Amalek Attacks Israel")
* [Deuteronomy 25:19](/deuteronomy/25-19 "Deuteronomy 25:19 - Blot Out Amalek's Remembrance")
* [1 Samuel 15:2](/1_samuel/15-2 "1 Samuel 15:2 - God's Command to Saul Against Amalek")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 25:17 transcends a mere historical footnote; it serves as a profound spiritual lesson for believers today. Just as Israel was commanded to maintain a vigilant memory of Amalek's insidious attack, we are called to be acutely aware of the persistent spiritual forces that seek to undermine our faith and hinder God's purposes in our lives. This involves recognizing the subtle and overt ways sin, temptation, and worldly ideologies attempt to wear down the weary and vulnerable among us. Remembering God's past faithfulness and His commitment to justice empowers us to stand firm, to contend against evil, and to protect the weakest members of the community. It reminds us that our spiritual journey is not without adversaries, but also that God is our ultimate defender and avenger, who will ultimately bring justice to all forms of malicious opposition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Amaleks" or persistent spiritual oppositions do you identify in your own life or in the church today?**
* **How does remembering God's past acts of deliverance and justice strengthen your faith in present struggles?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and as a community, protect the "weary and vulnerable" among us from spiritual attack?**

### FAQ

**Why was Amalek's act considered so heinous by God?**

Answer: Amalek's act was considered heinous for several reasons. First, it was an unprovoked attack on a people who had just been miraculously delivered by God from Egypt and were under His direct protection. Second, they specifically targeted the weakest and most vulnerable members of the Israelite camp – the stragglers, the weary, and the infirm (as explicitly stated in [Deuteronomy 25:18](/deuteronomy/25-18 "Deuteronomy 25:18 - Amalek's Attack on the Weak")). This demonstrated a profound lack of mercy and a cowardly, opportunistic malice. Third, it was a direct affront to God's honor and His covenant with Israel, challenging His power and presence among His people. This act, therefore, was not merely a military skirmish but an act of spiritual defiance against the Lord himself.

**Does this command to "remember" imply a perpetual hatred or call to violence for believers today?**

Answer: No, the command to "remember" Amalek in [Deuteronomy 25:17](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17 - Remember Amalek's Deed") and the subsequent command to "blot out" their remembrance in [Deuteronomy 25:19](/deuteronomy/25-19 "Deuteronomy 25:19 - Blot Out Amalek's Remembrance") must be understood within its specific historical, theological, and covenantal context. This was a unique divine judgment against a specific nation that had demonstrated persistent, malicious opposition to God's redemptive purposes for Israel. For believers today, this passage is not a call to literal physical violence against any ethnic group. Instead, Amalek serves as a symbolic representation of persistent, insidious evil and spiritual opposition (e.g., sin, the flesh, demonic forces) that seeks to undermine God's people and His kingdom. The "remembering" then becomes a call to spiritual vigilance, discernment, and active resistance against such spiritual adversaries, as taught in passages like [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 25:17, with its command to remember Amalek's insidious attack, finds its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual transformation in Christ. Amalek, as an archetypal enemy, symbolizes the persistent forces of sin, death, and the devil that relentlessly oppose God's people and His redemptive plan. Just as Israel was called to remember and ultimately contend with this physical foe, so too are believers called to recognize and resist the spiritual adversaries that seek to wear down the weary and vulnerable. Christ's life, death, and resurrection represent the definitive "blotting out" of these ultimate enemies. Through His triumph on the cross, Jesus disarmed the principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). His victory ensures that the "remembrance" of these spiritual Amaleks will ultimately be eradicated, culminating in the final defeat of death and sin ([1 Corinthians 15:26](/1_corinthians/15-26 "1 Corinthians 15:26 - The Last Enemy, Death")). Thus, Christ is the true Warrior who has defeated the ultimate enemies of God's people, establishing a kingdom where such malicious opposition will no longer exist ([Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - The Devil Thrown into the Lake of Fire")).

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

Exodus 17:8

¶ Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

Exodus 17:16

For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn [that] the LORD [will have] war with Amalek from generation to generation.

Numbers 25:17

Vex the Midianites, and smite them:

Numbers 25:18

For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.

Numbers 24:20

And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek [was] the first of the nations; but his latter end [shall be] that he perish for ever.