Deuteronomy 25:19

Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance to possess it, [that] thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget [it].

Therefore it shall be, when the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} hath given thee rest {H5117} from all thine enemies {H341} round about {H5439}, in the land {H776} which the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} giveth {H5414} thee for an inheritance {H5159} to possess {H3423} it, that thou shalt blot out {H4229} the remembrance {H2143} of Amalek {H6002} from under heaven {H8064}; thou shalt not forget {H7911} it.

Therefore, when ADONAI your God has given you rest from all your surrounding enemies in the land ADONAI your God is giving you as your inheritance to possess, you are to blot out all memory of 'Amalek from under heaven. Don't forget!

When the LORD your God gives you rest from the enemies around you in the land that He is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you are to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!

Therefore it shall be, when Jehovah thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 25:19 delivers a solemn and severe command from the LORD to Israel concerning their ancient enemy, Amalek. This verse instructs the Israelites, once they are settled and secure in the land God has promised them, to utterly eradicate the memory of Amalek, emphasizing that this command is not to be forgotten.

Context

This command comes at the end of a section detailing various laws and regulations for Israel, given by Moses just before their entry into the Promised Land. The immediate preceding verses (Deuteronomy 25:17-18) provide the specific historical grievance: Amalek's cowardly attack on the weary and vulnerable Israelites at Rephidim immediately after their exodus from Egypt. This was not a fair battle but an assault on the weakest among God's people, demonstrating a profound lack of fear of God and human decency. The Amalekites, descendants of Esau through his grandson (Genesis 36:12), became a perpetual enemy of Israel, symbolizing persistent opposition to God's people and His purposes.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Justice: The command highlights God's righteous judgment against unprovoked cruelty and persistent evil. Amalek's actions at Rephidim were particularly heinous, leading to a divine decree of perpetual enmity (Exodus 17:16). This verse reiterates and reinforces that judgment.
  • God's Faithfulness and Israel's Inheritance: The command is contingent upon God granting Israel "rest from all thine enemies" and establishing them in the "land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance." This underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, and Israel's responsibility once those promises are fulfilled.
  • The Nature of the Enemy: Amalek represents a particularly virulent and relentless form of opposition to God's people. The command to "blot out the remembrance" signifies a complete and decisive removal, not just a military defeat, but an erasure of their very name from history.
  • Paradox of Memory: The verse presents a powerful paradox: "thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek... thou shalt not forget it." This means while Amalek's existence and name are to be erased, the *command* to do so, and the *reason* for it, must be perpetually remembered by Israel. It serves as a constant reminder of God's justice and the severe consequences of opposing Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "blot out" is machah (מָחָה), a strong verb meaning to wipe away, erase, or obliterate. It is used elsewhere in scripture to describe wiping away tears, blotting out sin, or erasing a name from a book. This signifies a complete and utter destruction, not just of their military might, but of their very identity and memory. The word for "remembrance" is zekher (זֵכֶר), which refers to a memorial or a name by which something is remembered. The command is to erase their presence from under heaven so thoroughly that they are no longer remembered.

Practical Application

For the modern believer, this command is not to be interpreted as a literal call for ethnic cleansing. Instead, it holds profound spiritual and symbolic meaning:

  • Decisive Dealing with Sin: Amalek can symbolize persistent, insidious sin or spiritual enemies that continually seek to wear down and destroy faith. Just as Israel was to give no quarter to Amalek, believers are called to be decisive in dealing with sin and temptation, not allowing them to linger or regain strength (Romans 6:12).
  • Vigilance Against Spiritual Complacency: The command is given once Israel has "rest." This reminds us that even in times of peace and prosperity, spiritual vigilance is crucial. We must not forget the nature of our spiritual adversaries, who seek to ambush us when we are weary or complacent (Ephesians 6:11).
  • God's Justice and Holiness: The severity of the command underscores God's absolute holiness and His intolerance for persistent, unrepentant evil. It reminds us that while God is merciful, He is also just and will ultimately judge all unrighteousness.

Deuteronomy 25:19 serves as a stark reminder of God's character, His unwavering commitment to His people, and the necessity of dealing decisively with all that opposes His divine will.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 17:14 (4 votes)

    And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this [for] a memorial in a book, and rehearse [it] in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

  • 1 Samuel 14:48 (3 votes)

    And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.

  • Exodus 17:16 (3 votes)

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

  • Deuteronomy 9:14 (3 votes)

    Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.

  • 1 Chronicles 4:43 (2 votes)

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

  • Esther 9:7 (2 votes)

    And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,

  • Esther 9:10 (2 votes)

    The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.