Exodus 17:10

So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

So Joshua {H3091} did {H6213} as Moses {H4872} had said {H559} to him, and fought {H3898} with Amalek {H6002}: and Moses {H4872}, Aaron {H175}, and Hur {H2354} went up {H5927} to the top {H7218} of the hill {H1389}.

Y'hoshua did as Moshe had told him and fought with 'Amalek. Then Moshe, Aharon and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Joshua did as Moses had instructed him and fought against the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Commentary

Exodus 17:10 marks a pivotal moment in the Israelites' wilderness journey, detailing the initial actions taken in their first major military conflict after leaving Egypt. This verse sets the scene for the unique battle against the Amalekites, highlighting key figures and their crucial roles.

Context

Following the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea and the provision of manna and water from the rock, the Israelites found themselves at Rephidim. Here, they were unexpectedly attacked by the Amalekites, a nomadic people descended from Esau, who preyed on the weary and straggling members of the Israelite camp (Deuteronomy 25:17-18). Moses, recognizing the immediate need for both physical defense and spiritual support, commissions Joshua to lead the fighting while he ascends a nearby hill with Aaron and Hur.

Key Themes

  • Leadership and Delegation: This verse introduces Joshua, Moses' aide, as a military commander. It's his first significant appearance leading the people in battle, demonstrating Moses' wisdom in delegating authority and preparing a successor.
  • Obedience: Joshua's immediate and unwavering obedience to Moses' command is central. He "did as Moses had said to him," indicating the trust and discipline necessary for effective leadership and successful outcomes in the face of adversity.
  • Dual Nature of Warfare: The verse subtly introduces the concept that victory is not solely dependent on physical might. While Joshua leads the physical battle, Moses' ascent to the hill with Aaron and Hur foreshadows the crucial spiritual dimension of the conflict, which becomes explicitly evident in the subsequent verses (Exodus 17:11-12).
  • The Role of Support: Moses brings Aaron and Hur with him, hinting at the importance of communal support and intercession, which prove vital for sustaining spiritual effort during challenging times.

Linguistic Insights

The name Joshua (Hebrew: יְהוֹשׁוּגַ, Yehoshua) means "The Lord is salvation" or "Yahweh saves." This is highly significant given his role in leading Israel to victory and eventually into the Promised Land, foreshadowing the salvific work of Jesus (whose Greek name is equivalent to Joshua).

Practical Application

Exodus 17:10 offers several timeless lessons for believers:

  • Balanced Approach: When facing challenges, we are called to engage both practically (like Joshua fighting in the valley) and spiritually (like Moses interceding on the hill). Our diligent effort on the ground must be coupled with fervent prayer and reliance on divine help.
  • Importance of Support Systems: Just as Moses needed Aaron and Hur to uphold his hands, we benefit greatly from spiritual friends and community who can support us in our struggles and prayers (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
  • Obedience to God-Given Authority: Joshua's quick obedience serves as a powerful model for responding to divine instruction and delegated leadership, demonstrating that prompt action based on faith is crucial for overcoming obstacles.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 24:14

    And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur [are] with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them.

  • Exodus 31:2

    See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:

  • Exodus 17:12

    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.

  • Joshua 11:15

    ΒΆ As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.

  • John 2:5

    His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do [it].

  • Matthew 28:20

    Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

  • John 15:14

    Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
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