Exodus 17:13

KJV

And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joshua {H3091} discomfited {H2522} Amalek {H6002} and his people {H5971} with the edge {H6310} of the sword {H2719}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus Y'hoshua defeated 'Amalek, putting their people to the sword.

Berean Standard Bible

So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his army with the sword.

American Standard Version

And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 17:13 culminates Israel's first major military engagement after their deliverance from Egypt, detailing Joshua's decisive victory over the Amalekites. This pivotal verse underscores the indispensable synergy between divine empowerment, channeled through Moses' intercession, and diligent human effort in securing triumph. It marks Joshua's emergence as a formidable military leader, setting the stage for his future role in leading Israel into the Promised Land, while simultaneously illustrating God's faithfulness in defending His people against unprovoked aggression.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the victorious conclusion to the narrative initiated in [Exodus 17:8](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8 - The Amalekite Attack Begins"). Following Israel's miraculous provision of water from the rock at Rephidim in [Exodus 17:1-7](/exodus/17-1 "Exodus 17:1-7 - Water from the Rock at Rephidim"), the Amalekites launched an unprovoked and cowardly attack on the weary and vulnerable rear guard of the Israelite camp. Moses, recognizing the spiritual dimension of this conflict, ascended a hilltop with Aaron and Hur, holding up his hands as a sign of dependence on God. Simultaneously, Joshua was commanded to lead the Israelite forces into physical battle. The ebb and flow of the battle directly correlated with Moses' raised or lowered hands, demonstrating that the ultimate victory was divinely orchestrated. [Exodus 17:12](/exodus/17-12 "Exodus 17:12 - Aaron and Hur Support Moses") highlights the crucial support Moses received, ensuring Israel's sustained advantage until Joshua's decisive rout of the enemy, as recorded in this culminating verse.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Amalekites were a nomadic, predatory tribe, descendants of Esau through Eliphaz ([Genesis 36:12](/genesis/36-12 "Genesis 36:12 - Amalek's Genealogy")). Their attack on Israel at Rephidim was particularly heinous because it targeted the weakest and most vulnerable among the Israelites—the stragglers, women, and children—who were exhausted from their desert journey ([Deuteronomy 25:17-18](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-18 - Remember Amalek's Attack")). This act of unprovoked aggression, coupled with their apparent disregard for God's presence among Israel, marked them as an enduring enemy of God's people. This battle was not merely a territorial dispute but a spiritual confrontation, establishing a perpetual enmity between Israel and Amalek, which God later commanded to be utterly blotted out ([Deuteronomy 25:19](/deuteronomy/25-19 "Deuteronomy 25:19 - God's Command to Blot Out Amalek")). For Israel, this was their first major military engagement as a newly liberated nation, serving as a foundational lesson in divine reliance and the necessity of human participation in God's redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **discomfited (Hebrew, _chalash'_):** The Hebrew verb חָלַשׁ (_chalash_) means "to weaken," "to prostrate," "to disarm," or "to utterly defeat." It conveys a sense of debilitating the enemy, rendering them powerless and ineffective. This is not merely a repulse or a minor setback for Amalek, but a thorough and decisive rout that significantly diminished their fighting capacity and morale. Joshua did not just push them back; he broke their strength and left them in a state of disarray and defeat.
* **edge of the sword (Hebrew, _be-phi-charev'_):** The literal translation of בְּפִי־חָרֶב (_be-phi-charev_) is "by the mouth of the sword." This vivid idiomatic expression emphasizes the direct, brutal, and decisive nature of the military engagement. It signifies a complete and unsparing victory achieved through direct combat, highlighting the physical, tangible means by which Joshua and the Israelite army executed God's will. It underscores that while divine power was paramount, human agency and the use of conventional warfare were also essential components of the victory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joshua discomfited Amalek":** This clause highlights Joshua's active and pivotal role as the military commander on the ground. Despite Moses' crucial intercession, it was Joshua who led the troops, implemented battle strategy, and directly engaged the enemy. The term "discomfited" emphasizes the totality of the defeat, signifying that Joshua, empowered by God, completely overwhelmed and incapacitated the Amalekite forces, breaking their will and ability to fight. This marks Joshua's first significant military leadership, proving his capability and obedience.
* **"and his people":** This phrase indicates that the defeat was comprehensive, extending beyond just the Amalekite leadership to include their entire fighting force. It was not a partial victory or a mere skirmish, but a thorough rout of the Amalekite nation involved in the attack. This underscores the severity of God's judgment upon Amalek for their unprovoked aggression against His chosen people, ensuring that the threat they posed was effectively neutralized for the time being.
* **"with the edge of the sword":** This final phrase specifies the means by which the victory was achieved: direct, physical combat. It reinforces that the battle, while spiritually empowered, was fought with conventional weaponry and human effort. It demonstrates the principle that divine intervention often works in conjunction with human obedience and diligent action. The "mouth of the sword" imagery powerfully conveys the destructive and decisive nature of the Israelite counter-attack, leaving no doubt about the completeness of Amalek's defeat.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Exodus 17:13, as the culmination of the battle of Rephidim, employs several potent **literary devices**. **Symbolism** is prominent, particularly in Moses' raised hands, which symbolize Israel's absolute dependence on divine power and the efficacy of intercessory prayer in spiritual warfare. The "edge of the sword" serves as a **symbol** of human agency, military might, and the tangible means by which God's will is executed in the physical realm. The entire episode functions as **foreshadowing**, specifically for Joshua's future role as Israel's military leader who would eventually lead them into the Promised Land, conquering enemies "with the edge of the sword." There is also a clear **juxtaposition** or **contrast** between the spiritual battle waged on the hilltop by Moses, Aaron, and Hur, and the physical battle fought on the plain by Joshua and the Israelite army. This highlights the dual nature of victory, requiring both spiritual reliance and physical exertion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 17:13 powerfully illustrates the profound theological truth that divine sovereignty and human responsibility are not mutually exclusive but divinely interwoven. The victory over Amalek was unequivocally God's, secured through Moses' intercession, yet it necessitated Joshua's courageous leadership and the active participation of the Israelite army. This narrative underscores the reality of spiritual warfare, where unseen forces influence earthly conflicts, and victory is ultimately contingent upon aligning with God's will through prayer and obedience. It teaches that while God fights for His people, He also calls them to engage actively in the battles He ordains, equipping them for success.

* [Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - God's Command to Erase Amalek's Memory")
* [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces")
* [2 Corinthians 10:3-5](/2_corinthians/10-3 "2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - Spiritual Warfare and Strongholds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 17:13 offers timeless principles for believers navigating the challenges of life. Just as Israel faced the Amalekites, we too encounter "Amaleks"—whether they manifest as spiritual strongholds, persistent temptations, external adversaries, or personal struggles that seek to hinder our journey of faith. This passage calls us to embrace a holistic approach to victory: combining fervent prayer and absolute dependence on God (symbolized by Moses' raised hands) with diligent effort and strategic action (represented by Joshua's sword). We are reminded that God empowers our efforts, but He rarely acts in a vacuum, expecting our active participation. Furthermore, the support of Aaron and Hur highlights the indispensable value of community, mutual encouragement, and corporate prayer. No one is meant to fight alone; we are called to bear one another's burdens and uphold one another in spiritual battle. When facing our own "Amaleks," let us engage with courage, pray with persistence, and lean on the strength of our spiritual community, trusting that the Lord of Hosts will grant the victory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Amaleks" are you currently facing in your life that require both spiritual dependence and active engagement?**
* **How effectively are you balancing prayer/reliance on God with your own diligent efforts in your current struggles?**
* **Who are the "Aarons and Hurs" in your life who support your spiritual walk, and how can you better utilize or provide that support?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to recognize God's empowerment for your "sword" to be truly effective?**

### FAQ
**Who were the Amalekites, and why was this battle so significant?**

Answer: The Amalekites were a nomadic, predatory tribe, descendants of Esau, who launched an unprovoked and cowardly attack on the weary and vulnerable Israelites shortly after their exodus from Egypt. This battle was highly significant because it was Israel's first major military engagement as a liberated nation, demonstrating God's faithfulness in defending His people. It also established the Amalekites as a perpetual enemy of God's people due to their cruel and opportunistic aggression, leading to God's later command to utterly blot out their memory ([Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remember Amalek's Attack")).

**What was the spiritual significance of Moses' raised hands during the battle?**

Answer: Moses' raised hands were a powerful symbol of Israel's absolute dependence on God for victory. When his hands were raised, Israel prevailed; when they dropped, Amalek gained the upper hand. This demonstrated that the battle was ultimately God's, and human effort alone was insufficient. It underscored the critical role of intercessory prayer and spiritual alignment in securing divine favor and triumph in both physical and spiritual conflicts. The support from Aaron and Hur in holding up Moses' hands further emphasized the importance of corporate prayer and mutual support within the community of faith ([Exodus 17:12](/exodus/17-12 "Exodus 17:12 - Aaron and Hur Support Moses")).

**Why is Joshua highlighted in this verse, and what does it reveal about his leadership?**

Answer: Joshua is highlighted because this battle marks his emergence as Israel's primary military commander. While Moses provided spiritual leadership and intercession, Joshua was the one who directly led the forces on the ground, implementing strategy and engaging in physical combat. This verse reveals Joshua's courage, obedience, and strategic capability, showcasing his readiness for the future role God had prepared for him—leading Israel into the Promised Land and conquering its inhabitants ([Joshua 1:1-9](/joshua/1-1 "Joshua 1:1-9 - God's Commission to Joshua")). It demonstrates that divine victory often involves both spiritual power and capable human leadership.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The victory over Amalek in Exodus 17:13, achieved through the combined efforts of Moses' intercession and Joshua's leadership, profoundly foreshadows the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as Moses stood as Israel's intercessor, holding up his hands, Christ serves as our ultimate High Priest, continually interceding for us before the Father ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). His outstretched arms on the cross represent the ultimate act of divine intervention, securing victory over the greatest "Amalek"—sin, death, and the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). Furthermore, Joshua, whose name is the Hebrew equivalent of "Jesus," serves as a type of Christ. Joshua led Israel into the physical promised land, conquering their enemies "with the edge of the sword"; similarly, Jesus, our true Joshua, leads us into the spiritual rest and inheritance of God's kingdom, having already discomfited our ultimate spiritual adversaries through His decisive victory ([Hebrews 4:8-10](/hebrews/4-8 "Hebrews 4:8-10 - Jesus, Our True Rest")). Through Christ, believers are empowered to overcome spiritual battles, not by their own might, but by the power of His Spirit and the spiritual weaponry He provides ([Ephesians 6:10-18](/ephesians/6-10 "Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Armor of God")), ultimately participating in His triumph over every foe, culminating in the final and eternal defeat of all enemies under His feet ([1 Corinthians 15:25-26](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25-26 - Christ's Reign Until All Enemies Are Subdued")).

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.