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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֡ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֡ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּהָנִ֣יחַ
hath given thee rest
H5117
בְּהָנִ֣יחַ
hath given thee rest
Strong's:
H5117
Word #:
2 of 24
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
יְהוָֽה
Therefore it shall be when the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה
Therefore it shall be when the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱ֠לֹהֶיךָ
thy God
H430
אֱ֠לֹהֶיךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 24
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
מִכָּל
H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִסָּבִ֗יב
round about
H5439
מִסָּבִ֗יב
round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
8 of 24
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָֽה
Therefore it shall be when the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה
Therefore it shall be when the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱ֠לֹהֶיךָ
thy God
H430
אֱ֠לֹהֶיךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
12 of 24
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
נֹתֵ֨ן
giveth
H5414
נֹתֵ֨ן
giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
13 of 24
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
נַֽחֲלָה֙
thee for an inheritance
H5159
נַֽחֲלָה֙
thee for an inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
15 of 24
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
לְרִשְׁתָּ֔הּ
to possess
H3423
לְרִשְׁתָּ֔הּ
to possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
16 of 24
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
תִּמְחֶה֙
it that thou shalt blot out
H4229
תִּמְחֶה֙
it that thou shalt blot out
Strong's:
H4229
Word #:
17 of 24
properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e., grease or make fat
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
זֵ֣כֶר
the remembrance
H2143
זֵ֣כֶר
the remembrance
Strong's:
H2143
Word #:
19 of 24
a memento, abstractly recollection (rarely if ever); by implication, commemoration
עֲמָלֵ֔ק
of Amalek
H6002
עֲמָלֵ֔ק
of Amalek
Strong's:
H6002
Word #:
20 of 24
amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country
מִתַּ֖חַת
H8478
מִתַּ֖חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
21 of 24
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
from under heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
from under heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
22 of 24
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
Cross References
Exodus 17:14And 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.Exodus 17:16For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.Deuteronomy 9:14Let 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 Samuel 14:48And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.
Historical Context
Given circa 1406 BC for implementation after conquest and consolidation, fulfilled partially by Saul (circa 1020 BC) and David (circa 1000 BC). The command's fulfillment stretched centuries, reflecting both Israel's incomplete obedience and Amalek's persistent survival. Theologically, Amalek became a symbol of anti-God forces (Balaam grouped them with Israel's enemies in Numbers 24:20), particularly those attacking the weak. Haman's descendance from Agag (Esther 3:1) shows Saul's incomplete obedience had lasting consequences—the genocide Haman planned against Jews backfired when Mordecai and Esther intervened.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we understand God's command to destroy Amalek in light of New Testament enemy-love commands?
- What does Saul's partial obedience (sparing Agag) teach about incomplete repentance and delayed consequences?
- How does Amalek symbolize spiritual enemies Christians must 'blot out'—besetting sins, false teachings, or persecution?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about—the command's execution was deferred until Israel secured the land and established peace. God didn't require immediate revenge but patient obedience at the appointed time. That thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven—complete destruction, erasing their name and memory. Thou shalt not forget it—the paradox: remember to destroy their memory. Israel must remember the command and the reason, then execute judgment that eliminates Amalek's future.
This cherem (חֵרֶם, 'ban/devotion to destruction') applied elsewhere to Canaanites represents God's judicial prerogative over nations. Amalek's persistence in opposing Israel throughout Judges (3:13, 6:3, 7:12) validated the judgment. Saul's partial obedience (1 Samuel 15) left remnants who continued hostility. David fought Amalekites (1 Samuel 30), and they appear even in Hezekiah's time (1 Chronicles 4:43). Complete obedience to difficult commands matters—partial obedience leaves ongoing problems.