Exodus 17:11

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהָיָ֗ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָרִ֥ים

H7311

held up

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

מֹשֶׁ֛ה

H4872

And it came to pass when Moses

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

יָד֖וֹ

H3027

his hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְגָבַ֥ר

H1396

prevailed

to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

H3478

that Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְכַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָנִ֛יחַ

H5117

and when he let down

to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l

#10

יָד֖וֹ

H3027

his hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#11

וְגָבַ֥ר

H1396

prevailed

to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently

#12

עֲמָלֵֽק׃

H6002

Amalek

amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Exodus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

Related Resources

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People

Moses