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.
Original Language Analysis
יָדָ֛יו
and his hands
H3027
יָדָ֛יו
and his hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
1 of 23
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
כְּבֵדִ֔ים
were heavy
H3515
כְּבֵדִ֔ים
were heavy
Strong's:
H3515
Word #:
3 of 23
heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)
וַיִּקְחוּ
and they took
H3947
וַיִּקְחוּ
and they took
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
4 of 23
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ
and put
H7760
וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ
and put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
6 of 23
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
תַחְתָּ֖יו
H8478
תַחְתָּ֖יו
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
7 of 23
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב
it under him and he sat
H3427
וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב
it under him and he sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
8 of 23
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עָלֶ֑יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֑יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְח֜וּר
and Hur
H2354
וְח֜וּר
and Hur
Strong's:
H2354
Word #:
11 of 23
chur, the name of four israelites and one midianite
תָּֽמְכ֣וּ
stayed up
H8551
תָּֽמְכ֣וּ
stayed up
Strong's:
H8551
Word #:
12 of 23
to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close
יָדָ֛יו
and his hands
H3027
יָדָ֛יו
and his hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
13 of 23
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
מִזֶּ֤ה
H2088
אֶחָ֔ד
and the other on the other side
H259
אֶחָ֔ד
and the other on the other side
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
וּמִזֶּ֣ה
H2088
אֶחָ֔ד
and the other on the other side
H259
אֶחָ֔ד
and the other on the other side
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
וַיְהִ֥י
H1961
וַיְהִ֥י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
18 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יָדָ֛יו
and his hands
H3027
יָדָ֛יו
and his hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
19 of 23
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
אֱמוּנָ֖ה
were steady
H530
אֱמוּנָ֖ה
were steady
Strong's:
H530
Word #:
20 of 23
literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
21 of 23
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Isaiah 35:3Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.Philippians 1:19For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,Hebrews 12:12Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;Ephesians 6:18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;2 Corinthians 1:11Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.1 Thessalonians 5:25Brethren, pray for us.Colossians 4:2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;Psalms 35:3Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.James 1:6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Historical Context
The battle's duration (until sunset) required sustained intercession for approximately 8-12 hours. Moses' physical limitation necessitated Aaron and Hur's support to maintain prayer throughout the battle.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Moses needing support in intercession teach about the church's mutual dependence?
- How does prayer being 'heavy' work challenge popular notions of prayer as easy or mystical?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon—Moses' fatigue reveals human limitation in intercession. The Hebrew כְּבֵדִים (k'vedim, 'heavy') indicates exhausting burden—prayer is work. The stone seat provides rest without cessation, showing that intercession requires endurance. Aaron and Hur supporting Moses' hands from both sides creates a picture of the church: believers support one another's prayer ministry. The phrase 'his hands were steady until the going down of the sun' emphasizes prevailing prayer—continuing until victory comes. This communal intercession prefigures believers who 'bear one another's burdens' (Gal 6:2) and 'pray always with all prayer' (Eph 6:18).