Exodus 17:14
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כְּתֹ֨ב
Write
H3789
כְּתֹ֨ב
Write
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
5 of 19
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
זִכָּרוֹן֙
this for a memorial
H2146
זִכָּרוֹן֙
this for a memorial
Strong's:
H2146
Word #:
7 of 19
a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)
בַּסֵּ֔פֶר
in a book
H5612
בַּסֵּ֔פֶר
in a book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
וְשִׂ֖ים
and rehearse
H7760
וְשִׂ֖ים
and rehearse
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
9 of 19
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
בְּאָזְנֵ֣י
it in the ears
H241
בְּאָזְנֵ֣י
it in the ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
10 of 19
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֶמְחֶה֙
for I will utterly
H4229
אֶמְחֶה֙
for I will utterly
Strong's:
H4229
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e., grease or make fat
אֶמְחֶה֙
for I will utterly
H4229
אֶמְחֶה֙
for I will utterly
Strong's:
H4229
Word #:
14 of 19
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 #:
15 of 19
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 #:
16 of 19
a memento, abstractly recollection (rarely if ever); by implication, commemoration
עֲמָלֵ֔ק
of Amalek
H6002
עֲמָלֵ֔ק
of Amalek
Strong's:
H6002
Word #:
17 of 19
amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country
Cross References
Exodus 34:27And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.1 Samuel 30:17And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.1 Samuel 30:1And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;Numbers 24:20And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.2 Samuel 8:12Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.Job 18:17His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.Exodus 12:14And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.Exodus 13:9And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.Exodus 24:4And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
Historical Context
This written memorial became part of Torah. Amalek's destruction was commanded again in Deuteronomy 25:19 and partially fulfilled under Saul (1 Samuel 15) and David (1 Samuel 30).
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God command written record in addition to oral instruction?
- What does God 'blotting out the remembrance' of Amalek teach about final judgment on evil?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua—This is Scripture's first explicit command to write, establishing written Scripture's authority. The verb 'write' (כָּתַב, katav) and 'memorial' (זִכָּרוֹן, zikaron) show God ensures permanent record of His promises and judgments. The dual instruction—write for posterity, rehearse to Joshua—combines written and oral transmission. Joshua must know that God has decreed Amalek's utter destruction: 'I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.' This prophetic declaration spans centuries (fulfilled partly under Saul and David) and ultimately prefigures final judgment. The command to write also establishes Moses as Scripture's first human author under divine inspiration.