Exodus 17:12
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Exodus 17:12
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.
Chapter Context
Exodus 17 is a narrative with legal sections chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of worship, faith, discipleship. Written during the Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Egypt was the dominant superpower with a complex polytheistic religion and a god-king pharaoh.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-16: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Exodus and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Exodus 17:12
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.
Analysis
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).
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.
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?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Psalms 35:3, Isaiah 35:3, 2 Corinthians 1:11, Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 1:19, Colossians 4:2