1 Chronicles 4 43

1 Chronicles 4:43 kjv

And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped, and dwelt there unto this day.

1 Chronicles 4:43 nkjv

And they defeated the rest of the Amalekites who had escaped. They have dwelt there to this day.

1 Chronicles 4:43 niv

They killed the remaining Amalekites who had escaped, and they have lived there to this day.

1 Chronicles 4:43 esv

And they defeated the remnant of the Amalekites who had escaped, and they have lived there to this day.

1 Chronicles 4:43 nlt

They destroyed the few Amalekites who had survived, and they have lived there ever since.

1 Chronicles 4 verses

1 Chronicles 4 43 Meaning

1 Chronicles 4:43 records a final and decisive victory of a remnant of the tribe of Simeon over the last surviving Amalekites in the hills of Seir. This act brought to completion the long-standing divine judgment pronounced against Amalek, securing the Simeonite presence in the newly acquired territory.

1 Chronicles 4 43 Context

This verse concludes a section of the genealogy of Simeon, primarily focused on their geographical expansion and significant military actions (1 Chron 4:24-43). The larger context of 1 Chronicles is to affirm God's continued faithfulness to Israel, emphasizing their lineage, inheritance, and God's interventions in their history, especially through the Davidic covenant and the establishment of the temple worship. Verses 39-41 describe how some Simeonite leaders, in the days of King Hezekiah of Judah, migrated southward, seeking suitable pastures for their flocks. They dispossessed the Hamites and the Cherethites living in Gedor and subsequently, as detailed in verse 43, dealt a final blow to the last remnants of the Amalekites. This historical account marks the complete fulfillment of God's ancient command to eradicate Amalek, demonstrating divine justice and confirming the security of Israel's inherited territories under God's providence, particularly during a period of spiritual revival under King Hezekiah.

1 Chronicles 4 43 Word analysis

• And they struck: (וַיַּכּוּ - wayyakku from נָכָה - nakah). This verbal form signifies a forceful, decisive, and destructive blow. In a military context, it indicates a complete and final defeat, often involving death. Here, it implies not merely a skirmish, but a thorough and intentional eradication of the enemy, highlighting the effectiveness of the Simeonite action.
• the rest of the Amalekites: (אֶת שְׁאָר הָעֲמָלֵקִי - 'et she'ar ha'amaleqi). "The rest" (she'ar) denotes a surviving remnant, suggesting that these were not the primary Amalekite forces, which had largely been broken by earlier Israelite kings. The "Amalekites" (Amaleqi) represent a deep-seated spiritual and physical foe of Israel, marked by their unprovoked attack on Israel in the wilderness (Exod 17:8-16), initiating an ongoing, divinely decreed conflict.
• who had escaped: (הַנִּמְלָטִים - hannimlatim from מָלַט - malat). This translates to "the escaped ones" or "the fugitives." It reinforces that these were not a significant standing force but scattered individuals who had evaded previous campaigns, like those led by Saul or David. Their temporary evasion ultimately came to an end in this decisive engagement in Mount Seir.
• and have lived there: (וַיֵּשְׁבוּ שָׁם - wayyeshvu sham from יָשַׁב - yashab). Literally meaning "and they sat there" or "they settled there." This indicates a permanent and secure occupation of the newly conquered territory. The Simeonite victory was not merely destructive; it led to their lasting inhabitation and possession of the former Amalekite lands, symbolizing the completion of their migration and securing of resources.
• to this day: (עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה - 'ad hayom hazzeh). A frequent narrative phrase in the Old Testament. It assures the reader that the described situation—in this case, the Simeonite presence in the former Amalekite territory and, by implication, the lasting eradication of Amalek—persisted until the time of the Chronicler's writing. This phrase authenticates the historical claim and emphasizes the enduring consequences of the event.

1 Chronicles 4 43 Bonus section

The chronicler's inclusion of this seemingly small event, a distant tribal skirmish, highlights its immense significance in the grand sweep of biblical history. It confirms the fulfillment of a long-standing divine mandate, indicating that God's word concerning judgment against evil and faithfulness to His people never returns void. The Amalekites served as an archetypal enemy of God's people, often seen as representing unyielding opposition to divine order. Their ultimate eradication is a powerful symbol of the eventual triumph of God's kingdom over all adversarial forces, both physical and spiritual. This narrative serves as an encouraging historical reminder that persistent, God-guided efforts to deal with deep-seated evils will ultimately achieve success, paving the way for God's people to dwell securely in the land He has appointed for them.

1 Chronicles 4 43 Commentary

1 Chronicles 4:43 concisely narrates the complete and final defeat of the remaining Amalekites by Simeonite leaders during the reign of King Hezekiah. This seemingly brief historical note holds immense theological weight within the biblical narrative. It marks the culmination of God's long-standing judgment and prophetic curse against Amalek, a command first given in Exodus and reiterated in Deuteronomy. While previous kings like Saul and David had inflicted significant defeats, this Chronicler's account provides the definitive and ultimate resolution to the Amalekite threat, signifying the total fulfillment of God's word regarding an adversary perpetually hostile to His people. The phrase "to this day" underscores the lasting reality of this triumph, confirming that divine judgments are executed fully and that God ensures His people are secured in their covenant blessings and inheritance once obstacles are removed. This passage, situated within the genealogies, reaffirms God's faithful orchestration of history to fulfill His redemptive purposes.