Deuteronomy 25 17

Deuteronomy 25:17 kjv

Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;

Deuteronomy 25:17 nkjv

"Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt,

Deuteronomy 25:17 niv

Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 25:17 esv

"Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt,

Deuteronomy 25:17 nlt

"Never forget what the Amalekites did to you as you came from Egypt.

Deuteronomy 25 verses

Deuteronomy 25 17 Meaning

Deuteronomy chapter 25, verse 17, commands the people of Israel to deeply and actively remember the unprovoked, cruel act committed by Amalek against them as they journeyed out of Egypt. This is not merely an act of recalling historical fact, but an imperative to retain the memory of their adversary's treachery and insolence towards God's people during their most vulnerable state.

Deuteronomy 25 17 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 25 is part of Moses' farewell speeches to Israel, reiterating the laws and statutes of God before they enter the Promised Land. This chapter covers a range of socio-economic and ethical laws, including regulations for legal disputes, gleaning, property boundaries, and just weights and measures. Verses 17-19, specifically, form an excursus dealing with the singular and intense command concerning Amalek. It breaks from the preceding domestic laws to remind Israel of a profound historical incident that carries significant spiritual and theological weight. It emphasizes Israel's divine commission and the unique nature of Amalek's unprovoked, cowardly attack on the vulnerable. This memory serves as a foundational call to vigilance and an understanding of divine judgment against ungodly hostility towards God's chosen people.

Deuteronomy 25 17 Word analysis

• Remember (Hebrew: זָכוֹר - Zakhor): This word carries profound theological weight. It means much more than simple intellectual recall; it implies an active, intentional engagement with the past that shapes present and future action. In a covenantal context, zakhor often entails an obligation to act in light of what is remembered, to ensure a truth or a command is not merely recalled but lived out. It signifies a profound, deeply etched memory that must influence national consciousness and policy.

• What Amalek did to you (Hebrew: אֵת אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה לְךָ עֲמָלֵק - et asher asah lekha Amalek): This phrase highlights the specific action and the perpetrator. "Amalek" refers to the descendants of Esau's grandson (Gen 36:12). Their action was uniquely wicked, unprovoked, and without regard for God. Their attack targeted the most vulnerable in Israel, not warriors (Deut 25:18).

• On the way as you came out of Egypt (Hebrew: בַּדֶּרֶךְ בְּצֵאתְכֶם מִמִּצְרָיִם - baderekh betzetkhem mimitzrayim): This specifies the vulnerable context of the attack. Israel was newly freed slaves, navigating a hostile wilderness, weary, unorganized, and yet under divine protection. Amalek's act was thus a direct challenge to God's providence and an attempt to thwart His deliverance. It underscores the malicious timing and the lack of compassion.

• Word-group Analysis:

  • "Remember what Amalek did to you": This phrase combines the strong imperative to "remember" with the precise object of that memory: the heinous act of Amalek. It creates a lasting moral obligation on the nation to understand and respond to the unique enmity displayed by Amalek. The memory is active and implies a divine command for ongoing vigilance and a future response.
  • "On the way as you came out of Egypt": This highlights the moment of extreme vulnerability and the providential context. Israel had just experienced divine salvation from Egypt, showcasing God's power and faithfulness. Amalek's attack at this juncture demonstrates a complete disregard for God's might and the sanctity of His redeemed people. This specific detail defines the unparalleled audacity and malice of Amalek's aggression.

Deuteronomy 25 17 Bonus Section

The perpetual nature of the conflict with Amalek, as declared in Exodus 17:16 ("The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation"), signifies a struggle not just against a historical people but against a spiritual principle of rebellion and antagonism toward God's chosen. Amalek serves as a prophetic type of the ultimate adversary of God's kingdom. This memory of Amalek also highlights the critical importance of covenant obedience; Israel's success or failure against this enemy was directly tied to their faithfulness to God (e.g., Saul's partial obedience versus David's thorough victory). This also underlines that ignoring or failing to decisively deal with this archetypal evil can have long-lasting, detrimental consequences for God's people, as seen with Haman, an Agagite (a potential descendant of Amalek's king Agag), attempting to annihilate the Jews centuries later.

Deuteronomy 25 17 Commentary

Deuteronomy 25:17 is a stark reminder to Israel, and to believers throughout time, that evil exists in a form that is unprovoked, malicious, and fundamentally hostile to God and His people. The command to "remember" Amalek's deed goes beyond historical fact; it’s an institutional memory meant to cultivate spiritual discernment and zeal for God's justice. Amalek embodies an archetype of ungodly opposition – cruel, cowardly, striking at the weak, and without fear of God. This particular memory served to explain the later, unique command in verse 19 to "blot out the remembrance of Amalek," making their specific case distinct from other tribal enemies. It underscored that there are spiritual enemies whose very existence poses an ongoing threat to the purity and purpose of God's covenant people. The incident became a theological touchstone for God's enduring battle against those who directly oppose His sovereignty and His redemptive plan, reminding Israel to always be spiritually vigilant and to align with God's justice.