Exodus 17:10 kjv

So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Exodus 17:10 nkjv

So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Exodus 17:10 niv

So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.

Exodus 17:10 esv

So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Exodus 17:10 nlt

So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill.

Exodus 17 verses

Exodus 17 10 Meaning

Exodus 17:10 describes the immediate implementation of Moses' command to Joshua. It shows Joshua taking his designated role as a military leader and engaging in battle against the Amalekites. Simultaneously, it reveals Moses, accompanied by Aaron and Hur, ascending a prominent hill to observe the battle and presumably engage in spiritual intercession. The verse sets the scene for the interplay between human action and divine support necessary for victory.

Exodus 17 10 Context

Exodus 17:10 is part of the Israelites' journey from the Red Sea towards Mount Sinai. The immediate preceding events describe the people's bitter complaints about lack of water at Rephidim (Exo 17:1-7), leading to God miraculously providing water from the rock. This highlights their continuous dependence on God's provision. Immediately after this provision, Amalek launched an unprovoked attack on the weary Israelites. This was Israel's first significant military conflict after their Exodus, introducing the crucial theme of warfare under God's guidance. The battle at Rephidim is significant as it demonstrates how divine victory is achieved through a combination of human effort (Joshua fighting) and spiritual intercession (Moses praying). Historically, the Amalekites were a fierce, nomadic desert tribe, descendants of Esau, known for preying on the weak. Their attack was particularly malicious as they targeted the stragglers and infirm among Israel, inciting God's eternal enmity.

Exodus 17 10 Word analysis

• So Joshua:
  • So: Signifies direct consequence and immediate obedience to Moses' preceding command (Exo 17:9).
  • Joshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, Yehoshua): Meaning "The Lord is salvation" or "Yahweh saves."
    • First instance of Joshua in a significant leadership role beyond being Moses' aide.
    • His name itself is prophetic, hinting at God's deliverance through him.
    • Foreshadows Jesus (also Yeshua in Hebrew), who ultimately brings spiritual salvation.
• did as Moses had said to him:
  • Highlights Joshua's immediate and unquestioning obedience to divinely appointed authority.
  • Emphasizes military discipline and chain of command under God's covenant.
  • Shows a contrast with the people's prior grumbling and disobedience (Exo 17:1-7).
• and fought: (וַיִּלָּחֶם, vayyilāḥem)
  • Implies active and direct military engagement. It was not a passive observation but a vigorous conflict.
  • Signals the transition from peaceful travel and divine provision to necessary physical confrontation against an enemy.
• with Amalek: (עֲמָלֵק, ‘Amaleq)
  • Descendants of Esau (Gen 36:12), they became perpetual enemies of Israel.
  • Their attack was cowardly, targeting the weak and straggling at the rear (Deut 25:17-18).
  • Symbolizes persistent opposition, often understood in spiritual warfare as the "flesh" or any insidious force hindering God's people.
  • This conflict initiated an enduring divine command for their eventual eradication.
• and Moses, Aaron, and Hur:
  • Moses: The primary leader, prophet, and intercessor. Represents divine authority and spiritual dependence.
  • Aaron: Moses' brother, the High Priest. Represents priestly intercession and ritual purity.
  • Hur: A less-known figure, yet significant. His presence underscores community support for leadership.
    • Later involved with Aaron in caring for the people while Moses was on Sinai (Exo 24:14).
    • Jewish tradition often identifies him as the husband of Miriam.
    • Represents a figure of reliable aid and administrative support.
  • This trio embodies a united front of spiritual leadership and communal support crucial for the victory on the ground.
• went up: (עָלוּ, ‘alu)
  • Implies intentional ascent to a higher position.
  • Symbolically points towards elevation above the mundane, closer to the divine.
  • Provides a physical vantage point to oversee the battle.
• to the top of the hill:
  • A place of elevated vantage point, necessary for observing the unfolding battle.
  • Symbolically, a place of spiritual retreat, prayer, and encounter with God. Many key biblical events happen on mountains/hills (Sinai, Carmel, Sermon on the Mount, Transfiguration).
  • Signifies a deliberate positioning for spiritual intervention alongside physical battle.

• "So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek":
  • Illustrates active obedience to leadership for military engagement. This highlights a necessary combination of faith (following divine command through Moses) and works (engaging in battle).
  • It sets Joshua as a type of military leader operating under prophetic guidance, contrasting with later kings who sometimes acted independently.
• "and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill":
  • Establishes the complementary nature of warfare: physical combat on the plain supported by spiritual warfare/intercession from a high place.
  • Emphasizes the corporate aspect of leadership and support – Moses isn't alone; he has the aid of Aaron and Hur for prayer and physical support. This speaks to the need for community in ministry and trials.

Exodus 17 10 Bonus section

• The Power of Collective Support: The inclusion of Aaron and Hur not only signifies their individual roles but underscores the importance of communal support in upholding leadership during critical times. Moses, though a powerful figure, was still human and needed practical help, emphasizing interdependence within the community of faith.
• A Prototype for Spiritual Warfare: The conflict with Amalek transcends a mere historical battle. It becomes a foundational prototype for spiritual warfare (Eph 6:12), where unseen forces or internal struggles ("flesh") perpetually oppose God's people. The victory, therefore, requires both active resistance (Joshua fighting) and spiritual power (Moses praying).
• Significance of the Hill: Beyond a strategic viewpoint, the "top of the hill" carries symbolic weight as a place where Heaven and Earth often meet in biblical narrative. It suggests a sacred space chosen for direct communion with God, setting the stage for the dramatic display of divine intervention through Moses' raised hands.
• Joshua's Inaugural Moment: This battle marks Joshua's formal introduction as a military commander, laying the groundwork for his future role as Moses' successor in leading Israel into the Promised Land. His ready obedience establishes his character and suitability for such a divine calling.

Exodus 17 10 Commentary

Exodus 17:10 presents a pivotal moment, orchestrating the synergy between human action and divine power in the face of adversity. Joshua's immediate obedience on the battlefield signifies the essential human commitment to the task. His direct confrontation with Amalek is not presented as an independent act of military genius, but rather as a direct response to Moses' instruction, itself a divine directive. Simultaneously, Moses, the prophetic leader, withdraws to a hill with his support team—Aaron and Hur—to engage in intercessory prayer. This physical separation and vertical ascent illustrate the spiritual dimension underlying the earthly conflict. The battle on the plains, waged by Joshua, is thus inseparable from the battle of faith and intercession occurring on the mountaintop. This verse profoundly demonstrates that victory is not achieved by human might alone but is fundamentally enabled and sustained by faithful obedience and constant, supported reliance on God through prayer.