Exodus 17:11 kjv

And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

Exodus 17:11 nkjv

And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

Exodus 17:11 niv

As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.

Exodus 17:11 esv

Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.

Exodus 17:11 nlt

As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage.

Exodus 17 verses

Exodus 17 11 Meaning

Exodus 17:11 describes the direct correlation between Moses' lifted hands and Israel's success in battle against the Amalekites, and conversely, the Amalekites' prevailing when Moses' hands were lowered. This signifies that victory was not determined by Israel's own strength or military prowess, but by divine power mediated through Moses' act of intercession and faith, symbolizing dependence on God. It illustrates the critical role of spiritual leadership and sustained prayer in warfare.

Exodus 17 11 Context

Exodus 17 is situated in the wilderness journey of Israel after their miraculous escape from Egypt. The chapter immediately preceding (Ex 16) details God's provision of manna and quail, addressing Israel's hunger. Chapter 17 opens with Israel complaining about lack of water at Rephidim, prompting Moses to strike the rock at Horeb, where water miraculously flowed (Ex 17:1-7). This battle against the Amalekites (Ex 17:8-16) is the first direct military confrontation Israel faces after leaving Egypt. It marks a significant test of their faith and dependence on Yahweh in a direct combat situation. The Amalekites represent a relentless enemy, historically attacking the weak and weary, thus becoming an archetype of the persistent foes of God's people. This specific verse (17:11) focuses on the battle's ebb and flow as directly influenced by Moses' intercessory posture, contrasting military success with spiritual posture rather than material strength.

Exodus 17 11 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי - vayhi): A common Hebrew narrative marker, often signaling the unfolding of a significant event or new development in the storyline. It brings immediate attention to what follows as divinely orchestrated or important.

• when Moses (מֹשֶׁה - Mosheh): Highlights the centrality of Moses, not merely as a military commander but as the divinely appointed mediator between God and Israel, through whom God's power would flow.

• held up (הֵרִים - herim): From the Hebrew root רוּם (rum), meaning "to be high, to rise, to lift up." The Hiphil stem indicates a causative action: Moses actively "caused his hand to be lifted" or "kept his hand elevated." This denotes a deliberate, continuous act of lifting, not just a casual raising. It suggests the exertion of will and effort.

• his hand (יָדוֹ - yado): Singular in Hebrew, but in this context and reinforced by the later narrative (Aaron and Hur supporting both hands), it is understood to refer to both of Moses' hands or a general posture of outstretched arms. "Hand" often symbolizes power, authority, and agency in Hebrew. Moses' lifted hands were a symbol, an external manifestation of Israel's spiritual reliance on God and Moses' intercession. It wasn't the hands themselves that had power, but the divine connection they represented.

• that Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל - Yisra'el): God's covenant people. Their prevailing depended directly on divine action.

• prevailed (גָּבַר - gavar): Means "to be strong, to prevail, to be mighty, to conquer, to be superior." It indicates Israel gaining the upper hand, having strength or dominance over their enemy.

• and when he let down (וְהִנִּיחַ - v'hinnîaḥ): From the Hebrew root נוּחַ (nuakh), meaning "to rest, settle, cease, allow to lie down." The Hiphil stem here suggests he "caused his hand to be at rest" or "lowered his hand." It signifies a cessation of the lifting effort, implying weakness, exhaustion, or a momentary giving up.

• his hand (יָדוֹ - yado): Again, singular, indicating the lowering of the intercessory posture.

• Amalek (עֲמָלֵק - Amalek): The historical, archetypal enemy of Israel.

• prevailed (גָּבַר - gavar): The same verb as used for Israel, emphasizing the direct cause-and-effect and the shifting balance of power on the battlefield. When Moses’ hands were down, Amalek, the hostile force, gained ascendancy.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "When Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed": This establishes a clear divine principle of correlation. The spiritual act (Moses' lifted hands) directly dictates the physical outcome (Israel's victory). This is not magic, but an expression of God's working through specific means. Moses' position was one of prayer and dependence, embodying Israel's trust in God, not in their own might. This indirectly challenges pagan notions that success in battle comes from the strength of the warriors or the favor of local deities earned through ritual, asserting Yahweh's unique and ultimate power.
  • "and when he let down his hand, that Amalek prevailed": This clause directly contrasts the first, highlighting the immediate negative consequence of the cessation of this divine conduit. It powerfully illustrates that consistent, persevering dependence on God, manifested through intercession, is crucial for maintaining divine favor and victory. Any lapse or weariness can lead to the enemy gaining ground.

Exodus 17 11 Bonus section

The scene at Rephidim where Moses' hands needed to be sustained by Aaron and Hur foreshadows the concept of Christ's constant intercession for believers (Heb 7:25, Rom 8:34). Just as Israel's victory depended on Moses' upheld hands, so too does the believer's enduring spiritual victory and perseverance depend on Christ's ongoing work as the Great High Priest. This incident also sets a precedent for understanding the ongoing spiritual warfare faced by believers; our battles are ultimately won not by our might but by the strength of the Lord and consistent, communal prayer. The staff Moses held in his hand, though not mentioned in this verse, is understood to be present from the context of striking the rock and likely symbolizes God's delegated authority and power.

Exodus 17 11 Commentary

Exodus 17:11 profoundly reveals the source of true victory for God's people. It asserts that military success is not solely dependent on strategic prowess or physical might, but fundamentally rests upon God's enabling power, accessed through the faithful intercession of His appointed leader. Moses' uplifted hands were a visible symbol of total reliance on Yahweh, a posture of prayer and dependence that invited divine intervention. This act wasn't magical; it was a divinely instituted conduit for God's power. The wavering of his hands and the corresponding shift in battle underscore the human element of fatigue, yet also the necessity for unwavering spiritual vigilance and perseverance. Furthermore, the scene foreshadows the need for community support, as seen in Aaron and Hur later sustaining Moses, emphasizing that spiritual battles require collective effort and support for leadership. It serves as an eternal principle: spiritual strength and sustained prayer are prerequisites for triumph in the physical or spiritual conflicts of life.