Exodus 17:12 kjv

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.

Exodus 17:12 nkjv

But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

Exodus 17:12 niv

When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up?one on one side, one on the other?so that his hands remained steady till sunset.

Exodus 17:12 esv

But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

Exodus 17:12 nlt

Moses' arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.

Exodus 17 verses

Exodus 17 12 Meaning

Exodus 17:12 describes how Moses, with weary arms, was physically supported by Aaron and Hur during the battle against Amalek at Rephidim. They placed a stone under him for him to sit on, and then held up his hands on either side, ensuring his hands remained steady and elevated until the battle concluded at sunset, thereby securing victory for Israel. This verse signifies the critical role of sustained intercession, community support, and endurance in spiritual warfare, highlighting human weakness requiring divine enablement and communal strength.

Exodus 17 12 Context

Exodus chapter 17 depicts Israel's continued journey through the wilderness after crossing the Red Sea. They face two major challenges: a lack of water at Rephidim (Exod 17:1-7) and the unprovoked attack by Amalek (Exod 17:8-16). The water from the rock highlights God's miraculous provision despite Israel's complaining. Immediately following this, the battle with Amalek introduces the theme of spiritual warfare and the need for active engagement. Moses ascending the hill to intercede, rather than directly fighting, positions him as a spiritual leader. The entire episode emphasizes dependence on God for both sustenance and victory, showcasing Moses' unique role and the collective responsibility of the community. Historically, Amalek represents a persistent, treacherous enemy, acting as an early and foundational opposition to Israel, highlighting the ongoing spiritual struggle throughout their history.

Exodus 17 12 Word analysis

• "But": Connects this new phase of the narrative to the previous, indicating a shift from a test of provision to a test of conflict.
• "Moses' hands were heavy": Hebrew kəbēḏîm (כְּבֵדִים). Signifies extreme fatigue, weightiness, or weariness. In the context of holding up hands in prayer (a posture for supplication), it highlights physical exhaustion impeding spiritual duty. It underscores human limitation and the demanding nature of sustained intercession.
• "and they took a stone": Practical and immediate action to provide stability and support for Moses, addressing his physical need. The stone signifies a firm foundation.
• "and put it under him, and he sat thereon": This further emphasizes physical exhaustion, making standing unsustainable for extended periods. Sitting allows for sustained focus on the task of holding up his hands.
• "and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands": Hebrew tāmḵû (תָּמְכוּ) meaning "supported," "sustained," or "held up." Aaron was Moses' brother and the designated high priest. Hur is a less known figure, often identified as Miriam's husband or the grandfather of Bezaleel (Exod 31:2), signifying a prominent leader in the community. Their joint action highlights the crucial role of co-laborers and trusted companions in supporting leadership and the work of God. It's a testament to communal responsibility.
• "the one on the one side, and the other on the other side": Specifies the equal and bilateral nature of the support, indicating a complete and balanced sustaining effort. It illustrates unity and collective purpose.
• "and his hands were steady": Hebrew ʾĕmūnāh (אֱמוּנָה), related to "faith" or "faithfulness." Here, it specifically denotes firmness, steadiness, or stability. The use of this word carries theological weight beyond mere physical stability; it implies that the firmness of Moses' hands reflected and enabled the faithfulness and victory of God through that intercession. It links the physical act to a spiritual quality—unwavering commitment or trust.
• "until the going down of the sun": Signifies the full duration of the battle. This implies prolonged effort, perseverance, and completion. The victory was not instantaneous but required sustained effort until the very end.

Words-group Analysis

• "Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone...and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands...": This sequence paints a vivid picture of human weakness needing practical, tangible support. It teaches that even the most devout and powerful intercessor cannot always carry the burden alone and needs the assistance of others in the community to persevere in their task. It is a humble depiction of leadership needing aid.
• "his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.": This phrase captures the essence of perseverance. The ʾĕmūnāh of his hands implies an unwavering, persistent, and faithful posture that was directly correlated with Israel's victory. The sustained duration "until the going down of the sun" underscores that spiritual battles are often long and require unflagging commitment, and victory often comes after enduring.

Exodus 17 12 Bonus section

• The battle against Amalek is not just a historical event but carries symbolic weight throughout biblical narrative. Amalek attacked Israel from the rear, targeting the weakest and weary, signifying the treacherous, persistent, and insidious nature of spiritual enemies. This episode becomes a foundational command for Israel to remember and utterly blot out Amalek (Exod 17:14; Deut 25:17-19), illustrating the necessity of decisive victory against forces hostile to God's people and His covenant.
• The placement of a "stone" under Moses subtly points to Christ, the rock of stability and support for believers, both physically and spiritually. Moses, physically sitting on the rock, mirrors spiritual reliance on Christ for strength and steadfastness in intercession.
• The narrative serves as a reminder that visible leaders perform their functions best when supported by prayer and active assistance from the community. A leader's anointing or calling does not negate the human need for practical and spiritual help.

Exodus 17 12 Commentary

Exodus 17:12 powerfully illustrates principles vital for spiritual life and leadership. Moses' weariness underscores human frailty, even in divinely appointed tasks. His lifting of hands represented an act of intercession and reliance on God for victory, signifying that ultimate success in spiritual warfare is not by human might but by divine empowerment accessed through prayer. The sagging of his hands highlights that human endurance is limited, even for spiritual giants. This physical reality becomes a profound lesson: leaders, even when engaged in crucial intercession, require communal support. Aaron, representing priestly mediation, and Hur, a lay leader, signify that support must come from both sacred and secular roles within the community. Their act of upholding Moses' hands "steadily" (using the significant term ʾĕmūnāh) directly correlates to Israel's prevailing in battle. This signifies that consistent, steadfast intercession—whether personal or corporate—is key to victory in life's battles. The battle's duration until sunset further emphasizes the need for unyielding perseverance in the face of persistent opposition. The verse underscores that the work of God is a corporate endeavor, relying on interconnectedness, shared burdens, and faithful endurance in prayer to achieve God's purposes.