Exodus 17:9 kjv
And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.
Exodus 17:9 nkjv
And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand."
Exodus 17:9 niv
Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."
Exodus 17:9 esv
So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand."
Exodus 17:9 nlt
Moses commanded Joshua, "Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand."
Exodus 17 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 17:10-12 | So Joshua did... Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed... | The direct continuation and fulfillment of Moses' plan for victory through divine aid and collective effort. |
| Ex 4:2, 20 | What is that in your hand? A staff... And Moses took the rod of God in his hand. | Identifies the "rod of God" as Moses' staff, initially a sign of divine authority given at the burning bush. |
| Ex 14:16 | Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea... | The rod's use in parting the Red Sea, a prior demonstration of its power for salvation. |
| Ex 17:5-6 | Pass on before the people... and take in your hand the staff... I will stand before you... and you shall strike the rock... | The rod's prior use for providing water, highlighting God's continuous provision for His people's needs. |
| Num 13:16 | These are the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun, Joshua. | Introduction of Joshua earlier in the narrative, signifying his early recognition and commissioning for future leadership. |
| Deut 31:7-8 | Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous... The LORD himself will go before you..." | Moses formally commissions Joshua as his successor, reinforcing his leadership role after Moses' departure. |
| Josh 1:1-9 | After the death of Moses... the LORD said to Joshua... Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened... for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. | God's personal commission to Joshua for leading Israel into the Promised Land, echoing themes of divine presence and strength. |
| Deut 25:17-19 | "Remember what Amalek did to you on the way... you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you must not forget." | God's perpetual condemnation of Amalek due to their unprovoked attack on weary Israel. |
| Num 24:20 | And he looked on Amalek and took up his discourse and said, "Amalek was the first of the nations, but its end shall be utter destruction." | Balaam's prophecy further emphasizes Amalek's hostile nature and eventual eradication. |
| 1 Sam 15:1-3 | "Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have; do not spare them..." | Saul's divine command to annihilate Amalek, showcasing their lasting role as Israel's enemy and Saul's disobedience. |
| 1 Sam 30:1 | ...when David and his men came to Ziklag... behold, it had been burned... and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. | The Amalekites continued as aggressors, prompting David's pursuit and rescue. |
| Esth 3:1 | After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him... | Haman, an Agagite (a descendant of Amalekite King Agag), signifies the enduring enmity against God's people, even into the Persian period. |
| Ps 20:7 | Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. | Emphasizes the reliance on God's power over human strength, paralleling the Exodus battle where victory was not by arms alone. |
| Prov 21:31 | The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. | Reinforces the principle that preparation is good, but ultimate success comes from God, aligning with Joshua fighting and Moses interceding. |
| Zech 4:6 | Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. | A foundational principle of spiritual warfare, that divine victory comes not through human strength, but by God's Spirit, as seen in the dependence on Moses' raised hands and the rod. |
| 2 Cor 10:3-4 | For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh... Our weapons are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. | Highlights the spiritual nature of the Christian's warfare, resonating with Moses' reliance on divine power for physical victory. |
| Eph 6:10-12 | Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might... For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood... | Connects physical battles with a deeper spiritual reality, emphasizing God's strength in overcoming spiritual adversaries, analogous to Amalek. |
| Heb 4:8-9 | For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on... So then, there remains a Sabbath-rest for the people of God. | Portrays Joshua as a type, or foreshadowing, of Christ, the greater "Joshua" who brings true rest and victory. |
| Heb 12:1-2 | Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus... | Encourages endurance in spiritual struggles, recalling Israel's battle and perseverance under Moses' and Joshua's leadership. |
| John 3:14-15 | And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up... | Connects Moses' actions in the wilderness (though not specifically the rod against Amalek) with a salvific 'lifting up,' providing a broader understanding of Moses as a type of Christ. |
Exodus 17 verses
Exodus 17 9 Meaning
Exodus 17:9 describes Moses' command to Joshua to prepare for the first battle Israel would face after their deliverance from Egypt: a confrontation with the Amalekites. It outlines the division of labor, with Joshua leading the men in physical combat while Moses, symbolizing reliance on divine power and intercession, would stand on a hill holding the "rod of God." This verse sets the stage for a critical demonstration of God's providential care in warfare and the importance of leadership working in harmony under divine authority.
Exodus 17 9 Context
Exodus chapter 17 is situated during Israel's early desert wanderings after the miraculous deliverance from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea. The immediate preceding events involve the Israelites' journey from the Wilderness of Sin to Rephidim, where they faced a severe lack of water. This complaint led to Moses striking the rock at Horeb by divine command, providing water—an act also establishing the names Massah (testing) and Meribah (quarreling). Directly following this divine provision, the Amalekites launch an unprovoked, opportunistic attack on the vulnerable Israelite stragglers at Rephidim, marking their first direct military conflict as a nascent nation. Exodus 17:9, therefore, signals Israel's shift from being passively supplied by God to actively engaging in warfare under His command, requiring both human effort and divine empowerment.
Exodus 17 9 Word Analysis
- And Moses said: Connects the directive to the established leader of Israel, signifying divinely appointed authority and the seriousness of the command. Moses acts as God's instrument.
- to Joshua: Joshua (Hebrew: Yehoshua, meaning "The LORD is salvation" or "The LORD saves") is here prominently introduced as Moses' trusted subordinate and military commander. This marks a pivotal moment in his rise to leadership, demonstrating his capabilities in practical action under direct command, foreshadowing his eventual role as Moses' successor in leading Israel into the Promised Land.
- "Choose us some men": (Hebrew: bachar lanu anashim - choose for us men). "Choose" implies careful selection for a specific, demanding task (battle), not merely random conscription. It indicates the need for able-bodied and likely willing fighters, demonstrating early military organization under Joshua's command.
- and go out, fight with Amalek: (Hebrew: u'tsei hilacham b'Amalek - and go out, fight with Amalek). An immediate and direct command for military engagement. "Go out" suggests leaving the main camp to meet the enemy. This is a divine imperative through Moses, underscoring the necessity of confronting this specific enemy.
- Amalek: The Amalekites were descendants of Esau (Gen 36:12) who resided in the Negev and Sinai regions. Their unprovoked attack on Israel at their weakest point (attacking the rear of the weary, vulnerable procession - Deut 25:17-18) branded them as a persistent and despised enemy of God's people, symbolizing persistent spiritual opposition throughout Scripture. This was the first hostile nation Israel encountered after leaving Egypt, setting a precedent for God's view of them.
- Tomorrow: (Hebrew: machar) Implies immediate action and swift preparation. It sets a specific deadline, emphasizing urgency and decisiveness in military engagement.
- I will stand: (Hebrew: e'emod) Moses' posture here is one of deliberate authority, focus, and perhaps prayerful intercession. His position is not passive but an active stance that aligns him with God's will for the battle, visibly demonstrating reliance on divine aid.
- on the top of the hill: (Hebrew: rosh ha'giv'ah) This elevated vantage point allows Moses to observe the battle, but more importantly, to be seen by the fighting Israelites. It is a place of spiritual prominence, connecting the physical struggle on the plain below with divine intervention from above. It serves as a visual beacon of divine presence.
- with the rod of God in my hand: (Hebrew: u'matteh ha'Elohim b'yadi)
- rod of God: Moses' staff, transformed from a simple shepherd's staff (Ex 4:2) into an instrument of divine power. It had previously been used to perform plagues in Egypt, part the Red Sea (Ex 14:16), and strike the rock for water (Ex 17:5-6). It is not magical in itself, but a visible symbol of God's power, presence, and authority operating through Moses. Its presence assures divine enablement for victory.
- in my hand: The hand symbolizes power, agency, and direction. Moses holding the rod in his hand signifies that he is the appointed channel for God's power and direct intervention in the battle. His hand lifting it (as revealed in Ex 17:11) would become the visual signal for Israel's success.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek": This concise command defines Joshua's immediate role: practical military leadership and engagement. It distinguishes the physical realm of battle where human effort is required. The phrase signifies a necessary active response to aggression.
- "Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand": This phrase describes Moses' parallel and critical role: spiritual authority and divine empowerment. It separates the sphere of divine action and intercession, indicating that victory would not come through human might alone but through God's power manifested through His chosen representative and symbol. This juxtaposition of physical and spiritual effort is central to the lesson of the battle.
Exodus 17 9 Bonus Section
- Typological Significance of Joshua: Joshua, whose name (Yehoshua) is closely related to "Jesus" (Yeshua), foreshadows Christ. Just as Joshua led Israel in military victory and into the Promised Land, Jesus leads His people in spiritual warfare and into eternal rest. His commissioning here to fight the first battle is a significant precursor to his later leadership.
- Amalek as a Prototype of Spiritual Warfare: The Amalekites, characterized by their persistent and insidious attacks on the weak, represent a type of spiritual enemy. This battle introduces the concept that there are forces that persistently oppose God's people, requiring not just active resistance but also spiritual reliance. Their attack being described as "cutting off all who were lagging behind" (Deut 25:18) implies targeting the vulnerable or weary, making them a metaphor for the enemy of souls who exploits weakness.
- Significance of "Tomorrow": The immediate call to battle for "tomorrow" implies an unexpected, unprovoked attack that demanded swift, decisive, and divinely-guided action. This reflects the urgency often found in spiritual conflicts.
- God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: This verse, and the subsequent battle (Ex 17:10-16), brilliantly illustrate the interplay between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. Joshua is commanded to choose and fight, indicating human effort is necessary. Yet, the victory is explicitly tied to Moses' rod and uplifted hands, showing that ultimate power and victory come from God. It's a foundational teaching that God uses human instruments and actions, but He alone grants the triumph.
Exodus 17 9 Commentary
Exodus 17:9 outlines a crucial, divinely-orchestrated strategy for Israel's first post-Exodus battle against Amalek. It distinctly delegates roles: Joshua is commissioned for the active, ground-level military leadership, tasked with selecting and leading the fighting men. This highlights the necessity of human effort and preparation in the face of conflict. Simultaneously, Moses positions himself on a visible hill, holding the "rod of God." This symbolizes the ultimate source of Israel's power and victory. The rod, already a potent sign of divine authority and power from the Red Sea and the rock, signifies that the battle is God's. Moses' posture underscores the dependence on divine intervention and intercession, where victory hinges not solely on military prowess, but on the manifestation of God's presence and power. The swift, unprovoked attack by Amalek represented a test of Israel's trust and obedience immediately following a crisis of provision (water), teaching them that God's care extends beyond basic needs to active protection in warfare, demanding a dual approach of human action and divine reliance. This strategic blueprint becomes a foundational lesson in spiritual warfare: believers must engage actively ("fight with Amalek") while concurrently depending entirely on God's strength and presence ("with the rod of God in my hand").