Overview
The Bible addresses amalekites across 13 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Numbers, Deuteronomy and 1 Samuel. Closely related themes include Amalekites, the, Theocracy, The, or Immediate Government By God, Shur and Moses. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Joshua, Saul and David.
Key Bible verses about amalekites
Old Testament
Exodus
And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. Because: or, Because the hand of Amalek is against the throne of the LORD, therefore, etc the LORD hath: Heb. the hand upon the throne of the LORD
Numbers
The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.
(Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.) To morrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.
Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.
And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever. the nations: the nations that warred against Israel that: or, even to destruction
Deuteronomy
Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;
How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God.
Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.
1 Samuel
And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.
And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt. Gezrites: or, Gerzites
Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.
People in the Bible and amalekites
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying amalekites for yourself
- Begin with Exodus 17:14, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Numbers, Deuteronomy and 1 Samuel each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Moses, Joshua and Saul and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Amalekites, the, Theocracy, The, or Immediate Government By God, Shur and Moses.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about amalekites?
The Bible addresses amalekites across 13 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Numbers, Deuteronomy and 1 Samuel. Closely related themes include Amalekites, the, Theocracy, The, or Immediate Government By God, Shur and Moses. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Joshua, Saul and David.
How many Bible verses are about amalekites?
The Bible references amalekites in 13 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention amalekites?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 17:14: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with amalekites?
Moses, Joshua, Saul and David.
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