Lexical Definition
עֲמָלֵק ʻĂmâlêq (am-aw-lake') Amalek N:N-M-P
probably of foreign origin
Amalek.
- § Amalek = "dweller in a valley"
- Amalek, a descendant of Esau
- also his posterity and their country
1) son of Eliphaz by his concubine Timnah, grandson of Esau, and progenitor of a tribe of people in southern Canaan
2) descendants of Amalek
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| עֲמָלֵֽק | Amalek | Exod.17.11 • 1Sam.15.6 |
| עֲמָלֵ֥ק | Amalek | Exod.17.13 • Num.13.29 |
| עֲמָלֵ֗ק | Amalek | 1Sam.15.3 |
| עֲמָלֵ֖ק | Amalek | 1Sam.15.2 • 1Sam.15.8 • 1Sam.15.20 |
| עֲמָלֵ֔ק | Amalek | Exod.17.14 • Num.24.20 • Num.24.20 • Deut.25.19 • 1Sam.15.18 • 1Sam.15.20 • 1Sam.15.32 |
| עֲמָלֵ֑ק | Amalek | Exod.17.8 • Deut.25.17 • 1Sam.14.48 • 1Sam.15.5 • 1Sam.15.7 • 1Sam.30.18 |
| לַעֲמָלֵ֑ק | of Amalek | 1Chr.4.43 |
| וּמֵֽעֲמָלֵֽק | and from Amalek | 1Chr.18.11 |
| וּמֵֽעֲמָלֵ֑ק | and from Amalek | 2Sam.8.12 |
| וַעֲמָלֵֽק | and Amalek | 1Chr.1.36 |
| וַעֲמָלֵ֤ק | and Amalek | Judg.7.12 |
| וַעֲמָלֵ֛ק | and Amalek | Judg.6.33 |
| וַעֲמָלֵ֑ק | and Amalek | Judg.3.13 • Ps.83.7 |
| וַֽעֲמָלֵק֙ | and Amalek | Judg.10.12 |
| וַֽעֲמָלֵ֛ק | and Amalek | Judg.6.3 |
| הָעֲמָלֵ֑ק | Amalek | 2Sam.1.1 |
| בַּעֲמָלֵ֔ק | in Amalek | Judg.5.14 |
| בַּעֲמָלֵ֑ק | against Amalek | Exod.17.9 • Exod.17.10 |
| on Amalek | 1Sam.28.18 | |
| בַּֽעֲמָלֵ֑ק | with Amalek | Exod.17.16 |
Extended Information
- Amalek = "dweller in a valley"
- people in southern Canaan
- Also named: a.ma.le.qi (עֲמָלֵקִי "Amalekite" עֲמָלֵקִי)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
עֲמָלֵק39 proper name, of a people Amalek (on ָ֯ see LagBN 162 BaNB 160); — ancient people Num 24:20 (twice in verse), south of Canaan — in Negeb Num 13:29 (all J E), fierce and war-like Bedawin (compare GASmGeogr. 282 GFMJudg 6:3; Judg 6:33), foes of Israel during Exodus Exod 17:8 + 6 t. Exod 17 (E), Deut 25:17; Deut 25:19 later marauders in Israel territory Judg 3:13; Judg 6:3; Judg 6:33; Judg 7:12; Judg 10:12, defeated by Saul 1Sam 14:48; 1Sam 15:2 + 9 t. 1Sam 14; 1Sam 28:18, and by David 1Sam 30:18 (compare adjective, of a people below), 2Sam 8:12 = 1Chr 18:11, compare Ps 83:8* also ׳הָע 2Sam 1:1 (where read עֲמָלֵק or הָעֲמָלֵקִי, see Commentaries); ׳ע 1Chr 4:43 as grandson of Esau Gen 36:12 (P) = 1Chr 1:36; Gen 36:16 apparently connected with Ephraimitic territory Judg 5:14 (compare Judg 12:15 below; yet GFM conjecture עֵמֶק). — On Amalek see NöAmalekites {1864}; Ency. Bi. under the word.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Genesis | 36:12 · 36:16 |
| Exodus | Chapter 17 · 17:8 |
| Numbers | 13:29 · 24:20 |
| Deuteronomy | 25:17 · 25:19 |
| Judges | 3:13 · 5:14 · 6:3 · 6:33 · 7:12 · 10:12 · 12:15 |
| 1 Samuel | Chapter 14 · 14:48 · 15:2 · 28:18 · 30:18 |
| 2 Samuel | 1:1 · 8:12 |
| 1 Chronicles | 1:36 · 4:43 · 18:11 |
| Psalms | 83:8* |
Profile
Amalek • In Edom • A nomadic people, descendants of Esau, enemies of Israel.
Amalek, a nomadic tribe descended from Esau, who were persistent enemies of Israel.
- A location in Edom first mentioned at Gen.14.7;
- referred to as Amalek or Amalekite or "valley" (KJV= Amalek) עֲמָלֵק, or Amalekite עֲמָלֵקִי.
Amalek was a nomadic people group descended from Esau's grandson, Eliphaz (Genesis 36:12; 1 Chronicles 1:36). They inhabited the desert regions of the Sinai Peninsula and the Negev. The Amalekites were the first nation to attack Israel after the Exodus, at Rephidim (Exodus 17:8-16). Moses, with the help of Aaron and Hur, interceded for Israel while Joshua led the army in battle. As a result, God declared that He would be at war with Amalek from generation to generation (Exodus 17:16).
The Amalekites, along with other enemies, continued to harass Israel during the period of the judges (Judges 3:13; 6:3,33; 7:12; 10:12). Saul, Israel's first king, was commanded to completely destroy the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:2-3). However, he disobeyed by sparing their king, Agag, and some of the livestock (1 Samuel 15:7-9). This act of disobedience led to God's rejection of Saul as king (1 Samuel 15:23; 28:18).
During David's reign, the Amalekites were among the enemies he defeated (1 Samuel 30:1-20; 2 Samuel 8:12; 1 Chronicles 18:11). The last mention of the Amalekites is in 1 Chronicles 4:43, which records that some of the Simeonites destroyed the remnant of the Amalekites during the time of Hezekiah.
The Amalekites are also mentioned in prophetic and poetic texts as symbols of Israel's enemies (Numbers 24:20; Psalm 83:7). Their persistent opposition to Israel and their role in the narratives of Saul and David make them significant adversaries in the biblical history of Israel.