Lexical Definition

‎עֲמָלֵק‎ ʻĂmâlêq (am-aw-lake') Amalek N:N-M-P
probably of foreign origin

Amalek.

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

Usage: 1 form in 2 verses
Form Translated As     In Verse(s)
עֲמָלֵ֑ק Amalek Gen.36.12 • Gen.36.16

Extended Information

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

Male • Grandson of Esau • Grandson of Esau, ancestor of the Amalekites

Edomite living at the time of the Patriarchs

Amalek was the son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau, and he became the ancestor of the Amalekite people. (Gen.36.12,16)

Amalek is mentioned in the genealogy of Esau, the son of Isaac and the brother of Israel (or 'Jacob'), who became the ancestor of the Edomites. Amalek was the son of Eliphaz, Esau's firstborn son, and his concubine Timna. (Gen.36.12)

As a grandson of Esau, Amalek became the ancestor of the Amalekite people, a nomadic tribe that inhabited the Negev desert region south of Canaan. The Amalekites became a significant enemy of the Israelites during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land and in the period of the judges and early monarchy.

In the book of Exodus, the Amalekites attacked the Israelites at Rephidim, but they were defeated by Joshua and the Israelite army under the leadership of Moses. (Ex.17.8-16) God declared that He would be at war with the Amalekites from generation to generation because of their opposition to Israel. (Ex.17.16)

Later, during the period of the judges, the Amalekites joined forces with the Moabites and Ammonites to attack Israel, but they were defeated by Ehud and the Israelite army. (Jdg.3.12-30)

In the time of King Saul, God commanded him to completely destroy the Amalekites because of their past hostility towards Israel. (1Sa.15.1-3) However, Saul disobeyed God's command by sparing the Amalekite king Agag and some of the livestock. This act of disobedience led to God's rejection of Saul as king. (1Sa.15.4-35)

The Amalekites continued to be a threat to Israel until the time of King David, who defeated them and secured Israel's borders. (1Sa.27.8; 30.1-20)

Amalek's mention in the genealogy of Esau and the subsequent history of the Amalekites highlight the ongoing conflict between the descendants of Jacob and Esau and the fulfillment of God's prophecy that the two nations would be in opposition to each other. (Gen.25.23)

All entries for Amalek: עֲמָלֵק