King James Version

What Does Exodus 17:12 Mean?

Exodus 17:12 in the King James Version says “But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed u... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

10

So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

11

And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

12

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.

13

And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon—Moses' fatigue reveals human limitation in intercession. The Hebrew כְּבֵדִים (k'vedim, 'heavy') indicates exhausting burden—prayer is work. The stone seat provides rest without cessation, showing that intercession requires endurance. Aaron and Hur supporting Moses' hands from both sides creates a picture of the church: believers support one another's prayer ministry. The phrase 'his hands were steady until the going down of the sun' emphasizes prevailing prayer—continuing until victory comes. This communal intercession prefigures believers who 'bear one another's burdens' (Gal 6:2) and 'pray always with all prayer' (Eph 6:18).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The battle's duration (until sunset) required sustained intercession for approximately 8-12 hours. Moses' physical limitation necessitated Aaron and Hur's support to maintain prayer throughout the battle.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Moses needing support in intercession teach about the church's mutual dependence?
  2. How does prayer being 'heavy' work challenge popular notions of prayer as easy or mystical?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
יָדָ֛יו1 of 23

and his hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מֹשֶׁה֙2 of 23

But Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

כְּבֵדִ֔ים3 of 23

were heavy

H3515

heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid)

וַיִּקְחוּ4 of 23

and they took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶ֛בֶן5 of 23

a stone

H68

a stone

וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ6 of 23

and put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

תַחְתָּ֖יו7 of 23
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב8 of 23

it under him and he sat

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

עָלֶ֑יהָ9 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְאַֽהֲרֹ֨ן10 of 23

thereon and Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

וְח֜וּר11 of 23

and Hur

H2354

chur, the name of four israelites and one midianite

תָּֽמְכ֣וּ12 of 23

stayed up

H8551

to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close

יָדָ֛יו13 of 23

and his hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מִזֶּ֤ה14 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֶחָ֔ד15 of 23

and the other on the other side

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וּמִזֶּ֣ה16 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֶחָ֔ד17 of 23

and the other on the other side

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וַיְהִ֥י18 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

יָדָ֛יו19 of 23

and his hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֱמוּנָ֖ה20 of 23

were steady

H530

literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity

עַד21 of 23
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

בֹּ֥א22 of 23

until the going down

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃23 of 23

of the sun

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 17:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 17:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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