King James Version

What Does Exodus 17:14 Mean?

Exodus 17:14 in the King James Version says “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 utt...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Exodus 17:14 · KJV

Context

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.

15

And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: Jehovahnissi: that is, The LORD my banner

16

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

Read Exodus 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua—This is Scripture's first explicit command to write, establishing written Scripture's authority. The verb 'write' (כָּתַב, katav) and 'memorial' (זִכָּרוֹן, zikaron) show God ensures permanent record of His promises and judgments. The dual instruction—write for posterity, rehearse to Joshua—combines written and oral transmission. Joshua must know that God has decreed Amalek's utter destruction: 'I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.' This prophetic declaration spans centuries (fulfilled partly under Saul and David) and ultimately prefigures final judgment. The command to write also establishes Moses as Scripture's first human author under divine inspiration.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This written memorial became part of Torah. Amalek's destruction was commanded again in Deuteronomy 25:19 and partially fulfilled under Saul (1 Samuel 15) and David (1 Samuel 30).

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God command written record in addition to oral instruction?
  2. What does God 'blotting out the remembrance' of Amalek teach about final judgment on evil?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 19

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 19

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל3 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֗ה4 of 19

“unto Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

כְּתֹ֨ב5 of 19

“Write”

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

זֹ֤את6 of 19
H2063

this (often used adverb)

זִכָּרוֹן֙7 of 19

“this for a memorial”

H2146

a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)

בַּסֵּ֔פֶר8 of 19

“in a book”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

וְשִׂ֖ים9 of 19

“and rehearse”

H7760

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

בְּאָזְנֵ֣י10 of 19

“it in the ears”

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ11 of 19

“of Joshua”

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

כִּֽי12 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֶמְחֶה֙13 of 19

“for I will utterly”

H4229

properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e., grease or make fat

אֶמְחֶה֙14 of 19

“for I will utterly”

H4229

properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e., grease or make fat

אֶת15 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

זֵ֣כֶר16 of 19

“the remembrance”

H2143

a memento, abstractly recollection (rarely if ever); by implication, commemoration

עֲמָלֵ֔ק17 of 19

“of Amalek”

H6002

amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country

מִתַּ֖חַת18 of 19
H8478

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

הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃19 of 19

“from under heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

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 17:14 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 17:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 34:271 Samuel 30:1Numbers 24:201 Samuel 30:17Numbers 33:22 Samuel 8:12

Places in This Verse

AmalekRegion · Modern: Ain el Qudeirat · 30.65°N, 34.42°E28 verses across 8 books
View all places in Exodus 17 →

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Exodus 17 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterExodus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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