Exodus 17 · Verse 14

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.
Exodus 17:14, King James Version

Exodus 17:14 in other translations

BSBThen the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua, because I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”
WEBThe LORD said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky.”
ASVand Jehovah said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
YLTAnd Jehovah saith unto Moses, ‘Write this, a memorial in a Book, and set it in the ears of Joshua, that I do utterly wipe away the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens;'
DARBYAnd Jehovah said to Moses, Write this for a memorial in the book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens.
BBEAnd the Lord said to Moses, Make a record of this in a book, so that it may be kept in memory, and say it again in the ears of Joshua: that all memory of Amalek is to be completely uprooted from the earth.
WebsterAnd the LORD said to Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

What does Exodus 17:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 17:14-16
14-16. Write this for a memorial--If the bloody character of this statute seems to be at variance with the mild and merciful character of God, the reasons are to be sought in the deep and implacable vengeance they meditated against Israel (Psa 83:4).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 14 Write this for a memorial in a book - This is the first mention of writing on record: what it signified, or how it was done, we cannot tell. But it is evident that either this passage is introduced here instead of Deu 25:17, by way of anticipation, or that by the words כתב שפר kethob and sepher was intended only a monumental declaration of the defeat of Amalek by Joshua, by some action or symbolical representation; for it is immediately subjoined, "And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi." See Dr. A. Bayley, and see the note on Exodus 30 (note). It is very likely that the first regular alphabetical writing in the world was that written by the finger of God himself on the two tables of stone. What is said here was probably by way of anticipation, or means some other method of registering events than by alphabetical characters, if we allow that God gave the first specimen of regular writing on the tables of stone, which did not take place till some time after this. Rehearse it in the ears of Joshua - Thus showing that Joshua was to succeed Moses, and that this charge should be given to every succeeding governor. I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek - This threatening was accomplished by Saul, 1Sam 15:3, etc.; four hundred and twelve years after. Judgment is God's strange work; but it must take place when the sins which incensed it are neither repented of nor forsaken. This people, by their continued transgressions, proved themselves totally unworthy of a political existence; and therefore said God to Saul, Go, and utterly destroy the Sinners the Amalekites; 1Sam 15:18. So their continuance in sin was the cause of their final destruction.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Exodus 17:8-16

Israel engaged with Amalek in their own necessary defence. God makes his people able, and calls them to various services for the good of his church. Joshua fights, Moses prays, both minister to Israel. The rod was held up, as the banner to encourage the soldiers. Also to God, by way of appeal to him. Moses was tired. The strongest arm will fail with being long held out; it is God only whose hand is stretched out…

Read the full comment on Exodus 17:8-16 →

Exodus 17:14 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיֹּ֨אמֶרvai.Yo.merand he saidH559
יְהוָ֜הYah.wehYahwehH3068
אֶל\־'el-toH413
מֹשֶׁ֗הmo.ShehMosesH4872
כְּתֹ֨בke.TowriteH3789
זֹ֤אתzotthisH2063
זִכָּרוֹן֙zi.ka.rOnreminderH2146
בַּסֵּ֔פֶרba.Se.ferin the bookH5612
וְשִׂ֖יםve.Simand put [it]H7760
בְּאָזְנֵ֣יbe.'a.ze.Neiin [the] ears ofH241
יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַye.ho.Shu.a'JoshuaH3091
כִּֽי\־ki-forH3588
מָחֹ֤הma.Chohcertainly <to wipe out>H4229
אֶמְחֶה֙'em.ChehI will wipe outH4229
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
זֵ֣כֶרZe.kher[the] remembrance ofH2143
עֲמָלֵ֔ק'a.ma.LekAmalekH6002
מִתַּ֖חַתmi.Ta.chatfrom underH8478
הַשָּׁמָֽיִם\׃ha.sha.Ma.yimthe heavensH8064

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Exodus 17:14

  • Exodus 34:27

    And the Lord said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.

  • 1 Samuel 30:1

    And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

  • 1 Samuel 30:17

    And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.

  • Numbers 24:20

    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.

  • 2 Samuel 8:12

    Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

  • Deuteronomy 25:17-19

    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.

  • Numbers 33:2

    And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the Lord: and these are their journeys according to their goings out.

  • 1 Samuel 15:2-3

    Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

  • Exodus 12:14

    And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

  • Exodus 13:9

    And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought thee out of Egypt.

  • Exodus 24:4

    And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

  • 1 Samuel 15:7-8

    And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
memorial.
12:14; 13:9; 34:27; De 31:9; Jos 4:7; Job 19:23; Hag 2:2,3
for I will.
Nu 24:20; De 25:17-19; 1Sa 15:2,3,7,8,18; 27:8,9; 30:1,17
2Sa 1:1,8-16; 8:12; 1Ch 4:43; Ezr 9:14
the remembrance.
Job 18:17; Ps 9:6; Pr 10:7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Exodus 17:13

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

  • 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.

  • Exodus 17:15

    And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it JEHOVAH–nissi:

Read all of Exodus 17

Exodus 17:14 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Y Jehová dijo á Moisés: Escribe esto para memoria en un libro, y di á Josué que del todo tengo de raer la memoria de Amalec de debajo del cielo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et l’ Éternel dit à Moïse: Écris ceci pour mémorial dans le livre, et fais-le entendre à Josué, que j’effacerai entièrement la mémoire d’Amalek de dessous les cieux.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Und Jehova sprach zu Mose: Schreibe dieses zum Gedächtnis in ein Buch, und lege in die Ohren Josuas, daß ich das Gedächtnis Amaleks gänzlich unter dem Himmel austilgen werde.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Dixit autem Dominus ad Moysen: Scribe hoc ob monimentum in libro, et trade auribus Josue: delebo enim memoriam Amalec sub cælo.