Exodus 17

The people murmureth at Raphidim for water, v.1,etc. Moseh crying unto the LORD , getteth water out of the stone at Horeb, 4. the place is called Massa and Meriba , 7. Amalek fighteth against Israel , 8. as long as Moseh prayeth with his hands lifted up, Israel prevaileth ,11.God commandeth the destruction of Amalek, 14. Moseh buildeth an Altar , which is called, the LORD is my Banner , 15.

1. After that , the whole Congregation of the children of Israel went , according to their Journeys out of the wilderness of Sin [Their Journeys were these ; from Sin, to Dophka, to Alus ; from Alus , to Raphidim, Numb.33.12,13,14.Moseh doth not make mention in this Chapter of all the Journeys , and resting-places of the people ; but only of those , in which there happened something extraordinary.] upon the Commandement of the LORD ; [Heb. upon, or, after the mouth of , etc.] and they camped themselves at Raphidim : [this is a place in the wildernesse , by Mount Horeb ; this was the first camping , or leaguer-place.] now there was no place for the people to drink .

2. Then the people contended with Moseh , and said ; Give us water ye [viz. ye Moseh and Aaron] that we may drink: then Moseh said to them ; what contend ye with me ? why do ye tempt the LORD ? [ viz. by your unbelief; for they doubted still whether the LORD was among them, verse 7. which they would have him make to appear by Miracles . This is to tempt God , Ps.78.18,19. Mat.16.1.

3. Now when the people thirsted after water , then the people [understand not all , but some ill-disposed ones among them] murmured against Moseh , and said ; Why hast thou made us to go out of Egypt , to make me , and my children , and my cattel die of thirst ?

4. Then Moseh cryed unto the LORD , saying; What shall I do to this people? There wants not much , but they will stone me . [Heb. yet a little , and they will stone me : the like he was threatned with, Numb. 14.10.]

5. Then the LORD said to Moseh : Go ( thy ways ) before the face of the people , [viz. unto Mount Horeb.]and take with thee of the eldest of Israel , [that they be witness of what shall happen there.] and take thy staff into thy hand , wherewith thou smotest the River , [i.e. wherewith thou didst command Aaron to smite the same .] and go (thy ways.)

6. Behold, I shall stand there before thy face , upon the Rock in Horeb, and thou shalt smite upon the Rock , then water shall issue , that the people may drink . Now Moseh did thus , before the eyes of the eldest of Israel .

7. And he called the name of that place Massa , [i.e. tempting, or Temptation] and Meriba,[i.e. Strife,contention . See of another Meriba , Num.20.13.] because of the contentionof the children of Israel , and because they had tempted the LORD , saying ; Is the LORD in the midst of us , or not ?

8. Then came Amalek [i.e. the Amalekites , the posterity of Esau, jacobs brother ,Gen.36.15,16. That which is related here , happened when Moseh was marching with the Israelites towards Horeb. See Deut.25.17,18.] came and fought against Israel [i.e. the Israelites .] in Raphidim.

9. Then Moseh said to Joshua : Chuse us out men , and go forth, fight against Amalek : to morrow I will stand upon the height (or top) [Heb.head] of the hill ; and the staff of God [i.e. that staff , whereby God wrought so many and great wonders .] shall be in my hand .

10. Joshua now did as Moseh had said unto him, fighting against Amalek ; yet Moseh, Aaron ,and Hur, [This Hur is to be distinguished from Hur the father of Bezaleel, and the son of Caleb , 1 Chron.2.19.] did climb (or, get) up, on the top of the hill .

11. And it came to pass , when Moseh held up his hand , and that Israel prevailed ; but while he let down his hand , Amalek prevailed .

12. Yet moseh his hands were heavy , therefore they took a stone , and laid the same underneath him , that he sate thereon , and Aaron and Hur under-propped his hands , the one on this , and the other on the other (side) . [Heb. hence one , and thence one .] So his hands were sure , till the Sun went down .

13. So that Joshua discomfited [or, weakned ,infeebled , broke] Amalek and his people , [It seems, that by Amalek here is to be understood the King , or, chief leader of the Amalekites , and by his people , their camp or army : others understand by Amalek the Amalekites , and by his people , other Nations, that were come into their assistance .] by the edge of the sword .[Heb. the mouth of .]

14. Then said the LORD to Moseh ; Write this for a Remembrance in a Book, [viz. Wherein thou shalt describe the History of the Israelites .] and lay it (up) in the ears of Joshua : [i.e. repeat it often ,imrint it well in thy successours apprehension , by his ears .] that I will wholly extirpate [Hebr. extirpating extirpate] the remembrance of Amalek , from under Heaven . [i.e.every where, as far as the Heaven doth extend itself .]

15. And moseh builded and Altar , and he called its name ; The LORD is my Banner . [Heb. Jehovah Nissi. Thus Moseh called his Altar , in remembrance of the victory over Amalek.]

16. And he said, Because the hand is upon the throne of the LORD, the war of the LORD shall be against Amalek, from generation to generation .[Understand by the Hand here , the Hand of God , i.e. his great and mighty power , which he stretcheth forth from Heaven ( that being his Throne ) for the Protection of his people , and the suppression of his enemies . By the Throne there may likewise be understood the Church of God.Some interpret it of Gods swearing an oath.Others read it , because the hand (viz. of Amalek) is against the throne of the LORD, i.e. was against him , and his people ; the place is somewhat obscure.]