Deuteronomy 25:18 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Amalek attacked the stragglers—the sick, the elderly, and the weak—when you were exhausted.
The Context of Deuteronomy 25:18
The specific nature of Amalek's cowardice and cruelty.
What Does Deuteronomy 25:18 Mean?
Amalek targeted not soldiers but the vulnerable: the feeble, the women, the children, the elderly who fell behind the stronger travelers. Israel was already worn down from slavery and the journey. Amalek took advantage of that exhaustion, striking where Israel could least defend itself. The attack was an act of predation, not combat.
The phrase 'he feared not God' explained the deepest sin: Amalek saw Israel's weakness and vulnerability and had no awe of God, no restraint, no mercy. A fear of God restrains cruelty. Amalek lacked that restraint entirely. The nation that would prey on the weak without religious scruple was a danger that could not be safely coexisted with.
Deuteronomy 25:18 in the Original Language
va-yach (וַיַּךְ), 'smote' or 'struck' — a blow aimed at the hindmost and feeble.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 25:18
What does Deuteronomy 25:18 mean?
Amalek attacked the stragglers—the sick, the elderly, and the weak—when you were exhausted.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 25:18?
The specific nature of Amalek's cowardice and cruelty.