Exodus 17:14 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God commands Moses to record the victory and teach Joshua, promising to erase Amalek from memory.
The Context of Exodus 17:14
God preserves the record and promises judgment: the victory is given to memory and the enemy to oblivion.
What Does Exodus 17:14 Mean?
God speaks to Moses after the victory, giving explicit instructions to preserve the account in writing and to recite it specifically to Joshua. Writing ensures the event is not lost to oral tradition; rehearsing it in Joshua's ears emphasizes that the next generation of leadership must understand what God has done and how He acts.
God also declares a cosmic judgment: Amalek's remembrance will be utterly blotted out from heaven. This is not merely military defeat but divine erasure of a people who attacked God's people unprovoked. The declaration underscores that Israel's conflicts are not merely political but theological—they involve God's justice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 17:14
What does Exodus 17:14 mean?
God commands Moses to record the victory and teach Joshua, promising to erase Amalek from memory.
What is the context of Exodus 17:14?
God preserves the record and promises judgment: the victory is given to memory and the enemy to oblivion.