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AMALEK

(Heb. ʿămālēq), AMALEKITES (ʿămālēqî)

A nomadic (or seminomadic) people, descendants of Amalek, a grandson of Esau (Gen. 36:11-12). The Amalekites are not specifically mentioned outside the Bible, which points to their origin in Edom (cf. Gen. 36:15-16) and identifies them as traditional enemies of the Hebrews. Gen. 14:7 mentions Chedorlaomer’s victory over the “country of the Amalekites,” an anachronism which must be explained as an editorial insertion. In Num. 24:20, in what may be understood as the only positive reference to Amalek in the Bible, Balaam refers to the Amalekites as a very ancient people.

While they came out of Edom, their nomadic lifestyle led to a widespread distribution, mostly along the fringe of southern Canaan’s agricultural zone (e.g., Num. 13:29; Judg. 12:15; 1 Sam. 15:7; 30:1-2). The Amalekites ranged across a large territory, from the western Sinai to Arabia, and made extensive use of camels (Judg. 6:5; 7:12). Because of their distribution and mobility, Amalek came into frequent contact with the Hebrews, from the wilderness wandering until the reign of David. All OT references to contacts between the Amalekites and the Israelites describe hostile interaction; the same holds true for Israel’s encounters with most of the nomadic peoples who inhabited regions beyond prime agricultural lands.

The Amalekite-Israelite hostility began while the Hebrews were in Sinai, with an unprovoked attack by Amalek (Exod. 17:8-16; Deut. 25:17-18; cf. 1 Sam. 15:2-3). Although Israel defeated the Amalekites (Exod. 17:13), a long period of unbroken warfare ensued. When the Israelites attempted to enter southern Canaan, they were blocked by the Canaanites and Amalekites (Num. 14:44-45; Deut. 1:44). Later, the Moabite king Eglon hired Ammonites and Amalekites to attack the Hebrews, and the raiders from Transjordan captured “the city of palms” (Judg. 3:12-14). In the days of Gideon, Amalek invaded areas as far west and north as the region of Gaza and the valley of Jezreel (Judg. 6:3-5, 33), joining forces with the Midianites and “people of the East” and attacking on camels (Judg. 6:5; 7:12).

The accounts of 1–2 Samuel are most important for understanding the clash between Israel and Amalek, especially the demise of the latter. In the first reference to a Hebrew attack on the Amalekites, 1 Sam. 15 describes Saul’s move against “the city of Amalek,” which was probably more of a camp than a city. Although Saul won this battle, he failed to execute the “ban” (Heb. ḥērem) against Agag and the Amalekite booty; Samuel identified Saul’s spiritual transgression and killed Agag, the Amalekite king (1 Sam. 15:8-9, 20, 32-33). Agag was probably a traditional name or title for an Amalekite king — or tribal chief (cf. Num. 24:7).

David continued the hostility with Amalek, who took advantage of David’s absence and looted his base at Ziklag. David was able to locate this raiding party, defeat them, and recover his possessions (1 Sam. 27:8-9; 30:1-25). David learned that Saul had been killed by an Amalekite, probably a mercenary in the Philistine army (2 Sam. 1:1-10). Subsequently, David broke the Amalekite threat (2 Sam. 8:12; 1 Chr. 18:11). Apparently the Amalekites — along with other nomadic groups — were referred to thereafter with the collective term “Arab(s).”

While considerable knowledge about nomadic peoples has been recovered through archaeological research, no specific artifacts or sites are linked to Amalek with any certainty. It is possible that some of the fortified settlements in the Negeb highlands — and even Tel Masos (near Beer-sheba) — have Amalekite connections.

Bibliography. D. Edelman, “Saul’s Battle Against Amaleq (1 Sam. 15),” JSOT 35 (1986): 71-84; I. Ephʿal, The Ancient Arabs (Leiden, 1982).

Gerald L. Mattingly

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

AMALEK

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)