Amalek is Esau's grandson and the ancestor of the Amalekites, the people who became Israel's persistent enemy beginning at Rephidim.
According to Les Feldick, Amalek was a grandson of Esau, and the Amalekites became Israel's continuous enemy. Their first recorded attack came after Israel struck the rock in the desert, and Les sees them as a picture of the flesh warring against the spiritual.
Genesis 36:12 — Places Amalek in Esau's family line, showing his identity as a grandson of Esau.
Exodus 17:8 — Records the Amalekites' attack on Israel at Rephidim, the battle that made them significant in Israel's history.
Exodus 17:15 — Mentions the altar Moses built, 'Jehovahnissi,' which Les interprets as 'He is our banner.'
Genesis 36 traces Esau's descendants and includes Amalek in that family line. Genesis 36:12 says, 'And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these are the sons of Adah Esau's wife.' So Amalek comes from Esau's family, not from an unrelated people. Later, Exodus 17:8 says, 'Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.' The battle account shows Israel prevailing while Moses held up his hand, and when his hand dropped, Amalek prevailed. At the end, Moses built an altar and called it Jehovahnissi, commemorating that the LORD was Israel's banner.
Les Feldick identifies Amalek as 'a grandson of Esau' and says that the Amalekites 'became the continuous enemy of the nation of Israel' (Clip 1). He points out that the battle at Rephidim happened because Israel had just struck the rock and water was flowing out—water was a precious commodity in the desert, and the Amalekites came to fight over it (Clip 1). Les also applies the battle to the Christian life: as soon as a person is born again and partakes of the living water, the old flesh begins to war against the new nature, and the Amalekites are 'a picture of the flesh warring against the spiritual' (Clip 4). Finally, Les emphasizes that God really fought the battle and that the altar 'Jehovah Nissi' means 'He is our banner' (Clip 5).
Les explains that the setting is the key. Israel was in the desert where water was scarce, and they had just seen water pour from the smitten rock. The Amalekites saw this abundance of water and came to do battle with Israel over it (Clip 1). Les then connects this to everyday Christian experience: the flesh immediately wars against the spiritual when someone partakes of living water (Clip 4).
In the battle account, Moses stood on top of the hill with the rod of God in his hand. When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; when he let it down, Amalek prevailed. Aaron and Hur held up Moses' hands so the battle turned in Israel's favor (Clip 2). Les emphasizes that God was the real victor—He used the Israeli men, but it was providential that the battle went Israel's way as long as Moses' arms were held up. Moses built an altar and called it 'Jehovah Nissi,' meaning 'He is our banner' (Clip 5).
Les reminds us that the Middle Eastern peoples are interrelated. The descendants of Esau are relatives of Israel, but because they are outside the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they are outside the covenant promises and consequently become enemies of God's covenant people (Clip 3). Later, the Edomites—Esau's offspring—were mountain dwellers who became physically strong, proud, and arrogant. But God said He would destroy them (Clip 7).
Joseph as a Type of Christ: The Hidden Prophecy in Genesis 37-46
Hello, and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Amalek's Identity and the Amalekites' Enmity
Les identifies Amalek as a grandson of Esau and explains that the Amalekites became Israel's continuous enemy, beginning with the attack at Rephidim.
The Battle Against Amalek at Rephidim
Les reads the battle account, showing that Israel prevailed while Moses held up his hand and Amalek prevailed when he let it down.
Esau's Descendants as Relatives Outside the Covenant
Les explains that Esau's descendants and other related peoples are outside the covenant promises and thereby become enemies of God's covenant people.
Amalek as a Picture of the Flesh Warring Against the Spirit
Les teaches that just as the Amalekites fought over the water at Rephidim, the flesh wars against the new nature after a person partakes of living water.
God Fought the Battle and Jehovah Nissi
Les emphasizes that God was the one who fought the battle and that the altar 'Jehovah Nissi' means 'He is our banner.'
The Birthright Explained: Why God Chose Jacob Over Esau
Now then out of the sons that are born to this woman Keturah, the main one I like to point out is in verse 4. The sons of Midian. Now you remember the Midianites were the arch enemies of Israel through their antiquities, and these two were sons of Abraham.
Edomites' Pride and God's Judgment
Les describes the Edomites, descendants of Esau, as mountain dwellers who became proud and arrogant, yet God said He would destroy them.
Genesis 36:12: And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these are the sons of Adah Esau's wife.
Shows Amalek's place in Esau's genealogy, making him a grandson of Esau.
Exodus 17:8: Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
Records the Amalekites' attack on Israel soon after the Exodus.
Exodus 17:11: And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
Shows that Israel's victory depended on Moses' upheld hands.
Exodus 17:15: And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:
Commemorates the battle, with the altar name meaning 'The LORD is my banner.'
Malachi 1:3: And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
Reflects God's judgment against Esau's descendants, including the Edomites.
Amalek was a grandson of Esau, as shown in Genesis 36:12. Les Feldick points out that the Amalekites who descended from him became Israel's continuous enemy. Their first recorded attack occurred at Rephidim after Israel left Egypt.
Les says the setting explains it. Israel was in the desert where water was precious, and they had just seen water flow from the smitten rock. The Amalekites saw this abundance of water and came to fight over it.
Les teaches that the Amalekites are a picture of the flesh warring against the spiritual. Just as they fought over the water at Rephidim, the old flesh begins to war against the new nature after a person partakes of living water.
God fought the battle. Moses held the rod of God, and as long as his hands were raised Israel prevailed. Moses built an altar named Jehovahnissi, meaning 'He is our banner.'
Watch the Teaching: Joseph as a Type of Christ: The Hidden Prophecy in Genesis 37-46