Exodus 17:8-16

Exodus 17:8-16

[8] Then came  Amalek,  and fought  with Israel  in Rephidim.  [9] And Moses  said  unto Joshua,  Choose us out  and go out,  fight  with Amalek:  to morrow  I will stand  on the top  of the hill  with the rod  of God  in mine hand.  [10] So Joshua  did  as Moses  had said  to him, and fought  with Amalek:  and Moses,  Aaron,  and Hur  went up  to the top  of the hill.  [11] And it came to pass, when Moses  held up  his hand,  that Israel  prevailed:  and when he let down  his hand,  Amalek  prevailed.  [12] But Moses'  hands  were heavy;  and they took  a stone,  and put  it under him, and he sat  thereon; and Aaron  and Hur  stayed up  his hands,  the one on the one side,  and his hands  were steady  until the going down  of the sun.  [13] And Joshua  discomfited  Amalek  and his people  with the edge  of the sword.  [14] 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  the remembrance  of Amalek  from under heaven.  [15] And Moses  built  an altar,  and called  the name  [16] For he said,  Because the LORD  hath sworn  that the LORD  will have war  with Amalek  from generation 

What does Exodus 17:8-16 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Whereas the Israelites had feared the possibility of having to battle the Egyptians ( Exodus 14:10), they now did engage in battle with the Amalekites.
"The primary function of this section in its present location is the demonstration of yet another proof and benefit of Yahweh"s Presence with Israel. The occasion for the demonstration this time is an attack from the outside instead of an internal complaint. The result, however, is once again an undeniable supernatural intervention of Yahweh.... Yahweh is present, when the need arises, to fight alongside and even on behalf of his people." [1]