Exodus 17:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But Moses ' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

NIV: When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.

NASB: And Moses’ hands were heavy. So they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. So his hands were steady until the sun set.

CSB: When Moses’s hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.

NLT: Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.

KJV: 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 the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

NKJV: But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

The recently-freed nation of Israel (Exodus 12:40–41; 14:21–28) has been attacked by the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8). Moses takes his staff to the top of a nearby hill while Joshua leads men into battle (Exodus 17:9–10). On the hill, Moses holds up his hand, with the staff, and Israel experiences success in their fight. But when he lowers his hand, the battle turns against his people. Eighty-year-old Moses (Exodus 7:7) cannot hold his staff up forever.

In the famous Lord of the Rings books and films, a character named Frodo is tasked with carrying a powerful, evil ring. Near the end of the story, he drops from exhaustion and cannot continue. His only companion, Sam, cannot take Frodo's place as the ringbearer. Since Sam cannot carry the ring, he carries Frodo, bringing them to their destination. This part of the story may have been inspired in part by this part of the book of Exodus.

The power Israel needs comes only through a designated channel, which is Moses and his staff (Exodus 3:15; 4:17). Apparently, neither Aaron nor Hur can take the staff and hold it themselves. So, they find a rock on which Moses can sit, and the two men hold Moses' arms up for him. This gives Israel the needed power for victory (Exodus 17:13). The incident emphasizes the nation's dependence on their God (Zechariah 4:6).

Exodus 17:8–16 describes Israel's first true battle since leaving Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12:40–41). When Amalekites attack, Moses assigns Joshua to lead the fighting men of Israel. During the battle, Israel prevails while Moses' staff is held up. But they begin to lose when he puts the staff down. Aaron and Hur hold Moses' arms up, allowing Israel to complete its victory.

Israel condemns and argues against Moses because of a water shortage, despite recent miracles proving the Lord's care. In response, God arranges a public display of His power through Moses. Then, when Amalekites attack Israel, God gives them power to repel the attack. This comes in the form of Moses holding up his staff, assisted by Aaron and Hur. Joshua is introduced as a military leader.

The nation of Israel recently received miraculous provisions of water, bread, and meat (Exodus 15—16). Still, they bitterly argue and bicker against Moses when water becomes scarce. After another miracle, God aids the Hebrews in repelling an enemy attack. Next, they will encounter Moses' father-in-law, who will provide some much-needed advice (Exodus 18).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.