Exodus 17:8
ESV
Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim.
NIV
The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.
NASB
Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim.
CSB
At Rephidim, Amalek came and fought against Israel.
NLT
While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them.
KJV
Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
NKJV
Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
What does Exodus 17:8 mean?
Israel faces its first military test as a freed nation (Exodus 1:11–14; 12:40–41). After their miraculous crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21–29), the people expected Canaanite nations to respond with fear (Exodus 15:14–16). Yet the Hebrews' first combat is the with the people of Amalek: the Amalekites. These are descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:12), brother of Israel's founder, Jacob (Genesis 25:24–26; 32:28).The wording here implies that the Amalekites started this fight. They attacked Israel while the nation was camped at Rephidim (Exodus 17:1). No details are given as to why, or in what way this happened. Israel is not well prepared for war, having only recently been freed from slavery. They may have scavenged weapons from some of the Egyptians who drowned at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:30). But they would need the Lord's help to overcome an enemy so soon (Exodus 17:9–11).
