Meaning of AMALEK, AMALEKITES

Descendants of Esau (Gen. 36:12). They lived for a long time in the vicinity of Kadesh-barnea. They were in these places at the time of the exodus (Num. 13:29; 14:25).

From the summits of the mountains of Abarim the territory they inhabited could be seen (Num. 24:20; Deut. 34:1-3). In their time they played an important role (Num. 24:20).

An editor after the exodus, recounting the events that occurred in this country, could refer to it as "the country of the Amalekites."

The account of the raid by Chedorlaomer and his allies speaks of the invaders from the east, who "came... to Kadesh and devastated..." not the Amalekites, but "throughout the land of the Amalekites" (Gen. 17:7), that is, the country that the reader could identify in his time with that of the Amalekites.

It is not stated here, therefore, that the Amalekites existed in the previous era, but that that country, now of the Amalekites, was devastated. The expression is intentionally imprecise.

From their center, near Kadesh, these nomads dedicated themselves to launching raids and plundering. The Amalekites attacked the rear of the Israelites, who were leaving Egypt and entering the desert.

At Rephidim, west of Sinai, they fought against the Israelites and were defeated. Because of this, Israel was ordered to completely destroy them (Ex. 17:8-16; Deut. 25:17-19).

A year later, Israel arrived at Kadesh and, disobeying God, attempted to enter Canaan. The Amalekites opposed and rejected them (Num. 14:43-45).

It is possible that it was at this time, or later, that the name Amalekites was given to a mountainous region of Ephraim (Judg. 12:15; cp. Judg. 5:14). Shortly after the time of Moses and Joshua, they helped Eglon, king of Moab, to capture Jericho from the Israelites.

A few generations later, they joined with the Midianites to oppress the northern Israelites (Judg. 3:13; 6:3, 33). It is evident that they made their way to the east, maintaining friendly relations with the other inhabitants of the desert.

At the end of the time of the Judges, King Saul completely crushed his power (1 Sam. 15:33; 1 Chron. 4:43).
Careful studies of historical, archaeological and ethnographic evidence identify the Amalekites with the Hyksos.