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Saturday, June 14th, 2025
the Week of Proper 5 / Ordinary 10
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Contemporary English Version

Exodus 17:12

Finally, Moses was so tired that Aaron and Hur got a rock for him to sit on. Then they stood beside him and supported his arms in the same position until sunset.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Aaron;   Armies;   Hur;   Intercession;   Miracles;   Prayer;   Thompson Chain Reference - Aaron;   Co-Operation;   Hur;   Unity-Strife;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Amalekites, the;   Desert, Journey of Israel through the;   Miracles Wrought through Servants of God;   Prayer, Answers to;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Aaron;   Amalekites;   Joshua;   Miracle;   Rephidim;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Aaron;   Amalekites;   Baal;   Joshua the son of nun;   Moses;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Joshua, Theology of;   War, Holy War;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Heart;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Amalekite;   Hur;   Joshua;   Rephidim;   Sinai;   Wars of the Lord, the Book of the;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Aaron;   Amalekites;   Hur;   Moses;   Purim;   Rephidim;   War;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Aaron;   Amalekite;   Exodus, Book of;   Hur;   Joshua;   Moses;   Mount Sinai;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Aaron;   Amalek, Amalekites;   Hur;   Joshua;   Massah and Meribah;   Moses;   Numbers, Book of;   Stone;   Zin;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Aaron;   Amalek, Amalekites ;   Hur;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Ensign;   Mordecai;   Mount amalek;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Journeyings of israel from egypt to canaan;   Rephidim;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Am'alekites,;   Hup'pim;   Pu'rim;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Agag;   Rephidim;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - On to Sinai;   On to Canaan;   Moses, the Man of God;   Hebrew Monarchy, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Aaron;   Amalek;   Heavy;   Hur;   Intercession;   Moses;   Purim;   Stay;   Truth;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Aaron;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Army;   Hur;   Joshua (Jehoshua);   Liturgy;   Purim;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
But Moshe' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aharon and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. His hands were steady until sunset.
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
But the hands of Moses were heavy, and they took a stone and placed it under him, and he sat on it; Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on each side, and his hands were steady until sundown.
New Century Version
Later, when Moses' arms became tired, the men put a large rock under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held up Moses' hands—Aaron on one side and Hur on the other. They kept his hands steady until the sun went down.
New English Translation
When the hands of Moses became heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side and one on the other, and so his hands were steady until the sun went down.
Amplified Bible
But Moses' hands were heavy and he grew tired. So they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side and one on the other side; so it was that his hands were steady until the sun set.
New American Standard Bible
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.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Nowe Moses handes were heauy: therefore they tooke a stone and put it vnder him, and hee sate vpon it: and Aaron and Hur stayed vp his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side: so his hands were steady vntill the going downe of the sunne.
Legacy Standard Bible
But Moses' hands were heavy. Then 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. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.
Complete Jewish Bible
However, Moshe's hands grew heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aharon and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side and the other on the other; so that his hands stayed steady until sunset.
Darby Translation
And Moses' hands were heavy; then they took a stone, and put [it] under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on this side, and one on that side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
Easy-to-Read Version
After some time, Moses' arms became tired. So they put a large rock under Moses for him to sit on. Then Aaron and Hur held Moses' hands in the air. Aaron was on one side of Moses and Hur was on the other side. They held his hands up like this until the sun went down.
English Standard Version
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.
George Lamsa Translation
But Moses hands became tired; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat upon it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, the one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
Good News Translation
When Moses' arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down.
Christian Standard Bible®
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.
Literal Translation
And the hands of Moses became heavy. And they took a stone and put it under him. And he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one from this and one from that side . And his hands were steady until the going ofthe sun.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But Moses hades were heuy, therfore toke they a stone, & layed it vnder him, that he might syt vpon it. And Aaron & Hur stayed vp his hades, the one vpon the one syde, and the other vpon ye other syde. So his handes were stedfast vnto ye Sonne wente downe.
American Standard Version
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.
Bible in Basic English
But Moses' hands became tired; so they put a stone under him and he took his seat on it, Aaron and Hur supporting his hands, one on one side and one on the other; so his hands were kept up without falling till the sun went down.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But Moyses hands were heauie, and therfore they toke a stone and put it vnder him, and he sat downe theron: and Aaron and Hur stayed vp his handes, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side: And his handes remayned stedye, vntill the goyng downe of the sunne.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
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.
King James Version (1611)
But Moses hands were heauie, and they tooke a stone, and put it vnder him, and he sate thereon: and Aaron and Hur stayed vp his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side, and his handes were steady vntill the going downe of the Sunne.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
But the hands of Moses were heavy, and they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat upon it; and Aaron and Or supported his hands one on this side and the other on that, and the hands of Moses were supported till the going down of the sun.
English Revised Version
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.
Berean Standard Bible
When Moses' hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Sotheli `the hondis of Moises weren heuy, therfor thei token a stoon, and puttide vndir hym, in which stoon he sat. Forsothe Aaron and Hur susteyneden hise hondis, on euer eithir side; and it was don, that hise hondis weren not maad weri, til to the goyng down of the sunne.
Young's Literal Translation
And the hands of Moses [are] heavy, and they take a stone, and set [it] under him, and he sitteth on it: and Aaron and Hur have taken hold on his hands, on this side one, and on that one, and his hands are stedfast till the going in of the sun;
Update Bible Version
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.
Webster's Bible Translation
But Moses's hands [were] heavy; and they took a stone, and put [it] under him, and he sat upon it: and Aaron and Hur supported 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.
World English Bible
But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. His hands were steady until sunset.
New King James Version
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.
New Living Translation
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.
New Life Bible
Moses' hands became tired. So they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on each side. His hands did not move until the sun went down.
New Revised Standard
But Moses' hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. 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 sun set.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, the hands of Moses, were weary, so they took a stone, and put under him, and he sat thereupon, - and, Aaron and Hur, upheld his hands - on this side, one and on that side, one, and so his hands became steady, until the going in of the sun.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Moses’s hands were heavy: so they took a stone, and put under him, and he sat on it: and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands on both sides. And it came to pass, that his hands were not weary until sunset.
Revised Standard Version
But Moses' hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat upon it, and 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.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But Moses' hands were heavy. Then 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. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.

Contextual Overview

8 When the Israelites were at Rephidim, they were attacked by the Amalekites. 9 So Moses told Joshua, "Have some men ready to attack the Amalekites tomorrow. I will stand on a hilltop, holding this walking stick that has the power of God." 10 Joshua led the attack as Moses had commanded, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur stood on the hilltop. 11 The Israelites out-fought the Amalekites as long as Moses held up his arms, but they started losing whenever he had to lower them. 12 Finally, Moses was so tired that Aaron and Hur got a rock for him to sit on. Then they stood beside him and supported his arms in the same position until sunset. 13 That's how Joshua defeated the Amalekites. 14 Afterwards, the Lord said to Moses, "Write an account of this victory and read it to Joshua. I want the Amalekites to be forgotten forever." 15 Moses built an altar and named it "The Lord Gives Me Victory." 16 Then Moses explained, "This is because I depended on the Lord . But in future generations, the Lord will have to fight the Amalekites again."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Moses' hands: Matthew 26:40-45, Mark 14:37-40, Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:2

stayed up his hands: Psalms 35:3, Isaiah 35:3, 2 Corinthians 1:11, Philippians 1:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:25, Hebrews 12:12, James 1:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 17:10 - Hur Exodus 24:14 - Hur Joshua 8:26 - drew not

Cross-References

Genesis 17:22
God finished speaking to Abraham and then left.
Genesis 17:23
On that same day Abraham obeyed God by circumcising Ishmael. Abraham was also circumcised, and so were all other men and boys in his household, including his servants and slaves. He was ninety-nine years old at the time, and his son Ishmael was thirteen.
Genesis 21:4
and when the boy was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, just as the Lord had commanded.
Leviticus 12:3
Her son must be circumcised on the eighth day,
Luke 1:59
Eight days later they did for the child what the Law of Moses commands. They were going to name him Zechariah, after his father.
Luke 2:21
Eight days later Jesus' parents did for him what the Law of Moses commands. And they named him Jesus, just as the angel had told Mary when he promised she would have a baby.
Acts 7:8
God said to Abraham, "Every son in each family must be circumcised to show that you have kept your agreement with me." So when Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him. Later, Isaac circumcised his son Jacob, and Jacob circumcised his twelve sons.
Romans 2:28
Just because you live like a Jew and are circumcised doesn't make you a real Jew.
Philippians 3:5
I was circumcised when I was eight days old, and I am from the nation of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a true Hebrew. As a Pharisee, I strictly obeyed the Law of Moses.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But Moses's hands were heavy,.... And hung down through weariness, holding up the rod first in one hand, and then in another, for so long a time; and thus sometimes, through infirmity, the best of men grow remiss in prayer, their hands are weak and hang flown through the corruptions of their hearts, the power of unbelief, the temptations of Satan, and want of immediate answers of prayer, or through long delays of it, and then the enemy gets an advantage over them:

and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; so that it seems not only that his hands were heavy, but he could not well stand on his feet any longer, being a corpulent man as well as in years, as Ben Gersom suggests; and therefore Aaron and Hur took a stone that lay on the mount for him to sit upon, where he might be raised as high, and be as well seen, as standing: this stone may be an emblem of Christ the stone of Israel, the foundation of his people, their prop and support, which sustains and upholds them, their Ebenezer, or stone of help in all their times of difficulty and distress:

and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; the one was on his right, and the other on his left; and when the rod was in his right hand, he that was on that side held up that; and when it was in his left hand, he that was on the left side supported that: these may be an emblem of Christ, and of the Spirit of Christ, from whom the saints have their supports and assistance in prayer: Aaron the priest may represent Christ, from whose blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, and from whose advocacy, mediation, and intercession, the people of God receive much encouragement and strength in their addresses at the throne of grace: and Hur, who has his name from a word which signifies freedom and liberty, may be an emblem of the Holy Spirit of God; who helps the saints in prayer under all their infirmities, and makes intercession for them, by filling their hearts and mouths with arguments, and is a free spirit to them; by whom they are upheld, and where he is there is liberty, and a soul can come forth in prayer to God, and in the exercise of grace with freedom:

and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun; when the victory was decided in favour of Israel; this may denote steadiness of faith in prayer, the constant performance of it, and continuance in it as long as a man lives.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Until the going down of the sun - The length of this first great battle indicates the strength and obstinacy of the assailants. It was no mere raid of Bedouins, but a deliberate attack of the Amalekites, who had been probably thoroughly trained in warfare by their struggles with Egypt.


 
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