which name was given both for a memoriall of their sinne, and a warning to generations follow∣ing, that they should not tempt the Lord, as they tempted him in Massah, Deut. 6. 16. Psal. 95. 8. 9. Heb. 3. 8 9. Meri••ah,] that is, Contention, or, ••itter ehiding, and so provocation to anger: which therefore the Holy Ghost calleth in Greeke Para∣〈…〉〈…〉, that is, Provocation, or bitter contention: which here was with Moses v. 2. and not so much with him, as with the Lord himselfe, Exod. 16. 8. Num. 20. 2. 13. Heb. 3. 8. 9. Is Iehovah, &c.] that is, the gracious presence of Iehovah, and testi∣mony thereof: or, are we deluded by Moses? The Chaldee explaineth it thus; Doth the Majestie of the Lord dwell among us, or not? Of this they would be confirmed by some signe or miracle, which was to tempt God; whose presence and power they had so often seene.
Vers. 8. Amalek] the Amalekites, the posteritie [unspec 3] of Amalek, a Duke of Eliphaz, the sonne of Esau, the brother of Israel, Gen. 36. 15 16. This was the first of the nations, who warring against Israel, pro∣cured their owne utter destruction, Numbers 24. 20. Deuteronomie 25. 19. 1 Sam. 15. 2. 3. But for Israels sinne, came this chastisement upon them; as the Iewes themselves acknowledged, saying, After they had passed through the sea, they murmured for waters: then came against them, the wicked Ama∣lek, who hated them for the first birth right and bles∣sing, which our father Iakob had taken from Esau; and he came and fought against Israel, because they had vio∣lated the words of the law, &c. Thargum on Song 2. 15. fought,] or, warred; but treacherously: for hee smote the hindmost of Israel, even all that were seeble behinde them, when they were saint and weary, and bee feared not God, Deut. 25. 18.
Vers. 9. Ioshuah] or, Iesus: in Hebrew Iehoshuah, [unspec 9] whom the Holy Ghost calleth in Greeke Iesus, Acts 7. 45. Heb. 4. 8. Hee was first called Hoseas. and Moses called his name Iesus, that is, Saviour, Num. 13. 17. Hee was a figure of Iesus Christ the Saviour of the world, both in his name and acti∣ons, fighting the battels of the Lord, and bringing his people into Canaan: hee was the minister or servant of Moses, and his successor in the govern∣ment of Israel, Exodus 24. 13. Numbers 27. 18.—23. Deuteronomie 34. 9. Ios. 1. &c. the top] Hebr. the head of the hill: so in vers. 10. There Mo∣ses holding up his rod as an ensigne, might be seene of the people, for the strengthning of their faith. Compare Ios. 8. 18. 19. rod of God:] the Chaldee expoundeth it, the rod wherewith miracles have beene done from before the Lord. Of it, see Exod. 4. 20. and 7. 9. &c.
Vers. 10. to fight] that is, as the Greeke explai∣neth, [unspec] it, and fought. See the notes on Genes. 2. 3. A like phrase also is in Numb. 18. 22. Deut. 2. 16. 1 King. 12. 33. The Hebrew text sometime mani∣festeth this; as to build, 1 Chron. 14. 1. for which in 2 Sam. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 11. is written, and they built. To say, (or, Saying) 1 Chronicles 13. 12. for which in 2 Sam. 6. 9. is written, and said. So in 1 Chronicles 34. 16. compared with 2 Kings 22. 9. Hur] or Chur: called in Greeke Oar, hee was a Prince of the Tribe of Iudah, being the sonne of Caleb, the son of Ezron, the sonne of Pharez, the sonne of Iudah, 1 Chronicles 2. 5. 9. 18. 19. This Hur was also left with Aaron to judge controversies, when Moses went up unto GOD, upon mount Sinai, Exodus 24. 14. His sonnes sonne B••••aleel, was the master workeman of the Lords tabernacle, Exod. 31. 2.—5.
Vers. 11. held up,] or, held al••ft his hand with the [unspec 11] rod of God in it, for a signe of Gods power and helpe unto his people; and consequently, praying unto God for assistance; as the lifting up of the hands also signifieth, Psal. 28. 2. And so the Thar∣gum Ierusalemy explaineth it, when Moses held up his hands in prayer, the house of Israel prevailed; and when he let downe his hands from prayer, the house of Amalek prevailed. Hand is here for hands as the Greeke translateth, and the verse following ma∣nifesteth.
Vers. 12. heavy:] that he could not continue to [unspec 12] hold them up: a signe of mans infirmities, not a∣ble to indure long in spirituall exercises. The spi∣rit is willing, but the flesh is weake, Matth. 26. 41. 43. See also Luke 18. 1. Rom. 12 12. a stone:] under this similitude of a stone. Christ is often sig∣nified, Esay. 28. 16. Psalme 118. 22. Zacharie 3. 9. 1 Pet. 2. 4. upon whom our weake faith is sustai∣ned in prayer, and by whose spirit our infirmities are holpen, Ioh. 14. 13. 14. 16. 17 Romans 8. 26. were steadie] Hebr. was steadinesse, (or faith fulnesse.) And here the force of the Hebrew word amunah, which signifieth faith, is shewed to bee a steadie or firme perswasion in the promises of God: and that which is most necessary in prayer, Matth. 21. 22. Iames 1. 6. 7. and 5. 15. Romans 4. 20. 21. And this phrase his hand was, meaneth that both his hands were steadfast. For steadinesse, the Chaldee saith; Moses hands were spred-out in prayer. going downe] Hebr. going in of the Sunne: which was the end of the day, and withall of the victory and salvation of Israel. So he that indureth to the end, he shall be saved, Matth. 24. 13.
Vers. 13. edge:] Hebr. mouth: which the Greeke [unspec 13] translateth slaughter of the sword: and that phrase the Apostle followeth, in Heb. 11. 37. So in the Greek version of Num. 21. 24. Deut. 13. 15.
Vers. 14. put in the eares,] that is, rehearse it in the [unspec 14] bearing of Iesus; he was to be Moses his successor; and so the charge was to continue successively, till it was accomplished. wiping I will wipe] that is, will utterly wipe (or blot) out. This God perfor∣med by the hands of Israel, to whom hee gave this charge, thou shalt wipe out the remembrance of Amalek, from under the heavens; forget it not, Deuteronomie 25. 19. Whereupon the Hebrew Canons say, Wee are commanded to destroy the remembrance of Amalek, (Deuteronomie 25.) and commanded to remember continually his evill deedes, and his treacherie; to the end to stirre up enmitie against him, &c. and it is unlawfull to forget his enmi∣ty and hatred, Maimony in Misn. treat. of Kings, c. 5. S. 5. This, as it figured the destruction of Antichrist; so the fulfilling of it, is by the Iewes themselves referred to the dayes of Christ: for they say;