Amalek in the Bible — Who Was Amalek?

Born to Eliphaz and his concubine Timna, making him a grandson of Esau. His descendants, the Amalekites, became one of Israel's most persistent enemies — attacking them at their weakest after the Exodus. God declared perpetual war against Amalek, and Saul lost his kingship partly for failing to fully destroy them.

Themes

Faith Leadership Integrity Strength Genealogy Identity Gratitude Purpose

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Family

Eliphaz Esau Timna

Roles

Ancestor of the Amalekites

Read Their Story

8 chapters across 7 books

1 chronicles

Esau and Seir — The Side Branch1 Chronicles 1:34-42

Amalek is born here from the union of Eliphaz and the Horite woman Timna, establishing the genealogical origin of the Amalekites — the people who attacked Israel from behind in the wilderness and whose destruction God commanded Saul to complete.

Tou Sends a Gift Basket (and David Gives It All to God)1 Chronicles 18:9-11

Amalek is listed here among the nations whose plunder David dedicates to God — the Amalekites were a long-standing enemy whose defeat contributed to the treasury David consecrated.

1 samuel

The Battle (and the "But")1 Samuel 15:4-9

Amalek appears here as the name of the city Saul besieges — the seat of the enemy nation whose annihilation God had commanded, marking the epicenter of the military operation.

2 samuel

Toi Sends a Gift Basket (Smart Move)2 Samuel 8:9-12

Amalek is listed here among the nations David conquered and stripped of wealth — their plunder joins the dedicated treasury that David consecrates entirely to the Lord.

Amalek

Themes

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Read Their Story

1 chronicles

1 samuel

2 samuel

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