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H6003 · Hebrew · Old Testament
עֲמָלֵקִי
Amaleqi
Adjective (gentilic)
An Amalekite — member of the Amalek clan

Definition

Amaleqi (עֲמָלֵקִי) is the gentilic form identifying an individual as an Amalekite. It appears throughout the historical narratives where Amalekites interact with Israel — from the wilderness encounters to David's battles to the report of the young Amalekite man who brought news of Saul's death (2 Samuel 1:8).

Usage & Theological Significance

The self-identified Amalekite in 2 Samuel 1 who claims to have delivered the killing blow to Saul and brought his crown to David illustrates the theological complexity of the Amalek theme. Whether his account is true or fabricated, David executes him — not as vengeance for Saul, but because he confessed to killing the LORD's anointed. Even a member of Israel's archetypal enemy cannot escape the weight of covenantal accountability.

The gentilic Amaleqi in every occurrence carries this narrative freight — not merely an ethnic label but a signal to readers that the story is entering a zone of spiritual warfare, divine testing, and covenant consequence. Gentilic terms in biblical narrative are rarely neutral.

Key Bible Verses

2 Samuel 1:8 He asked me, 'Who are you?' 'An Amalekite,' I answered. Then he said to me, 'Stand here by me and kill me! I'm in the throes of death, but I'm still alive.'
1 Samuel 30:1 David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag.
Numbers 13:29 The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country.
1 Chronicles 4:43 And they killed the remaining Amalekites who had escaped, and they have lived there to this day.
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other.

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