AMALEKITES.

a nomadic tribe of uncertain origin, which occupied the peninsula of Sinai and the wilderness intervening between the southern hill-ranges of Palestine and the border of Egypt. (Numbers 13:29; 1 Samuel 15:7; 27:8) Their wealth consisted in flocks and herds. Mention is made of a “town” (1 Samuel 15:5) but their towns could have been little more than stations or nomadic enclosures. The Amalekites first came in contact with the Israelites at Rephidim, but were signally defeated. (Exodus 17:8-16) In union with the Canaanites they again attacked the Israelites on the borders of Palestine, and defeated them near Hormah. (Numbers 14:45) Saul undertook an expedition against them. (1 Samuel 14:48) Their power was thenceforth broken, and they degenerated into a horde of banditti. Their destruction was completed by David. (1 Samuel 30:1-17)

AM'ALEKITES. 1 Sam 15:6. A powerful people of uncertain origin, first mentioned in connection with the invasion of Chedorlaomer. Gen 14:7. They are called, Num 24:20, the first of all the nations. They were signally defeated in a contest with the children of Israel at Rephidim, and for opposing the progress of Israel they became objects of God's judgments. They were afterward defeated and repulsed by Gideon, Jud 7:22, and by Saul, 1 Sam 15, and by David, 1 Sam 30, till at last the word of the Lord was fulfilled to the very letter, and their name was blotted from the earth. 1 Sam 30:17 and 1 Chr 4:43.

AMALEKITES, MOUNT OF THE. Jud 12:15. A mountain or hilly district in Ephraim, probably so named from an early settlement of the Amalekites or a later invasion by them.