John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 25:17

"Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way as ye came forth out of Egypt;" — Deuteronomy 25:17 (ASV)

Remember what Amalek did to you. We have seen elsewhere how the Amalekites were the first to make a hostile attack upon the people and attempt to interrupt their journey. Moses also related God's sentence against them, the execution of which he now commands the people.

God then swore that there would be perpetual war against them throughout all ages; and so that His threat would not be thwarted, He appointed His people to take vengeance for their great cruelty and impiety.

For when the Israelites were inflicting no injury or loss on them, it was an act of injustice to make war upon peaceful people traveling to another land without doing any wrong. But humanity was still more grossly violated by them, since they did not spare their own kindred and thus rejected natural affections.

It is plain from Genesis 36:12 that the Amalekites were the descendants of Esau; consequently, they both descended from the same ancestor, Isaac. It is true that this command—that the people should retaliate for an injury done to them—seems hardly in accordance with religion.

I reply that they are not incited to vengeful feelings in these words, but rather they are commanded to punish the sins of Amalek with the same severity as those of the other nations. Indeed, God appears to influence them by personal motives when He recounts the cruelty shown by the Amalekites. However, we must judge the Legislator's intention with reference to His nature, for we know that God cannot approve any angry or hateful passions. Therefore, it is easy to conclude that the command was one that the people could obey with well-regulated zeal.

The primary origin of their crime is specified: namely, because they feared not God. This must not be taken in its ordinary meaning but as expressing that they rebelled against God, as it were, deliberately. For the promise given to Abraham and Isaac could not have been unknown to them. But since Esau, the founder of their race, had lost the right of primogeniture, it happened that they attempted to nullify God’s covenant out of wicked and sacrilegious jealousy. This is why He unites them with the reprobate nations for the same destruction.

The word זנב, zineb, which means to cut off the tail, is equivalent to making an attack on the rear, where the baggage and invalids are usually placed.³⁰⁴

³⁰⁴ Addition in Fr., “., “Dont il s’ensuit, que les Amalechites ont assailli le peuple comme en trahison;” whence it follows that the Amalekites assailed the people treacherously.;” whence it follows that the Amalekites assailed the people treacherously.