World at War / Conflicts / Wars of Scripture
Wars of Scripture
Battle of Rephidim
1446 BC
Sinai
Status: ended
Casualties: Unknown
The first battle of Israel as a nation. Joshua led the host while Moses, with Aaron and Hur supporting his arms, held the rod of God upon the hilltop. Israel prevailed so long as Moses' hands were lifted. Exodus 17 — and the Lord swore perpetual war with Amalek.
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Belligerents
- Israel under Joshua
- Amalek
Casualties
Unknown
Key events
- Moses sits on a stone; Aaron and Hur hold up his hands until sundown
- Joshua discomfits Amalek with the edge of the sword
- The Lord swears war with Amalek from generation to generation
Aftermath
First battle of the nation; first command of Joshua; first altar called Jehovah-Nissi ('the Lord is my banner'). The vow against Amalek echoes through Saul, David, and Esther.
Weapons & matériel
- The rod of God held aloft
- Sword of Joshua
Sources
- Exodus 17:8–16
- Deuteronomy 25:17–19
- 1 Samuel 15
From World at War, an interactive atlas by Jairus Pereira.
Figures are approximate, drawn from Wikipedia, UCDP, ACLED and academic sources — a design
artefact, not an authoritative register. Contact.