Posted ByNeal Walters on June 06, 1999 at 23:56:43:
In Reply to: Ancient Pretentious Snobbery posted byJoshua Daniels on May 31, 1999 at 11:07:43:
: Here's a fun thought that occurred to me when I first learned the meaning of the phrase, "HaMalek," meaning, "The King," as in "Dovid HaMalek," "King David."
: Might "Amalek" have been an ancient play on words to indulge in a little pretentious snobbery? The "Sons of Amalek," a nation that gave Israel fits off and on, may have called themselves that intending it to be taken as "Sons of the King," as in "We're WAY better than you peasants, so knuckle under."
: Hmmmm???
Reply---
Interesting observation - but I don't think it's quite on target.
First - its "MELECH" with the gutteral CHAF sound and "AMALAQ" with the QOF sound (sounds just like a K).
Second - The Amalekites existed way before Israel had any kings.
However, Rabbi's often play similar games with words - so you might be on to something.
Here's the meaning of Amalek from Thayer/BDB:
H6002 qlem'[] `Amaleq {am-aw-lake'} ¤ probably of foreign origin;; n pr m ¤ AV -
Amalek 24, Amalekites 15; 39 ¤ Amalek = "dweller in a valley" 1) son of Eliphaz by
his concubine Timnah, grandson of Esau, and progenitor of a race of people in
southern Canaan 2) descendants of Amalek
And, by the way - Amalekites plural in hebrew are referred to as ha-Amaleqi.
There are some extremely fascinating studies on Amalek. I've got a great one that takes about 2-3 hours to cover - maybe I'll post in one day.
One interesting note: Haman (in the story of Ester) was a descenant of Agag (the Amalekite!).
Had Saul killed all the Amalekites like he was supposed to, then Haman would not have existed, and thus not tried to wipe out all of Jews.
One of the 613 Jewish Mitzvot (instructions) is to remember Amalek. Deut 25:17
Neal