But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. His hands were steady until sunset.
Parallel translations
- KJV But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
- BSB When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.
- NKJV But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
- NASB And Moses’ hands were heavy. So they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. So his hands were steady until the sun set.
- NLT Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
As Moses' hands grew heavy, Aaron and Hur supported them on each side until sunset. Faithful companions sustained the intercession that brought victory.
Overview
Moses' weariness shows the human limits of even God's chosen leader, while Aaron and Hur's help models the body of God's people upholding one another. The steadied hands ensured Israel's continued advantage throughout the day. This picture of shared burden-bearing illustrates the church's calling to strengthen one another in prayer and faith (Gal. 6:2).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Isa 35:3Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
- Phil 1:19For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
- Heb 12:12Therefore lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees,
- Eph 6:18with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:
- 2 Cor 1:11you also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift given to us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf.
- Mark 14:37–40He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you watch one hour?
- 1 Th 5:25Brothers, pray for us.
- Jas 1:6But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.
- Ps 35:3Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me. Tell my soul, “I am your salvation.”
- Col 4:2Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;
- Matt 26:40–45He came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?
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Christ at the center
The Passover lamb whose blood turns away death, the exodus through the sea, the manna, the rock, and the tabernacle where God dwells with his people all foreshadow Jesus — our Passover, our redemption, the bread from heaven, and God-with-us in the flesh.
How Exodus 17:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.