Bible Dictionary
Amalek
Amalek was the son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau, born through Eliphaz’s concubine Timna. He became a chief of Edom and gave his name to the Amalekites.
Definition
Amalek was the son of Eliphaz and Timna, the grandson of Esau, and a chief of Edom. He gave his name to the Amalekite people.
Biblical Usage
Amalek appears in the Edomite genealogies as one of the chiefs of Edom and as a descendant of Esau through Eliphaz.
Historical Background
His mother was Timna, described as a Horite. The sources date him approximately to 1700 BC and connect his lineage with territory occupied by Esau’s descendants.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Dweller in a valley, the son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau (Gen. 36:12; 1 Chr. 1:36); the chief of an Idumean tribe (Gen. 36:16). His mother was a Horite, a tribe whose territory the descendants of Esau had seized.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(dweller in a valley), a son of Eliphaz by his concubine Timnah grandson of Esau, and chieftain (“duke,” Authorized Version) of Edom. (Genesis 36:12,16; 1 Chronicles 1:36) (B.C. about 1700.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>am'-a-lek (`amaleq): The son, by his concubine Timna, of Eliphaz, the eldest son of Esau. He was one of the chiefs (the King James Version dukes) of Edom (Ge 36:12,16). See AMALEKITE.</p>