d their chief men,
both separately and conjointly. The young men he charged to obey their
elders, and the elders to hearken to their leader. So the people were
elevated in their minds, and ready to try their fortune in battle, and
hoped to be thereby at length delivered from all their miseries: nay,
they desired that Moses would immediately lead them against their
enemies without the least delay, that no backwardness might be a
hindrance to their present resolution. So Moses sorted all that were fit
for war into different troops, and set Joshua, the son of Nun, of the
tribe of Ephraim, over them; one that was of great courage, and patient
to undergo labors; of great abilities to understand, and to speak what
was proper; and very serious in the worship of God; and indeed made like
another Moses, a teacher of piety towards God. He also appointed a small
party of the armed men to be near the water, and to take care of the
children, and the women, and of the entire camp. So that whole night
they prepared themselves for the battle; they took their weapons, if any
of them had such as were well made, and attended to their commanders as
ready to rush forth to the battle as soon as Moses should give the word
of command. Moses also kept awake, teaching Joshua after what manner he
should order his camp. But when the day began, Moses called for Joshua
again, and exhorted him to approve himself in deeds such a one as a his
reputation made men expect from him; and to gain glory by the present
expedition, in the opinion of those under him, for his exploits in this
battle. He also gave a particular exhortation to the principal men of
the Hebrews, and encouraged the whole army as it stood armed before him.
And when he had thus animated the army, both by his words and works, and
prepared every thing, he retired to a mountain, and committed the army
to God and to Joshua.

4. So the armies joined battle; and it came to a close fight, hand to
hand, both sides showing great alacrity, and encouraging one another.
And indeed while Moses stretched out his hand towards heaven [7] the
Hebrews were too hard for the Amalekites: but Moses not being able to
sustain his hands thus stretched out, [for as often as he let down his
hands, so often were his own people worsted,] he bade his brother Aaron,
and Hur their sister Miriam's husband, to stand on each side of him, and
take hold of his hands, and not permit his weariness to prevent it, but
to assist