במדבר, פרק כ״ד, פסוק כ׳

Balaam turns his prophetic gaze toward Amalek, a nation that embodies a deep, primal hatred toward the Israelites. A sharp contrast emerges between the bold, aggressive beginnings of this people and their ultimate, tragic destruction, tracing an inevitable collision course through history.

The nature of this vision is understood in various ways. Some commentators suggest it was a physical sight, as Balaam stood upon a mountaintop and looked out over their desert encampments [רמב״ן, רשב״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others propose that his vision was entirely mental and prophetic, foreseeing the future disaster that awaited them [רש״י, אבן עזרא, שפתי חכמים, מזרחי, גור אריה], or peering deeply into the roots of their historical lineage [שפתי כהן]. This observation gains even deeper meaning when contrasted with the Kenites, who are mentioned shortly after. Amalek represents the very first nation to wage war against the Israelites, standing in direct opposition to the Kenites, who were the first to show them kindness [דעת זקנים, בכור שור, הדר זקנים].

When Amalek is recognized as the first of nations, it does not imply chronological seniority, as they descended from Esau and were preceded by many others. Rather, the primary approach among commentators is that Amalek was the first people to dare attack the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. In doing so, they acted against all natural logic. They risked their own lives out of a sheer denial of the open divine providence that protected the Israelites, attempting instead to drag the world back into the confines of ordinary nature [העמק דבר, צפנת פענח]. Another perspective views their primary status as a measure of supremacy, importance, and military might. Amalek was considered the foremost power among nations. It was precisely their immense self-confidence that emboldened them to attack, an assault so fierce that it required Moses's prayers and a great miracle from God to secure victory [רמב״ן, שד״ל, רש״ר הירש, אדרת אליהו]. Consequently, they also became the first nation that the Israelites were actively commanded to destroy [אור החיים].

Despite their initial power and prominence, their fate is sealed with a decree of absolute and eternal ruin [נתינה לגר]. While other great empires might lose their dominance yet leave behind surviving populations, the Amalekite nation is destined to be completely erased, leaving no trace in human consciousness [ספורנו, צפנת פענח, רש״ר הירש, העמק דבר]. Furthermore, this eradication will not be the result of a natural historical decline or routine warfare. Instead, it will be an active, deliberate destruction carried out by the Israelites to fulfill the commandment to wipe out their memory [שפתי חכמים, מזרחי, גור אריה].

Regarding when this final destruction takes place, some point to the fierce battles waged by King Saul as the endpoint of Amalek's existence [אבן עזרא, רלב״ג]. However, other commentators explain that Amalek's survival is intricately tied to the spiritual condition of the Israelites and the strength of Amalek's representative angel in heaven. Because of this, Amalek is destined to survive the upheavals of history and remain in the world until the Messianic era. At that time, their heavenly prince will fall, and the nation will be permanently and completely destroyed [אור החיים, פני דוד, רבינו בחיי, אלשיך].