The term "hindmost" is used in the Bible to describe something that is last or at the rear. It is often used in a literal sense to refer to the position of people, animals, or objects in a sequence or procession. The concept of being "hindmost" can also carry metaphorical implications, suggesting a position of lesser importance or vulnerability.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 33:2 : "He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear." In this passage, Jacob arranges his family in a specific order as he prepares to meet Esau. Rachel and Joseph, being the most cherished, are placed in the hindmost position, possibly for protection.

2. Deuteronomy 25:17-18 : "Remember what the Amalekites did to you along your way from Egypt, how they met you on your journey and attacked all your stragglers at the rear, when you were tired and weary. They had no fear of God." Here, the Amalekites attacked the Israelites' hindmost, or rear, which consisted of those who were lagging behind due to fatigue. This act is condemned as cowardly and godless.

3. 1 Samuel 30:1-2 : "When David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it down, and had taken captive the women and all who were in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way." Although the term "hindmost" is not explicitly used here, the concept is evident as the Amalekites exploit the vulnerability of those left behind.

Theological Implications:

The use of "hindmost" in Scripture often highlights themes of protection, vulnerability, and divine justice. In Genesis 33:2, Jacob's arrangement of his family underscores the protective instincts of a patriarch, placing those he loves most in the safest position. Conversely, the attack on the hindmost by the Amalekites in Deuteronomy 25:17-18 illustrates a lack of fear of God and a violation of moral conduct, as they preyed on the weak and defenseless.

The biblical narrative frequently emphasizes God's concern for the vulnerable and His call for justice. The Amalekites' actions against the hindmost are remembered as a transgression that demands divine retribution, as seen in the command to remember and ultimately blot out the memory of Amalek (Deuteronomy 25:19).

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the rear of a traveling group was often the most vulnerable. It was common for the elderly, women, children, and those who were weak or ill to lag behind, making them easy targets for enemies. This context helps to understand the strategic and moral implications of attacks on the hindmost.

Moral and Ethical Lessons:

The biblical references to the hindmost serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting the vulnerable within a community. They also highlight the moral responsibility to act justly and to fear God, recognizing that actions against the defenseless are seen as particularly egregious in the eyes of the Lord. The narrative encourages believers to uphold justice and mercy, reflecting God's character in their treatment of others.(a.) Furthest toward the rear; last; back.4403. prumna -- the stern (of a ship)
... Word Origin fem. of prumnos (the hindmost) Definition the stern (of a ship)
NASB Word Usage stern (3). stern, hinder part. Feminine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4403.htm - 6k2179. zinneb -- to cut off or smite the tail
... curtail, smite the hindmost. A primitive root meaning to wag; used only as a
denominative from zanab; to curtail, ie Cut off the rear -- smite the hindmost. ...
/hebrew/2179.htm - 6k

What Cestius did against the Jews; and How, Upon his Besieging ...
... retired into the city; but still Simon, the son of Giora, fell upon the backs of
the Romans, as they were ascending up Bethoron, and put the hindmost of the ...
/.../chapter 19 what cestius did.htm

Through the Red Sea
... Not so with the hindmost; they were near the dreaded place from which the army would
descend; ahead of them was a deliberate host; within them, soul-consuming ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlv through the red.htm

Sowing and Reaping
... Take Amalek: "Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth
out of Egypt; how he met thee, by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee ...
/.../moody/sowing and reaping/chapter i sowing and reaping.htm

The Earth Brings Forth, as if by Suppuration...
... And yet to smite with the tail"which tail will be whatever is prolonged from the
hindmost part of the body, and scourges"is the one movement which they all ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter i the earth brings.htm

The Same Subject Continued.
... did I judge to know anything among you but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." [839]
And, "(I think) God hath selected us the apostles (as) hindmost, like men ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xiv the same subject continued.htm

The Last Few Decades have Been Marked by a Special Cultivation of ...
... The charge of the modern armaments is not a charge at all. It is a rout, a retreat,
a flight from the devil, who will catch the hindmost. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 4 the last few.htm

The War of Truth
... These people, excited by the hope of spoil, fell suddenly upon the rear of the children
of Israel, smote the hindmost of them in a most cowardly manner, took ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the war of truth.htm

1 Cor. Iii. 3-Jan
... to spiritual things to be even contrary unto us: or if it be on account of things
spiritual, in these, too, ye come short and have your place among the hindmost ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily viii 1 cor iii.htm

Making Haste to be Rich.
... It now reads, 'Every man for himself, and the d""l take the hindmost!' I hear this
too often unblushingly avowed, but see it much oftener acted out, all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/making haste to be rich.htm

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who ...
... The hindmost followed the first, not knowing whither they went[734] or what
had happened; for they had not all heard the men who spoke. ...
/.../chapter vii he does battle.htm

Hindmost (6 Occurrences)
...Hindmost (6 Occurrences). Genesis 33:2 and he put the maidservants and their children
foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindmost. ...
/h/hindmost.htm - 8k

Rear (46 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) Early; soon. 2. (n.) The back or hindmost part;
that which is behind, or last in order; -- opposed to front. ...
/r/rear.htm - 21k

Lagging (2 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 25:18 how he met you by the way, and struck the hindmost of you, all
who were feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary; and he didn't fear ...
/l/lagging.htm - 7k

Last (1087 Occurrences)
... a.) Being after all the others, similarly classed or considered, in time, place,
or order of succession; following all the rest; final; hindmost; farthest; as ...
/l/last.htm - 18k

Lagged (1 Occurrence)
... Deuteronomy 25:18 how he met thee on the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, all
the feeble that lagged behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary, and he ...
/l/lagged.htm - 6k

Worn (29 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 25:18 how he met you by the way, and struck the hindmost of you, all
who were feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary; and he didn't fear ...
/w/worn.htm - 14k

Weary (77 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 25:18 how he met you by the way, and struck the hindmost of you, all
who were feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary; and he didn't fear ...
/w/weary.htm - 29k

Tail (16 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The hindmost appendage of an animal. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TAIL. tal ('alyah; zanabh; oura ...
/t/tail.htm - 13k

Enfeebled (3 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 25:18 how he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, all
that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared ...
/e/enfeebled.htm - 7k

Maidservants (28 Occurrences)
... Genesis 33:2 and he put the maidservants and their children foremost, and Leah and
her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindmost. (DBY NIV). ...
/m/maidservants.htm - 15k

Hindmost: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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