Library Theodoret Questions on Exodus
Questions on Exodus 34: Why Israel won when Moses’ hands were raised
Why, when Moses’ hands were stretched out, did Israel conquer, and when they were lowered, was it defeated?
By stretching out his hands he fulfilled the type of the One crucified for us. So even in the type the power of the truth was shown: for just as when the servant stretched out his hands Amalek fell, so when the Master stretched out his hands the ranks of the devil were destroyed. And in that war too the namesake of our Savior set up the trophy, receiving that name then, and using the chosen men as fellow-workers, as the Master Christ used the holy apostles as ministers.
Greek: Theodoret of Cyrus, Quaestiones in Octateuchum / Questions on Exodus (CPG 6200.02; cf. Fernández Marcos and Sáenz-Badillos; also PG 80, cols. 225–298). English: study translation for BWAB Library—not the copyrighted Robert C. Hill (CUA Press) translation. The full Questions on Exodus (72 questions) is hosted here.