Exodus 17:1-7

1 All the congregation of the children of Yisra'el journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, by their journeys, according to the LORD's mitzvah, and encamped in Refidim; but there was no water for the people to drink.

2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moshe, and said, "Give us water to drink." Moshe said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?"

3 The people were thirsty for water there; and the people murmured against Moshe, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Mitzrayim, to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?"

4 Moshe cried to the LORD, saying, "What shall I do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me."

5 The LORD said to Moshe, "Walk on before the people, and take the Zakenim of Yisra'el with you, and take the rod in your hand with which you struck the Nile, and go.

6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horev. You shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." Moshe did so in the sight of the Zakenim of Yisra'el.

7 He called the name of the place Massah, and Merivah, because the children of Yisra'el quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us, or not?"

Exodus 17:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 17

The children of Israel coming to Rephidim, want water, and chide with Moses about it, who, crying to the Lord, is bid to smite the rock, from whence came water for them, and he named the place from their contention with him, Ex 17:1-7 at this place Amalek came and fought with Israel, who, through the prayer of Moses, signified by the holding up of his hands, and by the sword of Joshua, was vanquished, Ex 17:8-13, for the remembrance of which it was ordered to be recorded in a book, and an altar was built with this inscription on it, "Jehovahnissi": it being the will of God that Amalek should be fought with in every generation until utterly destroyed, Ex 17:14-16.