Exodus 17:1-3

Water From the Rock

1 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.
2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?”
3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”

Exodus 17:1-3 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.

Cross References 9

  • 1. S Exodus 16:1
  • 2. ver 8; Exodus 19:2; Numbers 33:15
  • 3. Numbers 20:5; Numbers 21:5; Numbers 33:14
  • 4. Numbers 20:2; Numbers 33:14; Psalms 107:5
  • 5. S Exodus 14:12
  • 6. Deuteronomy 6:16; Psalms 78:18,41; Psalms 106:14; Matthew 4:7; 1 Corinthians 10:9
  • 7. S Exodus 15:22
  • 8. S Exodus 15:24; Exodus 16:2-3
  • 9. S Exodus 14:11
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