Shemot 15:24

24 So the people murmured against Moshe, saying, Mah nishteh (what shall we drink)?

Shemot 15:24 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 15:24

And the people murmured against Moses
For bringing them into a wilderness where they could find no water fit to drink; saying:

what shall we drink?
what shall we do for drink? where can we drink? this water is not drinkable, and, unless we have something to drink, we, and our wives, and children, and servants, and cattle, must all perish.

Shemot 15:24 In-Context

22 So Moshe brought Yisroel from the Yam Suf, and they went out into the midbar of Shur; and they went shloshet yamim in the midbar, and found no mayim.

23 And when they came to Marah (Bitter Place), they could not drink of the mayim from Marah, for they were marim; therefore the shem of it was called Marah.

24 So the people murmured against Moshe, saying, Mah nishteh (what shall we drink)?

25 And he cried unto Hashem; and Hashem showed him an etz (tree) which when he had cast into the mayim, the waters were made sweet (i.e., potable, fit for drinking); at that place He made for them a chok (statute, requirement, obligation) and a mishpat (divine judgment), and there He tested them,

26 And said, If thou wilt diligently pay heed to the voice of Hashem Eloheicha, and will do that which is yashar in His sight, and will give ear to do His mitzvot, and be shomer over all His chok, I will put none of these machalah (diseases) upon thee, which I put upon the Egyptians; for Ani Adonoi rofecha (I am Hashem that healeth thee). [2Kgs15:5;Amos 4:10]