Keraia
Exodus 17

Exodus 17:2

Water from the Rock · Exodus 17:1–7
Read Exodus 17

Translations

Modern
So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?”
Traditional
Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?
Literal
And the people contended with Moses and said, “Give to us water, that we may drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you test YHWH?”
Latin
Qui jurgatus contra Moysen, ait: Da nobis aquam, ut bibamus. Quibus respondit Moyses: Quid jurgamini contra me? cur tentatis Dominum?

Original

Hebrew
English
So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?”

Notes

Exodus 17:2

test the LORD: This is explained in 17:7. The people doubted that God was with them. They questioned whether he cared for them. They demanded proof that he was present and would help them.

There is a kind of testing that comes from faith. A person may believe, yet still struggle with doubt (“I do believe; help my unbelief,” Mark 9:24). This is a humble request for help.

But there is also a test that comes from unbelief (“so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do?” John 6:30). They wanted proof before they would trust him.

A test based on doubt puts God on trial. It treats God as if he must prove himself to us. It places us in the position of judge and God in the position of the one being judged.

Exodus 15:22–18:27

On the journey from the sea to Mount Sinai, God continued to care for the people's needs. During the events where he rescued them, he showed his power. Here, he showed that he cares about their basic needs.

Events

Parallels

Numbers 20:1–13

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Aaron’s Rod Amalek, Amalekites Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Moses Rephidim

Topics

Backsliders: Israel's Backsliding: At Meribah Blessing: Temporal, from God in Egypt: Water Ingratitude: Israelites to Moses Israel: Complained for Lack of Water at Rephidim Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Rephidim: Murmuring for Water Meekness: Moses Meribah: A Place in Rephidim, where Moses Struck a Rock and Brought Forth Water Moses: People Complain Against Moses and Aaron Murmuring: Israelites Murmuring: Tempts God Presumption: Complaining at Meribah Rocks: Horeb in Rephidim Trouble: About Water Water: The Want of, Considered a Great Calamity