Numbers 20:11

Translations

Modern

Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink.

Traditional

And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

Literal

And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his rod twice. And abundant water came out, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.

Latin

Cumque elevasset Moyses manum, percutiens virga bis silicem, egressæ sunt aquæ largissimæ, ita ut populus biberet et jumenta.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink.

Notes

Numbers 20:10–12

Instead of obeying God's instructions with respect, Moses criticized the people (Must we bring you water out of this rock?). Moses then hit the rock twice with his staff (20:11). God considered the words and actions of Moses as a serious lack of faith. Moses "spoke rashly" (Psalm 106:32–33; compare James 1:20). Moses did not trust God enough to show God’s holiness to the people.

God had told Moses exactly what to do. By acting differently, Moses showed a lack of faith that God would provide for his people. His angry words also revealed this lack of trust.

The Lord requires obedience and faith. Anything less dishonors his holy character (Numbers 20:24; 27:14). Such a serious lack of obedience and faith led to the same outcome as earlier (14:20–23; see also 1 Corinthians 10:4–12).

Numbers 20:2–13

The people of Israel complained again about not having water and food (compare 11:4–35; 21:4–5; Exodus 15:22–25). So, Moses and Aaron disobeyed the Lord. As a result, they lost the privilege of entering the promised land.

Theme notes and profiles

Aaron Eleazar Moses

Related verses

1 Corinthians 10:4
…and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.
Exodus 17:6
Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. And when you strike the rock, water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Deuteronomy 8:15
He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint.
Numbers 20:8
“Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.”
1 Chronicles 15:13
It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.”
Hosea 13:5
I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.
James 1:20
…for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.
1 Samuel 15:24
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
Psalm 78:16
He brought streams from the stone and made water flow down like rivers.
Matthew 28:20
…and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Leviticus 10:1
Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command.
1 Chronicles 15:2
Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.”

Parallels

Exodus 17:1–7

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Aaron Deuteronomy, Book of Kadesh, Kadesh-Barnea Mount Hor Numbers, Book of Wilderness of Zin Wilderness Wanderings

Topics

Aaron: His Presumption, when the Rock is Smitten Anger: Moses, Toward Pharaoh Anger: Sinful: Moses Blessing: Temporal, from God in Egypt: Water Desert, Journey of Israel Through The: Moses Striking the Rock Instead of Speaking to It, Disobeys Disobedience to God: Moses Disobedience to God: when he Struck the Rock God: Supplying Water at Meribah Israel: Complain for Lack of Water in Meribah; the Rock is Struck Miracles Wrought Through Servants of God: Moses and Aaron: Water from Rock in Kadesh Miracles: Catalogue of Water from the Rock in Kadesh Rashness: when he Struck the Rock Rocks: Meribah in Kadesh Rocks: Miracles Connected With: Water Brought From Trouble: About Water Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Rock Water: Miraculously Supplied: To the Israelites

Numbers 20:11

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