Numbers 20:2

Water from the Rock · Numbers 20:1–13
Read Numbers 20

Translations

Modern
Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron.
Traditional
And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
Literal
And there was no water for the congregation, and they gathered together against Moses and Aaron.
Latin
Cumque indigeret aqua populus, convenerunt adversum Moysen et Aaron:

Original

Hebrew
English
Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron.

Notes

there was no water: Most of the year, Sinai and the Negev are very hot and dry.

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

Parallels

Exodus 17:1–7

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

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

Topics

Aaron: Murmured Against, by the People Israel: Complain for Lack of Water in Meribah; the Rock is Struck Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin: Second Murmuring for Water Moses: People Complain Against Moses and Aaron Murmuring of Israelites Against Moses Murmuring: Israelites Rocks: Meribah in Kadesh Trouble: About Water Water: The Want of, Considered a Great Calamity