Keraia
Numbers 20

Numbers 20:9

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

Translations

Modern
So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he had been commanded.
Traditional
And Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as he commanded him.
Literal
And Moses took the rod from before YHWH, as He had commanded him.
Latin
Tulit igitur Moyses virgam, quæ erat in conspectu Domini, sicut præceperat ei,

Original

Hebrew
English
So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he had been commanded.

Notes

Numbers 20:8–9

Moses placed the staff in front of the ark of the covenant to stop the Israelites from complaining (compare 17:10). The staff represented God's authority given to Moses and Aaron. God's instructions to his representatives are very precise and require exact obedience (compare James 3:1; also see 2 Timothy 2:24–26).

Numbers 20:7–9

God heard Israel’s complaints and accepted them as valid. He did not ignore their concerns.

Then God told Moses to deal with the problem and provide a solution.

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

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

Desert, Journey of Israel Through The: Moses Striking the Rock Instead of Speaking to It, Disobeys God: Supplying Water at Meribah Israel: Complain for Lack of Water in Meribah; the Rock is Struck Miracles: Catalogue of Water from the Rock in Kadesh Rocks: Meribah in Kadesh Trouble: About Water