12 But Moses' H4872 hands H3027 were heavy; H3515 and they took H3947 a stone, H68 and put H7760 it under him, and he sat H3427 thereon; and Aaron H175 and Hur H2354 stayed up H8551 his hands, H3027 the one on the one side, H259 and the other on the other side; H259 and his hands H3027 were steady H530 until the going down H935 of the sun. H8121
Strengthen H2388 ye the weak H7504 hands, H3027 and confirm H553 the feeble H3782 knees. H1290
For G1063 I know G1492 that G3754 this G5124 shall turn G576 to G1519 my G3427 salvation G4991 through G1223 your G5216 prayer, G1162 and G2532 the supply G2024 of the Spirit G4151 of Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547
And G2532 he cometh G2064 unto G4314 the disciples, G3101 and G2532 findeth G2147 them G846 asleep, G2518 and G2532 saith G3004 unto Peter, G4074 What, G3779 could ye G2480 not G3756 watch G1127 with G3326 me G1700 one G3391 hour? G5610 Watch G1127 and G2532 pray, G4336 that G3363 ye enter G1525 not G3363 into G1519 temptation: G3986 the spirit G4151 indeed G3303 is willing, G4289 but G1161 the flesh G4561 is weak. G772 He went away G565 again G3825 the G1537 second time, G1208 and prayed, G4336 saying, G3004 O my G3450 Father, G3962 if G1487 this G5124 cup G4221 may G1410 not G3756 pass away G3928 from G575 me, G1700 except G3362 I drink G4095 it, G846 thy G4675 will G2307 be done. G1096 And G2532 he came G2064 and found G2147 them G846 asleep G2518 again: G3825 for G1063 their G846 eyes G3788 were G2258 heavy. G916 And G2532 he left G863 them, G846 and went away G565 again, G3825 and prayed G4336 G1537 the third time, G5154 saying G2036 the same G846 words. G3056 Then G5119 cometh he G2064 to G4314 his G846 disciples, G3101 and G2532 saith G3004 unto them, G846 Sleep on G2518 now, G3063 and G2532 take your rest: G373 behold, G2400 the hour G5610 is at hand, G1448 and G2532 the Son G5207 of man G444 is betrayed G3860 into G1519 the hands G5495 of sinners. G268
And G2532 he cometh, G2064 and G2532 findeth G2147 them G846 sleeping, G2518 and G2532 saith G3004 unto Peter, G4074 Simon, G4613 sleepest thou? G2518 couldest G2480 not G3756 thou watch G1127 one G3391 hour? G5610 Watch ye G1127 and G2532 pray, G4336 lest G3363 ye enter G1525 into G1519 temptation. G3986 The spirit G4151 truly G3303 is ready, G4289 but G1161 the flesh G4561 is weak. G772 And G2532 again G3825 he went away, G565 and prayed, G4336 and spake G2036 the same G846 words. G3056 And G2532 when he returned, G5290 he found G2147 them G846 asleep G2518 again, G3825 (for G1063 their G846 eyes G3788 were G2258 heavy,) G916 neither G2532 G3756 wist they G1492 what G5101 to answer G611 him. G846
Praying G4336 always G1722 G2540 G3956 with G1223 all G3956 prayer G4335 and G2532 supplication G1162 in G1722 the Spirit, G4151 and G2532 watching G69 thereunto G1519 G5124 G846 with G1722 all G3956 perseverance G4343 and G2532 supplication G1162 for G4012 all G3956 saints; G40
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Exodus 17
Commentary on Exodus 17 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 17
Ex 17:1-7. The People Murmur for Water.
1. the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin—In the succinct annals of this book, those places only are selected for particular notice by the inspired historian, which were scenes memorable for their happy or painful interest in the history of the Israelites. A more detailed itinerary is given in the later books of Moses, and we find that here two stations are omitted (Nu 33:1-56).
according to the commandment of the Lord, &c.—not given in oracular response, nor a vision of the night, but indicated by the movement of the cloudy pillar. The same phraseology occurs elsewhere (Nu 9:18, 19).
pitched in Rephidim—now believed, on good grounds, to be Wady Feiran, which is exactly a day's march from Mount Sinai, and at the entrance of the Horeb district. It is a long circuitous defile about forty feet in breadth, with perpendicular granite rocks on both sides. The wilderness of Sin through which they approached to this valley is very barren, has an extremely dry and thirsty aspect, little or no water, scarcely even a dwarfish shrub to be seen, and the only shelter to the panting pilgrims is under the shadow of the great overhanging cliffs.
2, 3. the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink, &c.—The want of water was a privation, the severity of which we cannot estimate, and it was a great trial to the Israelites, but their conduct on this new occasion was outrageous; it amounted even to "a tempting of the Lord." It was an opposition to His minister, a distrust of His care, an indifference to His kindness, an unbelief in His providence, a trying of His patience and fatherly forbearance.
4. Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people?—His language, instead of betraying any signs of resentment or vindictive imprecation on a people who had given him a cruel and unmerited treatment, was the expression of an anxious wish to know what was the best to be done in the circumstances (compare Mt 5:44; Ro 12:21).
5. the Lord said unto Moses, &c.—not to smite the rebels, but the rock; not to bring a stream of blood from the breast of the offenders, but a stream of water from the granite cliffs. The cloud rested on a particular rock, just as the star rested on the house where the infant Saviour was lodged [Mt 2:9]. And from the rod-smitten rock there forthwith gushed a current of pure and refreshing water. It was perhaps the greatest miracle performed by Moses, and in many respects bore a resemblance to the greatest of Christ's: being done without ostentation and in the presence of a few chosen witnesses (1Co 10:4).
7. called the name of the place—Massah ("temptation"); Meribah ("chiding," "strife"): the same word which is rendered "provocation" (Heb 3:8).
Ex 17:8-16. Attack of Amalek.
8. Then came Amalek—Some time probably elapsed before they were exposed to this new evil; and the presumption of there being such an interval affords the only ground on which we can satisfactorily account for the altered, the better, and former spirit that animated the people in this sudden contest. The miracles of the manna and the water from the rock had produced a deep impression and permanent conviction that God was indeed among them; and with feelings elevated by the conscious experience of the Divine Presence and aid, they remained calm, resolute, and courageous under the attack of their unexpected foe.
fought with Israel—The language implies that no occasion had been furnished for this attack; but, as descendants of Esau, the Amalekites entertained a deep-seated grudge against them, especially as the rapid prosperity and marvellous experience of Israel showed that the blessing contained in the birthright was taking effect. It seems to have been a mean, dastardly, insidious surprise on the rear (Nu 24:20; De 25:17), and an impious defiance of God.
9. Moses said unto Joshua—or, "Jesus" (Ac 7:45; Heb 4:8). This is the earliest notice of a young warrior destined to act a prominent part in the history of Israel. He went with a number of picked men. There is not here a wide open plain on which the battle took place, as according to the rules of modern warfare. The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe, making an irregular attack on a multitude probably not better trained than themselves, and for such a conflict the low hills and open country around this wady would afford ample space [Robinson].
10-12. Moses … went up … the hill … held up his hand—with the wonder-working rod; Moses acted as the standard bearer of Israel, and also their intercessor, praying for success and victory to crown their arms—the earnestness of his feelings being conspicuously evinced amid the feebleness of nature.
13. Joshua discomfited Amalek—Victory at length decided in favor of Israel, and the glory of the victory, by an act of national piety, was ascribed to God (compare 1Jo 5:4).
14-16. Write this for a memorial—If the bloody character of this statute seems to be at variance with the mild and merciful character of God, the reasons are to be sought in the deep and implacable vengeance they meditated against Israel (Ps 83:4).