5 And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto Moses, H4872 Go on H5674 before H6440 the people, H5971 and take H3947 with thee of the elders H2205 of Israel; H3478 and thy rod, H4294 wherewith thou smotest H5221 the river, H2975 take H3947 in thine hand, H3027 and go. H1980
And the LORD H3068 spake H559 unto Moses, H4872 Say H559 unto Aaron, H175 Take H3947 thy rod, H4294 and stretch out H5186 thine hand H3027 upon the waters H4325 of Egypt, H4714 upon their streams, H5104 upon their rivers, H2975 and upon their ponds, H98 and upon all their pools H4723 of water, H4325 that they may become blood; H1818 and that there may be blood H1818 throughout all the land H776 of Egypt, H4714 both in vessels of wood, H6086 and in vessels of stone. H68 And Moses H4872 and Aaron H175 did H6213 so, as the LORD H3068 commanded; H6680 and he lifted up H7311 the rod, H4294 and smote H5221 the waters H4325 that were in the river, H2975 in the sight H5869 of Pharaoh, H6547 and in the sight H5869 of his servants; H5650 and all the waters H4325 that were in the river H2975 were turned H2015 to blood. H1818
Take H3947 the rod, H4294 and gather H6950 thou the assembly H5712 together, thou, and Aaron H175 thy brother, H251 and speak H1696 ye unto the rock H5553 before their eyes; H5869 and it shall give forth H5414 his water, H4325 and thou shalt bring forth H3318 to them water H4325 out of the rock: H5553 so thou shalt give H8248 the congregation H5712 and their beasts H1165 drink. H8248 And Moses H4872 took H3947 the rod H4294 from before H6440 the LORD, H3068 as he commanded H6680 him. And Moses H4872 and Aaron H175 gathered H6950 the congregation H6951 together before H6440 the rock, H5553 and he said H559 unto them, Hear H8085 now, ye rebels; H4784 must we fetch H3318 you water H4325 out of this rock? H5553 And Moses H4872 lifted up H7311 his hand, H3027 and with his rod H4294 he smote H5221 the rock H5553 twice: H6471 and the water H4325 came out H3318 abundantly, H7227 and the congregation H5712 drank, H8354 and their beasts H1165 also.
And thou, son H1121 of man, H120 be not afraid H3372 of them, neither be afraid H3372 of their words, H1697 though briers H5621 and thorns H5544 be with thee, and thou dost dwell H3427 among scorpions: H6137 be not afraid H3372 of their words, H1697 nor be dismayed H2865 at their looks, H6440 though they be a rebellious H4805 house. H1004
Save G4133 that G3754 the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 witnesseth G1263 in every G2596 city, G4172 saying G3004 that G3754 bonds G1199 and G2532 afflictions G2347 abide G3306 me. G3165 But G235 none G3762 of these things G3056 move me, G4160 neither G3761 count I G2192 my G3450 life G5590 dear G5093 unto myself, G1683 so G5613 that I might finish G5048 my G3450 course G1408 with G3326 joy, G5479 and G2532 the ministry, G1248 which G3739 I have received G2983 of G3844 the Lord G2962 Jesus, G2424 to testify G1263 the gospel G2098 of the grace G5485 of God. G2316
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).