Exodus Chapter 17 — Water from the Rock and Victory over Amalek
After the Israelites complain about a lack of water at Rephidim, God provides water from a rock, and Israel later defeats the Amalekites in battle.
1All the congregation of the children of Israel traveled from the wilderness of Sin, starting according to the LORD’s commandment, and encamped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink.
2Therefore the people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.”
3The people were thirsty for water there; so the people murmured against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?”
4Moses cried to the LORD, saying, “What shall I do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”
5The LORD said to Moses, “Walk on before the people, and take the elders of Israel with you, and take the rod in your hand with which you struck the Nile, and go.
6Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb. You shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
7He called the name of the place Massah,*Massah means testing. and Meribah,†Meribah means quarreling. because the children of Israel quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us, or not?”
8Then Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
9Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us, and go out to fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with God’s rod in my hand.”
10So Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought with Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. When he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12But Moses’ hands were heavy; so they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. His hands were steady until sunset.
13Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14The LORD said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky.”
15Moses built an altar, and called its name “The LORD our Banner”.‡Or, The LORD Nissi. LORD or GOD in all caps is from the Hebrew יהוה Yahweh except when otherwise noted as being from the short form יה Yah.
16He said, “The LORD§Hebrew: יה Yah has sworn: ‘The LORD*LORD or GOD in all caps is from the Hebrew יהוה Yahweh except when otherwise noted as being from the short form יה Yah. will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.’ ”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Exodus 17:6
“Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb. You shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.”
This verse describes the miraculous provision of water and God's direct presence among the elders.
Exodus 17:12
“But Moses’ hands were heavy; so they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. His hands were steady until sunset.”
This verse highlights the necessity of community support and cooperation to achieve victory.
Chapter Summary
In Exodus Chapter 17, the Israelites travel from the wilderness of Sin to Rephidim, where they find no water. Thirsty and distressed, the people quarrel with Moses, questioning his leadership and God's presence. Moses cries out to the LORD, who instructs him to take the elders and strike a rock at Horeb with his rod. When Moses obeys, water flows out for the people. Moses names the place Massah and Meribah to commemorate the people's testing of God. Soon after, the Amalekites attack Israel. Moses instructs Joshua to lead the defense while he stands on a hill with God's rod. As long as Moses holds up his hands, Israel prevails. When his hands grow heavy, Aaron and Hur support his arms until sunset, ensuring a victory. Moses builds an altar called 'The LORD our Banner' to mark the triumph and God's promise regarding Amalek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moses named the location Massah (meaning 'testing') and Meribah (meaning 'quarreling') because the Israelites had quarreled with him and tested the LORD by asking if He was truly among them.
While Joshua led the soldiers on the battlefield, Aaron and Hur assisted Moses on the hill by supporting his arms when he became exhausted, allowing Israel to maintain their advantage.
The Hebrew name is Jehovah-Nissi. Moses gave this name to the altar he built to signify that God was the rallying point and the source of victory for the Israelite army.
Study Note
The names Massah and Meribah serve as recurring literary motifs in the Hebrew Bible, representing the tension between divine patience and human doubt during the Exodus.
Related Chapters
Numbers Chapter 20
Another instance where Israel complains about water and Moses is commanded to provide it from a rock.
Exodus Chapter 14
The rod of Moses is previously used here to part the Red Sea, demonstrating its role as a tool of divine power.
Deuteronomy Chapter 25
This chapter provides further historical context and commandments regarding the memory of the Amalekite attack.
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