TG
Everything TrueGospel offers, in one place.

Study

Bible Reader Scripture Search Word Study & Lexicon Bible Study Builder Reading Plans Verse Chains

Reference

The Reference Library Topical Index

Learn

True Gospel Institute

Grow & Share

Blog Q&A Sermon Notes Bible Studies Podcast

Community

Community Student Dashboard

About

About Us Support Us Contact Log In Create Free Account
BSB
← Prev Next →

Exodus 17

BSB·16 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Then the wholeכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → congregationעֲדַ֨ת‘ă·ḏaṯ — congregation, assembly, gathered communityH5712 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֧לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → leftוַ֠יִּסְעוּway·yis·‘ū — to journey, set out, departH5265 — Full Word Study → the Desertמִמִּדְבַּר־mim·miḏ·bar- — Desert; wilderness; pasture; speechH4057 — Full Word Study → of Sinסִ֛יןsîn — Sin, Egyptian desert peninsula and townH5512 — Full Word Study →, moving from place to placeלְמַסְעֵיהֶ֖םlə·mas·‘ê·hem — A journey or stage of travelH4550 — Full Word Study → asעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → commandedפִּ֣יpî — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study →. They campedוַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙way·ya·ḥă·nū — to pitch a tent; to camp; to dwellH2583 — Full Word Study → at Rephidimבִּרְפִידִ֔יםbir·p̄î·ḏîm — Resting placesH7508 — Full Word Study →, but there was noוְאֵ֥יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → waterמַ֖יִםma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → for the peopleהָעָֽם׃hā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → to drinkלִשְׁתֹּ֥תliš·tōṯ — to drink; consume liquidH8354 — Full Word Study →. 2So the peopleהָעָם֙hā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → contendedוַיָּ֤רֶבway·yā·reḇ — To contend, strive, dispute, or plead a caseH7378 — Full Word Study → withעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֔הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →, “Giveתְּנוּ־tə·nū- — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → us waterמַ֖יִםma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → to drinkוְנִשְׁתֶּ֑הwə·niš·teh — to drink; consume liquidH8354 — Full Word Study →.” “Whyמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → do you contendתְּרִיבוּן֙tə·rî·ḇūn — To contend, strive, dispute, or plead a caseH7378 — Full Word Study → with meעִמָּדִ֔י‘im·mā·ḏî — With, alongside, in the presence ofH5978 — Full Word Study →?” Mosesמֹשֶׁ֔הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → repliedוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “Whyמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → do you testתְּנַסּ֖וּןtə·nas·sūn — to test, try, or prove by examinationH5254 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →?” 3But the peopleהָעָם֙hā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → thirstedוַיִּצְמָ֨אway·yiṣ·mā — to thirst; to be thirstyH6770 — Full Word Study → for waterלַמַּ֔יִםlam·ma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → thereשָׁ֤םšām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study →, and they grumbledוַיָּ֥לֶןway·yā·len — to lodge, dwell, or remain (overnight or permanently)H3885 — Full Word Study → againstעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֑הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →: “Whyלָ֤מָּהlām·māh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → have you brought usהֶעֱלִיתָ֣נוּhe·‘ĕ·lî·ṯā·nū — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → out of Egyptמִמִּצְרַ֔יִםmim·miṣ·ra·yim — Egypt, the ancient nationH4714 — Full Word Study →to makeלְהָמִ֥יתlə·hā·mîṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study → usאֹתִ֛י’ō·ṯî — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → andוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → our childrenבָּנַ֥יbā·nay — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → and livestockמִקְנַ֖יmiq·nay — Livestock; herds and flocks as possessionsH4735 — Full Word Study → die of thirst?” 4Then Mosesמֹשֶׁה֙mō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → cried outוַיִּצְעַ֤קway·yiṣ·‘aq — to cry out, call for help, shriekH6817 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, “Whatמָ֥הmāh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → should I doאֶעֱשֶׂ֖ה’e·‘ĕ·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → with theseהַזֶּ֑הhaz·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → peopleלָעָ֣םlā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →? A little moreע֥וֹד‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study → and they will stone meוּסְקָלֻֽנִי׃ū·sə·qā·lu·nî — to stone; to throw stonesH5619 — Full Word Study →!” 5And the LORDיְהוָ֜הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֗הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →, “Walk onעֲבֹר֙‘ă·ḇōr — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → ahead ofלִפְנֵ֣יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the peopleהָעָ֔םhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → and takeוְקַ֥חwə·qaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → some of the eldersמִזִּקְנֵ֣יmiz·ziq·nê — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → with youאִתְּךָ֖’it·tə·ḵā — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study →. Take alongקַ֥חqaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → in your handבְּיָדְךָ֖bə·yā·ḏə·ḵā — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → the staffוּמַטְּךָ֗ū·maṭ·ṭə·ḵā — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → with whichאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → you struckהִכִּ֤יתָhik·kî·ṯā — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → the Nileהַיְאֹ֔רhay·’ōr — The Nile RiverH2975 — Full Word Study →, and goוְהָלָֽכְתָּ׃wə·hā·lā·ḵə·tā — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study →. 6Beholdהִנְנִ֣יhin·nî — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study →, I will standעֹמֵד֩‘ō·mêḏ — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → thereשָּׁ֥ם׀šām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → beforeלְפָנֶ֨יךָlə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → youעַֽל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → by the rockהַצּוּר֮haṣ·ṣūr — Rock; stone; strength; fortressH6697 — Full Word Study → at Horebבְּחֹרֵב֒bə·ḥō·rêḇ — Mountain of GodH2722 — Full Word Study →. And when you strikeוְהִכִּ֣יתָwə·hik·kî·ṯā — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → the rockבַצּ֗וּרḇaṣ·ṣūr — Rock; stone; strength; fortressH6697 — Full Word Study →, waterמַ֖יִםma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → will come outוְיָצְא֥וּwə·yā·ṣə·’ū — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → of itמִמֶּ֛נּוּmim·men·nū — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → for the peopleהָעָ֑םhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → to drinkוְשָׁתָ֣הwə·šā·ṯāh — to drink; consume liquidH8354 — Full Word Study →.” So Mosesמֹשֶׁ֔הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → didוַיַּ֤עַשׂway·ya·‘aś — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → thisכֵּן֙kên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → in the sightלְעֵינֵ֖יlə·‘ê·nê — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → of the eldersזִקְנֵ֥יziq·nê — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. 7He namedוַיִּקְרָא֙way·yiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → the placeהַמָּק֔וֹםham·mā·qō·wm — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study → Massahמַסָּ֖הmas·sāh — Testing, TrialH4532 — Full Word Study → and Meribahוּמְרִיבָ֑הū·mə·rî·ḇāh — Strife, contentionH4809 — Full Word Study → becauseעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the Israelitesבְּנֵ֣יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → quarreledרִ֣יב׀rîḇ — Strife, contention, legal disputeH7379 — Full Word Study →, and becauseוְעַ֨לwə·‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → they testedנַסֹּתָ֤םnas·sō·ṯām — to test, try, or prove by examinationH5254 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, sayingלֵאמֹ֔רlê·mōr — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Isהֲיֵ֧שׁhă·yêš — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֛הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → among usבְּקִרְבֵּ֖נוּbə·qir·bê·nū — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study → orאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → notאָֽיִן׃פ’ā·yin — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study →?” 8After this, the Amalekitesעֲמָלֵ֑ק‘ă·mā·lêq — Amalek the EnemyH6002 — Full Word Study → cameוַיָּבֹ֖אway·yā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → and attackedוַיִּלָּ֥חֶםway·yil·lā·ḥem — to fight; to consume; to battleH3898 — Full Word Study → the Israelitesיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → at Rephidimבִּרְפִידִֽם׃bir·p̄î·ḏim — Resting placesH7508 — Full Word Study →. 9So Mosesמֹשֶׁ֤הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ — The Lord is salvationH3091 — Full Word Study →, “Chooseבְּחַר־bə·ḥar- — To choose, select, or preferH977 — Full Word Study → some of our menאֲנָשִׁ֔ים’ă·nā·šîm — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → and go outוְצֵ֖אwə·ṣê — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → to fightהִלָּחֵ֣םhil·lā·ḥêm — to fight; to consume; to battleH3898 — Full Word Study → the Amalekitesבַּעֲמָלֵ֑קba·‘ă·mā·lêq — Amalek the EnemyH6002 — Full Word Study →. Tomorrowמָחָ֗רmā·ḥār — tomorrow, the next dayH4279 — Full Word Study → Iאָנֹכִ֤י’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → will standנִצָּב֙niṣ·ṣāḇ — To stand, station, or set up firmlyH5324 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the hilltopרֹ֣אשׁrōš — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → with the staffוּמַטֵּ֥הū·maṭ·ṭêh — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֖יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → in my handבְּיָדִֽי׃bə·yā·ḏî — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →.” 10Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַyə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ — The Lord is salvationH3091 — Full Word Study → didוַיַּ֣עַשׂway·ya·‘aś — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → asכַּאֲשֶׁ֤רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֔הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → had instructedאָֽמַר־’ā·mar- — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → him and foughtלְהִלָּחֵ֖םlə·hil·lā·ḥêm — to fight; to consume; to battleH3898 — Full Word Study → against the Amalekitesבַּעֲמָלֵ֑קba·‘ă·mā·lêq — Amalek the EnemyH6002 — Full Word Study →, while Mosesוּמֹשֶׁה֙ū·mō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →, Aaronאַהֲרֹ֣ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study →, and Hurוְח֔וּרwə·ḥūr — A man's nameH2354 — Full Word Study → went upעָל֖וּ‘ā·lū — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → to the topרֹ֥אשׁrōš — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → of the hillהַגִּבְעָֽה׃hag·giḇ·‘āh — hill, elevated terrainH1389 — Full Word Study →. 11As long asכַּאֲשֶׁ֨רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֛הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → held upיָרִ֥יםyā·rîm — To raise, lift up, exalt; to be highH7311 — Full Word Study → his handsיָד֖וֹyā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →, Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → prevailedוְגָבַ֣רwə·ḡā·ḇar — to be strong, prevail, overcomeH1396 — Full Word Study →; but whenוְכַאֲשֶׁ֥רwə·ḵa·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → he loweredיָנִ֛יחַyā·nî·aḥ — To rest, cease, or remain in a state of quietnessH5117 — Full Word Study → them, Amalekעֲמָלֵֽק׃‘ă·mā·lêq — Amalek the EnemyH6002 — Full Word Study → prevailedוְגָבַ֥רwə·ḡā·ḇar — to be strong, prevail, overcomeH1396 — Full Word Study →. 12When Moses’מֹשֶׁה֙mō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → handsוִידֵ֤יwî·ḏê — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → grew heavyכְּבֵדִ֔יםkə·ḇê·ḏîm — Heavy; weighty; burdensome; grievousH3515 — Full Word Study →, they tookוַיִּקְחוּ־way·yiq·ḥū- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → a stoneאֶ֛בֶן’e·ḇen — Stone; rock; precious stoneH68 — Full Word Study → and putוַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּway·yā·śî·mū — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → it under himתַחְתָּ֖יוṯaḥ·tāw — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study →, and he satוַיֵּ֣שֶׁבway·yê·šeḇ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → on itעָלֶ֑יהָ‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. Then Aaronוְאַהֲרֹ֨ןwə·’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study → and Hurוְח֜וּרwə·ḥūr — A man's nameH2354 — Full Word Study → heldתָּֽמְכ֣וּtā·mə·ḵū — to grasp, hold, or sustainH8551 — Full Word Study → his hands upבְיָדָ֗יוḇə·yā·ḏāw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →, oneמִזֶּ֤הmiz·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → on eachאֶחָד֙’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → sideאֶחָ֔ד’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study →, so that his handsיָדָ֛יוyā·ḏāw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → remainedוַיְהִ֥יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → steadyאֱמוּנָ֖ה’ĕ·mū·nāh — Faithfulness, steadfastness, reliabilityH530 — Full Word Study → untilעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → the sunהַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃haš·šā·meš — The sun; sunlight; dayH8121 — Full Word Study → went downבֹּ֥אbō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →. 13So Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַyə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ — The Lord is salvationH3091 — Full Word Study → overwhelmedוַיַּחֲלֹ֧שׁway·ya·ḥă·lōš — To weaken, enfeeble, or make faintH2522 — Full Word Study → Amalekעֲמָלֵ֥ק‘ă·mā·lêq — Amalek the EnemyH6002 — Full Word Study → and his armyעַמּ֖וֹ‘am·mōw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → with the swordחָֽרֶב׃פḥā·reḇ — sword; blade weaponH2719 — Full Word Study →. 14Then the LORDיְהוָ֜הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֗הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →, “Write thisכְּתֹ֨בkə·ṯōḇ — to write, inscribe, or record in written formH3789 — Full Word Study → on a scrollבַּסֵּ֔פֶרbas·sê·p̄er — A written document, scroll, or bookH5612 — Full Word Study → as a reminderזִכָּרוֹן֙zik·kā·rō·wn — Memorial, remembrance, record of significanceH2146 — Full Word Study → and reciteוְשִׂ֖יםwə·śîm — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → it to Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַyə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ — The Lord is salvationH3091 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I will utterly blot outמָחֹ֤הmā·ḥōh — To blot out, erase, or wipe awayH4229 — Full Word Study → the memoryזֵ֣כֶרzê·ḵer — memorial, remembrance, or fragrant nameH2143 — Full Word Study → of Amalekעֲמָלֵ֔ק‘ă·mā·lêq — Amalek the EnemyH6002 — Full Word Study → from underמִתַּ֖חַתmit·ta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → heavenהַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃haš·šā·mā·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →.” 15And Mosesמֹשֶׁ֖הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → builtוַיִּ֥בֶןway·yi·ḇen — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study → an altarמִזְבֵּ֑חַmiz·bê·aḥ — altar; place of sacrifice and worshipH4196 — Full Word Study → and namedוַיִּקְרָ֥אway·yiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → itשְׁמ֖וֹšə·mōw — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → The LORDיְהוָ֥ה׀Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → Is My Bannerנִסִּֽי׃nis·sî — Banner, standard, signalH5251 — Full Word Study →. 16Indeedכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study →,” he saidוַיֹּ֗אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “a handיָד֙yāḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → was lifted up towardעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the throneכֵּ֣סkês — Throne; seat of authority and powerH3676 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיָ֔הּyāh — The Lord, Yahweh abbreviatedH3050 — Full Word Study →. The LORDלַיהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will warמִלְחָמָ֥הmil·ḥā·māh — Battle, warfare, combat, military conflictH4421 — Full Word Study → against Amalekבַּֽעֲמָלֵ֑קba·‘ă·mā·lêq — Amalek the EnemyH6002 — Full Word Study → from generationמִדֹּ֖רmid·dōr — generation; age; lifetime; posterityH1755 — Full Word Study → to generationדֹּֽר׃פdōr — generation; age; lifetime; posterityH1755 — Full Word Study →.”
Scripture Explorer
Original Language
Notes & Doctrine
Chapter Commentary
Cross-Refs
Highlight
My Note
Original Hebrew / Greek
Loading…
Translation Notes & Doctrine — This Verse
Loading…
Chapter Commentary — Exodus 17
Chapter Overview

Overview

Exodus 17 presents a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey where the people face two critical tests: one of faith (water crisis at Rephidim) and one of obedience (military conflict with Amalek). These twin trials reveal both human weakness and God's faithful provision. The chapter demonstrates that God's guidance in our deepest need—whether physical thirst or spiritual warfare—comes through faithful leadership and persistent intercession, while also showing that our grumbling can hinder God's work and that the enemy seeks to attack us when we are weak.

Verses 1–7: The Water Crisis and God's Provision

Israel arrives at Rephidim with no water available, and the people immediately begin to complain—not merely asking for help, but actively chiding Moses and questioning his leadership (verses 1–3). Moses responds wisely by redirecting their concern upward: "Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?" (verse 2). To tempt the Lord means to test His character and faithfulness through doubt and rebellion. The people have forgotten God's mighty acts and now cry out as though Moses had maliciously led them to the wilderness to die (verse 3).

Faced with an impossible situation and a people ready to stone him, Moses does not respond in anger but takes his burden to the Lord (verse 4). God's answer is both specific and remarkable (verse 5–6): Moses is to take the elders and his rod—the very staff that split the Red Sea—and strike the rock at Horeb. The promise is clear: water will flow for the people to drink. Moses obeys, and the miracle occurs before witnesses (verse 6). The place is named Massah (testing) and Meribah (quarreling) as a memorial to Israel's faithlessness and God's incomparable grace (verse 7). Key application: Our murmuring reveals distrust in God's character. Yet God does not withdraw His provision because of our doubt; He meets us in our weakness and calls us to remember His faithfulness.

Verses 8–13: The Battle with Amalek

Immediately after the water miracle, Amalek attacks Israel—possibly sensing weakness or vulnerability. Amalek, representing the flesh's resistance to God's purposes, becomes Israel's first military enemy. Moses delegates the actual battle to Joshua (a young, capable leader) while positioning himself on the hilltop with God's rod in hand (verses 9–10). What follows is a remarkable picture of spiritual and physical warfare working in concert: when Moses' hands are raised, Israel prevails; when his hands drop, Amalek gains ground (verse 11). This is not magic but a visible sign of dependence upon God and intercessory prayer.

As the battle wears on, Moses grows physically exhausted. Aaron and Hur—his brother and brother-in-law—support him, holding up his hands until sunset (verse 12). Joshua discomfits the enemy completely (verse 13). Key application: Spiritual victory requires both active obedience (Joshua's fighting) and persistent intercession (Moses' raised hands). We cannot win battles alone; we need the body of Christ to strengthen us in prayer and service.

Verses 14–16: The Memorial and God's Eternal Opposition to Evil

God commands Moses to write a memorial of the victory in a book and rehearse it to Joshua, for the Lord has sworn perpetual war against Amalek (verses 14–16). Moses builds an altar named Jehovah-Nissi—"The Lord My Banner"—declaring that God Himself is Israel's standard and source of victory. This is not vindictiveness but a solemn announcement that God opposes all enemies of His covenant people.

Application for Today

Believers today face seasons of spiritual thirst and unexpected opposition. Like Israel, we are tempted to doubt God's care when circumstances seem impossible. Yet Exodus 17 reminds us that God's provision is sure, His power is real, and our greatest victories come through prayerful dependence and community support. When the enemy attacks your faith or circumstances, remember: your intercession matters, your brothers and sisters are called to hold up your hands, and the Lord Himself is your banner.

Cross References
Loading…
Highlight This Verse
My Note