Exodus 17:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink." And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.

NIV: I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

NASB: Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.' And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

CSB: I am going to stand there in front of you on the rock at Horeb; when you hit the rock, water will come out of it and the people will drink." Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

NLT: I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.' So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on.

KJV: Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

NKJV: Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Horeb is a region also referred to as "Sinai" (Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 5:2; 29:1). Moses and the elders of Israel are participating in an overt display for the people (Exodus 17:5). This is God's response to the nation's faithless anger over a water crisis (Exodus 17:1–4). Rather than trusting the Lord who so recently blessed them with miracles (Exodus 14:21–28; 15:22–25; 16:13–15), the people are hostile. Moses brings his staff (Exodus 4:17; 7:20). There, he follows God's command to strike a rock—probably a large boulder or small mountain—from which will come water.

This is done in front of Israel's elders (Exodus 4:29–31) so that the message will be clear. In front of witnesses, God has once again used Moses to bring a miracle to the people of Israel. Though this incident has a happy end, the people's attitude was terrible. This moment will become one of the most infamous in Israel's history (Exodus 17:7; Deuteronomy 33:8; Psalm 95:8; Hebrews 3:8–9).

Exodus 17:1–7 records the second time God miraculously provided water in response to Israelite complaining. He has just given them meat (Exodus 16:13) and an ongoing daily provision of manna (Exodus 16:14–16). Yet when the people don't find water at their next stop, they react poorly. This time, they openly argue with Moses. Protests are so heated that Moses worries about violence. God instructs Moses and then creates a water source for the people.

Israel condemns and argues against Moses because of a water shortage, despite recent miracles proving the Lord's care. In response, God arranges a public display of His power through Moses. Then, when Amalekites attack Israel, God gives them power to repel the attack. This comes in the form of Moses holding up his staff, assisted by Aaron and Hur. Joshua is introduced as a military leader.

The nation of Israel recently received miraculous provisions of water, bread, and meat (Exodus 15—16). Still, they bitterly argue and bicker against Moses when water becomes scarce. After another miracle, God aids the Hebrews in repelling an enemy attack. Next, they will encounter Moses' father-in-law, who will provide some much-needed advice (Exodus 18).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.