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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 20:2 Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/20-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/04_Num_20_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 20:2 - Water from the Rock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/numbers/20-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/numbers/20-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/numbers/">Numbers</a> > <a href="/numbers/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/numbers/20-1.htm" title="Numbers 20:1">◄</a> Numbers 20:2 <a href="/numbers/20-3.htm" title="Numbers 20:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/numbers/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/numbers/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now there was no water for the congregation; so they gathered together against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />There was no water for the congregation, and they assembled against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />There was no water for the congregation, and they assembled themselves against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And there was no water for the congregation; and they assembled themselves against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now there was no water for the congregation, and they assembled themselves against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now there was no water for the congregation, and they gathered together against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There was no water for the community, so they assembled against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There was no water for the community, so they assembled against Moses and Aaron. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And there was no water for the congregation: and they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The Israelites had no water, so they went to Moses and Aaron <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And there was no water for the congregation: and they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Since the community was without water, they came together to confront Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />There was no water where they camped, so the people gathered around Moses and Aaron <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But there was no water for the community, so they gathered together against Moses and Aaron. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And there was no water for the community, and so they gathered themselves together against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />There was no water for the congregation: and they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And there was no water for the congregation: and they assembled themselves against Moses and against Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />There was no water for the congregation; and they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And there has been no water for the congregation, and they are assembled against Moses and against Aaron,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And there hath been no water for the company, and they are assembled against Moses, and against Aaron,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And there was not water for the assembly: and they will gather together against Moses and against Aaron.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the people wanting water, came together against Moses and Aaron: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when the people were in need of water, they came together against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Since the community had no water, they held an assembly against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now there was no water for the congregation; so they gathered together against Moses and against Aaron.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And there was no water for the people to drink; and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And there was no water for the people to drink and the people assembled against Moshe and against Ahron.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And there was no water for the congregation; and they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and Aaron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/20-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=6238" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/20.htm">Water from the Rock</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>In the first month, the whole congregation of Israel entered the Wilderness of Zin and stayed in Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">Now there was</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">no</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ma·yim (N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">water</a> <a href="/hebrew/5712.htm" title="5712: lā·‘ê·ḏāh (Prep-l, Art:: N-fs) -- Congregation. Feminine of ed in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage.">for the congregation,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6950.htm" title="6950: way·yiq·qā·hă·lū (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To gather as an assembly or congregation. A primitive root; to convoke.">so they gathered</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against</a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Moses</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: wə·‘al- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/175.htm" title="175: ’a·hă·rōn (N-proper-ms) -- An elder brother of Moses. Of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses.">and Aaron.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD!…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/17-1.htm">Exodus 17:1-7</a></span><br />Then the whole congregation of Israel left the Desert of Sin, moving from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. / So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?” / But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled against Moses: “Why have you brought us out of Egypt—to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-15.htm">Psalm 78:15-16</a></span><br />He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as abundant as the seas. / He brought streams from the stone and made water flow down like rivers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-41.htm">Psalm 105:41</a></span><br />He opened a rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-4.htm">1 Corinthians 10:4</a></span><br />and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/8-15.htm">Deuteronomy 8:15</a></span><br />He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-15.htm">Nehemiah 9:15</a></span><br />In their hunger You gave them bread from heaven; in their thirst You brought them water from the rock. You told them to go in and possess the land that You had sworn to give them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/48-21.htm">Isaiah 48:21</a></span><br />They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He made water flow for them from the rock; He split the rock, and water gushed out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-13.htm">John 4:13-14</a></span><br />Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. / But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-37.htm">John 7:37-38</a></span><br />On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/114-8.htm">Psalm 114:8</a></span><br />who turned the rock into a pool, the flint into a fountain of water!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-17.htm">Isaiah 41:17-18</a></span><br />The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. / I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/15-22.htm">Exodus 15:22-24</a></span><br />Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the Desert of Shur. For three days they walked in the desert without finding water. / And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. (That is why it was named Marah.) / So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/21-5.htm">Numbers 21:5</a></span><br />and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/9-22.htm">Deuteronomy 9:22</a></span><br />You continued to provoke the LORD at Taberah, at Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-4.htm">Psalm 107:4-6</a></span><br />Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no path to a city in which to dwell. / They were hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted within them. / Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.</p><p class="hdg">no</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/16-23.htm">Exodus 16:23,24</a></b></br> And he said unto them, This <i>is that</i> which the LORD hath said, To morrow <i>is</i> the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake <i>that</i> which ye will bake <i>to day</i>, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/17-1.htm">Exodus 17:1-4</a></b></br> And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and <i>there was</i> no water for the people to drink… </p><p class="hdg">gathered</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/11-1.htm">Numbers 11:1-6</a></b></br> And <i>when</i> the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard <i>it</i>; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed <i>them that were</i> in the uttermost parts of the camp… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/16-3.htm">Numbers 16:3,19,42</a></b></br> And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, <i>Ye take</i> too much upon you, seeing all the congregation <i>are</i> holy, every one of them, and the LORD <i>is</i> among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/21-5.htm">Numbers 21:5</a></b></br> And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for <i>there is</i> no bread, neither <i>is there any</i> water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/19-1.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/numbers/16-42.htm">Assembled</a> <a href="/numbers/19-20.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/numbers/20-1.htm">Community</a> <a href="/numbers/16-45.htm">Company</a> <a href="/numbers/20-1.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/numbers/19-1.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/numbers/16-42.htm">Opposition</a> <a href="/numbers/16-3.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/numbers/16-42.htm">Together</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/20-6.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/numbers/20-10.htm">Assembled</a> <a href="/numbers/20-4.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/numbers/20-4.htm">Community</a> <a href="/numbers/20-22.htm">Company</a> <a href="/numbers/20-4.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/numbers/20-3.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/judges/9-25.htm">Opposition</a> <a href="/numbers/20-29.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/numbers/20-8.htm">Together</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-1.htm">The children of Israel come to Zin, where Miriam dies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-2.htm">They murmur for want of water</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-7.htm">Moses smiting the rock, brings forth water at Meribah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-14.htm">Moses at Kadesh desires passage through Edom, which is denied him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-22.htm">At Mount Hor Aaron resigns his place to Eleazar, and dies</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now there was no water for the congregation</b><br>The Israelites were in the wilderness of Zin, a harsh desert region where water was scarce. This situation highlights the recurring theme of testing and reliance on God for provision. The lack of water is a physical manifestation of the spiritual challenges the Israelites faced. In the broader biblical narrative, water often symbolizes life and spiritual sustenance, as seen in <a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a>, where Jesus speaks of the "living water." The absence of water here foreshadows the need for divine intervention and points to the Israelites' dependence on God.<p><b>so they gathered against Moses and Aaron</b><br>The congregation's gathering against Moses and Aaron reflects a pattern of rebellion and dissatisfaction that the Israelites frequently exhibited during their wilderness journey. This incident is reminiscent of previous complaints, such as in <a href="/exodus/17.htm">Exodus 17:1-7</a>, where the people quarreled with Moses over water at Rephidim. The people's actions demonstrate a lack of faith and trust in God's appointed leaders, Moses and Aaron, who serve as mediators between God and the Israelites. This rebellion can be seen as a type of the rejection of Christ, the ultimate mediator, as described in <a href="/hebrews/3-12.htm">Hebrews 3:12-19</a>, where the unbelief of the Israelites is compared to the rejection of Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. Moses is a central figure in this account, representing God's authority and leadership.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a></b><br>Moses' brother and the first high priest of Israel. He assists Moses in leading the people and performing priestly duties.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_congregation_of_israel.htm">The Congregation of Israel</a></b><br>The collective body of the Israelites who are journeying through the wilderness. They often face challenges and express their grievances to Moses and Aaron.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>The setting of this event, representing a place of testing and reliance on God. The lack of water is a recurring challenge in the Israelites' journey.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/k/kadesh.htm">Kadesh</a></b><br>The specific location where this event takes place. It is a significant site in the Israelites' wilderness journey, often associated with testing and rebellion.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>The Israelites' lack of water reminds us of our need to depend on God for our daily needs. In times of scarcity, we are called to trust in His provision rather than grumble.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_challenges.htm">Leadership Challenges</a></b><br>Moses and Aaron faced significant challenges as leaders. This passage encourages leaders to seek God's guidance and remain steadfast, even when facing opposition.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_complaining.htm">The Danger of Complaining</a></b><br>The Israelites' complaints against Moses and Aaron serve as a warning against grumbling. Complaining can lead to a hardened heart and a lack of faith in God's promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>Despite the Israelites' repeated failures, God remains faithful. This passage reassures us of God's unwavering commitment to His people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_thirst.htm">Spiritual Thirst</a></b><br>The physical thirst of the Israelites points to a deeper spiritual thirst that only God can satisfy. Believers are encouraged to seek spiritual nourishment through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_striking_a_rock_yield_water_for_all.htm">Numbers 20:2–11 – How could striking a rock realistically produce enough water for an entire nation and their livestock? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_could_moses's_staff_make_water_flow.htm">How is it scientifically plausible that water could come from a mere strike of Moses’s staff on a rock (Exodus 17:6)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_one_act_bar_moses_from_canaan.htm">Numbers 20:12 – Why would a single act of disobedience prevent Moses and Aaron from entering the Promised Land, despite their lifelong dedication?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_evidence_for_psalm_81_6-7_events.htm">In Psalm 81:6–7, why is there no corroborating evidence for God removing Israel’s burden and testing them at Meribah outside the biblical text? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">And there was no water . . . --</span>Kadesh may have comprised a considerable portion of the wilderness of Zin, and there may have been a supply of water in some parts of the district and a scarcity in others; or the supply may have proved insufficient for the wants of so great a multitude; or the miraculous supply which was given at Rephidim may have continued, with more or less frequent intermissions, up to the time to which this statement refers, and may have been suddenly withdrawn at this time in order to try the faith of the Israelites.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">There</span> <span class="cmt_word">was no water.</span> There was a large natural spring at Kadesh, and during the time of their previous sojourn there no complaint of this sort seems to have arisen. At this time, however, the bulk of the encampment may have lain in a different direction (cf. verse 1 with chapter Numbers 13:26), or the supply may have failed kern temporary causes. In either case a total absence of water need not be imagined, but only an insufficient supply. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/20-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now there was</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֥יָה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">no</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">water</span><br /><span class="heb">מַ֖יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the congregation,</span><br /><span class="heb">לָעֵדָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(lā·‘ê·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5712.htm">Strong's 5712: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stated assemblage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so they gathered</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקָּ֣הֲל֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·qā·hă·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6950.htm">Strong's 6950: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gather as an assembly or congregation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Moses</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Aaron.</span><br /><span class="heb">אַהֲרֹֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(’a·hă·rōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_175.htm">Strong's 175: </a> </span><span class="str2">Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/20-2.htm">Numbers 20:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/20-2.htm">Numbers 20:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/20-2.htm">Numbers 20:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/20-2.htm">Numbers 20:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/20-2.htm">Numbers 20:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/20-2.htm">Numbers 20:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/20-2.htm">Numbers 20:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/20-2.htm">Numbers 20:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/20-2.htm">Numbers 20:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/20-2.htm">Numbers 20:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/20-2.htm">OT Law: Numbers 20:2 There was no water for the congregation: (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/20-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 20:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 20:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/20-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 20:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 20:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>