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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>Exodus 17:2 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?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/17-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/02_Exo_17_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 17:2 - Water from the Rock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So the people contended with Moses, Give us water to drink. Why do you contend with me? Moses replied. 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Why do you put the LORD to the test?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/exodus/17.htm">New Living Translation</a> So once more the people complained against Moses. “Give us water to drink!” they demanded. “Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the LORD?” <a href="/esv/exodus/17.htm">English Standard Version</a> Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?” <a href="/bsb/exodus/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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?” <a href="/kjv/exodus/17.htm">King James Bible</a> Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? <a href="/nkjv/exodus/17.htm">New King James Version</a> Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, “Give us water, that we may drink.” So Moses said to them, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the LORD?” <a href="/nasb_/exodus/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water so that we may drink!” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?” <a href="/nasb/exodus/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, &#8220Give us water that we may drink.&#8221 And Moses said to them, &#8220Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/exodus/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water that we may drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?” <a href="/lsb/exodus/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Therefore the people contended with Moses and said, “Give us water that we may drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you test Yahweh?” <a href="/amp/exodus/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water so we may [have something to] drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you tempt the LORD and try His patience?” <a href="/csb/exodus/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So the people complained to Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why are you complaining to me? ” Moses replied to them. “Why are you testing the LORD? ” <a href="/hcsb/exodus/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So the people complained to Moses, &#8220Give us water to drink."&#8221 Why are you complaining to me?&#8221 Moses replied to them. &#8220Why are you testing the LORD?&#8221 <a href="/asv/exodus/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> Wherefore the people strove with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why strive ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt Jehovah? <a href="/cev/exodus/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The people started complaining to Moses, "Give us some water!" Moses replied, "Why are you complaining to me and trying to put the LORD to the test?" <a href="/erv/exodus/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> Wherefore the people strove with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why strive ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? <a href="/gwt/exodus/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So they complained to Moses by saying, "Give us water to drink!" Moses said to them, "Why are you complaining to me? Why are you testing the LORD?" <a href="/gnt/exodus/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> They complained to Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses answered, "Why are you complaining? Why are you putting the LORD to the test?" <a href="/isv/exodus/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> The people quarreled with Moses: "Give us water to drink." Moses told them, "Why are you quarreling with me? Why are you testing the LORD?" <a href="/msb/exodus/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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?? <a href="/net/exodus/17.htm">NET Bible</a> So the people contended with Moses, and they said, "Give us water to drink!" Moses said to them, "Why do you contend with me? Why do you test the LORD?" <a href="/nheb/exodus/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Therefore the people quarreled with Moses, and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?" <a href="/wbt/exodus/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Wherefore the people contended with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said to them, Why chide you with me? why do ye tempt the LORD? <a href="/web/exodus/17.htm">World English Bible</a> Therefore the people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test Yahweh?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/exodus/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and the people strive with Moses, and say, “Give us water, and we drink.” And Moses says to them, “Why do you strive with me? Why do you try YHWH?” <a href="/ylt/exodus/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and the people strive with Moses, and say, 'Give us water, and we drink.' And Moses saith to them, 'What? -- ye strive with me, what? -- ye try Jehovah?' <a href="/slt/exodus/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the people contended with Moses, and they will say, Give to us water and we will drink. And Moses will say to them, Why will ye contend with me, and why will ye tempt Jehovah?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/exodus/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And they chode with Moses, and said: Give us water, that we may drink. And Moses answered them: Why chide you with me? Wherefore do you tempt the Lord? <a href="/cpdv/exodus/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And arguing against Moses, they said, “Give us water, so that we may drink.” And Moses answered them: “Why argue against me? For what reason do you tempt the Lord?” <a href="/nabre/exodus/17.htm">New American Bible</a> and so they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to a test?” <a href="/nrsvce/exodus/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/exodus/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Wherefore the people quarreled with Moses, and said to him. Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said to them, Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you tempt the LORD? <a href="/hpbt/exodus/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the people disputed with Moshe and they said to him, “Give us water we will drink”; Moshe said to them, “Why are you arguing with me and why are you tempting LORD JEHOVAH?”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/exodus/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Wherefore the people strove with Moses, and said: 'Give us water that we may drink.' And Moses said unto them: 'Why strive ye with me? wherefore do ye try the LORD?' <a href="/sep/exodus/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the people reviled Moses, saying, Give us water, that we may drink; and Moses said to them, Why do ye revile me, and why tempt ye the Lord? <a href="/parallel/exodus/17-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=4309" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/exodus/17.htm">Water from the Rock</a> 1Then 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. 2<a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">So the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/7378.htm" title="7378: way·yā·reḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- Or ruwb; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; to defend.">contended</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with</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/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tə·nū- (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">“Give</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">us</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/8354.htm" title="8354: wə·niš·teh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-1cp) -- To drink. A primitive root; to imbibe.">to drink.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/7378.htm" title="7378: tə·rî·ḇūn (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp:: Pn) -- Or ruwb; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; to defend.">do you contend</a> <a href="/hebrew/5978.htm" title="5978: ‘im·mā·ḏî (Prep:: 1cs) -- Along with, against, by, from">with me?”</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/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replied.</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/5254.htm" title="5254: tə·nas·sūn (V-Piel-Imperf-2mp:: Pn) -- To test, try. A primitive root; to test; by implication, to attempt.">do you test</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD?”</a> 3But 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?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/numbers/20-2.htm">Numbers 20:2-13</a> Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron. / The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD! / Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? ... <a href="/psalms/95-8.htm">Psalm 95:8-9</a> do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, though they had seen My work. <a href="/deuteronomy/6-16.htm">Deuteronomy 6:16</a> Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-9.htm">1 Corinthians 10:9-10</a> We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. / And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. <a href="/hebrews/3-8.htm">Hebrews 3:8-9</a> do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. <a href="/numbers/14-22.htm">Numbers 14:22</a> not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness—yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times— <a href="/deuteronomy/9-22.htm">Deuteronomy 9:22</a> You continued to provoke the LORD at Taberah, at Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah. <a href="/matthew/4-7.htm">Matthew 4:7</a> Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” <a href="/luke/4-12.htm">Luke 4:12</a> But Jesus answered, “It also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” <a href="/john/6-30.htm">John 6:30-31</a> So they asked Him, “What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do? / Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” <a href="/psalms/78-18.htm">Psalm 78:18-20</a> They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved. / They spoke against God, saying, “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness? / When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?” <a href="/psalms/106-32.htm">Psalm 106:32-33</a> At the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD, and trouble came to Moses because of them. / For they rebelled against His Spirit, and Moses spoke rashly with his lips. <a href="/isaiah/7-12.htm">Isaiah 7:12</a> But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.” <a href="/1_corinthians/10-4.htm">1 Corinthians 10:4</a> and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. <a href="/hebrews/3-15.htm">Hebrews 3:15-19</a> As it has been said: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion.” / For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Why the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said to them, Why chide you with me? why do you tempt the LORD?the people<a href="/exodus/5-21.htm">Exodus 5:21</a> And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.<a href="/exodus/14-11.htm">Exodus 14:11,12</a> And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? … <a href="/exodus/15-24.htm">Exodus 15:24</a> And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?give us<a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Genesis 30:1,2</a> And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die… <a href="/1_samuel/8-6.htm">1 Samuel 8:6</a> But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.<a href="/luke/15-12.htm">Luke 15:12</a> And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.wherefore<a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7</a> And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?<a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2</a> And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:<a href="/numbers/14-22.htm">Numbers 14:22</a> Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/16-20.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/psalms/103-9.htm">Chide</a> <a href="/genesis/31-36.htm">Contended</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-7.htm">Dispute</a> <a href="/exodus/17-1.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/exodus/15-23.htm">Drinking</a> <a href="/exodus/5-16.htm">Fault</a> <a href="/exodus/16-25.htm">Find</a> <a href="/exodus/16-27.htm">Found</a> <a href="/exodus/16-34.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/genesis/45-24.htm">Quarrel</a> <a href="/genesis/26-22.htm">Quarreled</a> <a href="/jeremiah/36-22.htm">Stove</a> <a href="/genesis/26-22.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/exodus/2-13.htm">Strove</a> <a href="/genesis/22-1.htm">Tempt</a> <a href="/exodus/16-4.htm">Test</a> <a href="/revelation/3-10.htm">Try</a> <a href="/exodus/17-1.htm">Water</a> <a href="/exodus/14-15.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/judges/8-1.htm">Chide</a> <a href="/numbers/20-3.htm">Contended</a> <a href="/exodus/18-16.htm">Dispute</a> <a href="/exodus/17-6.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/exodus/34-28.htm">Drinking</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-2.htm">Fault</a> <a href="/exodus/22-8.htm">Find</a> <a href="/exodus/18-8.htm">Found</a> <a href="/exodus/17-3.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Quarrel</a> <a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Quarreled</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-35.htm">Stove</a> <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-10.htm">Strove</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-16.htm">Tempt</a> <a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Test</a> <a href="/exodus/20-20.htm">Try</a> <a href="/exodus/17-3.htm">Water</a> <a href="/exodus/17-3.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 17</div>1. <a href="/exodus/17-1.htm">The people murmur for water to Rephidim</a> 6. <a href="/exodus/17-6.htm">God send them for water to the rock in Horeb</a> 7. <a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">The place is called Massah and Meribah</a> 8. <a href="/exodus/17-8.htm">Amalek is overcome by Joshua, while Moses holds up his hand</a> 14. <a href="/exodus/17-14.htm">Amalek is doomed to destruction; and Moses builds the altar Jehovah-nissi</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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/exodus/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So the people contended with Moses The Israelites, having recently been delivered from Egypt, frequently expressed dissatisfaction during their wilderness journey. This contention reflects a recurring theme of grumbling against leadership, seen earlier in <a href="/exodus/15-24.htm">Exodus 15:24</a> and later in <a href="/numbers/14-2.htm">Numbers 14:2</a>. The Hebrew word for "contended" suggests a legal dispute, indicating the seriousness of their complaint. This reflects a lack of trust in God's provision, despite witnessing miracles like the parting of the Red Sea.“Give us water to drink.” The demand for water highlights the physical challenges of desert life. The Israelites were in the wilderness of Sin, a harsh environment with scarce resources. This request underscores their immediate physical needs but also their spiritual short-sightedness, as they focus on temporal needs rather than trusting in God's ongoing provision. This mirrors the human tendency to prioritize physical over spiritual sustenance, as seen in <a href="/john/6-26.htm">John 6:26-27</a>.“Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. Moses, as God's appointed leader, often bore the brunt of the people's dissatisfaction. His question points to the misdirection of their complaint; their issue was ultimately with God, not Moses. This reflects the biblical principle that rebellion against God-appointed leaders is rebellion against God Himself, as seen in <a href="/romans/13.htm">Romans 13:1-2</a>. Moses' leadership is a type of Christ, who also faced contention and rejection (<a href="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11</a>).“Why do you test the LORD?” Testing the LORD implies a lack of faith and trust in His promises and power. The Israelites' demand for water was not just a physical request but a spiritual challenge to God's faithfulness. This incident foreshadows later events, such as in <a href="/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13</a>, and is referenced in <a href="/psalms/95-8.htm">Psalm 95:8-9</a> as a warning against hardening one's heart. It also prefigures the temptation of Christ in the wilderness, where He refused to test God (<a href="/matthew/4-7.htm">Matthew 4:7</a>), demonstrating perfect trust and obedience.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In this passage, Moses is confronted by the people for water. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt. They are in the wilderness and are expressing their dissatisfaction and lack of faith. 3. <a href="/topical/r/rephidim.htm">Rephidim</a> The location where this event takes place. It is a place in the wilderness where the Israelites camped and experienced a lack of water. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant God of Israel, who has been guiding and providing for the Israelites throughout their journey. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a> Represents the place of testing and reliance on God. It is a physical and spiritual journey for the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a> The Israelites' demand for water reflects a lack of trust in God's ability to provide. We are called to trust God in our own "wilderness" experiences. <a href="/topical/a/avoid_testing_god.htm">Avoid Testing God</a> Testing God shows a lack of faith. We should remember God's past faithfulness and avoid demanding signs or proofs of His care. <a href="/topical/l/leadership_challenges.htm">Leadership Challenges</a> Moses faced the challenge of leading a grumbling people. Leaders today can learn from Moses' reliance on God in difficult situations. <a href="/topical/c/contentment_and_gratitude.htm">Contentment and Gratitude</a> Instead of grumbling, we should cultivate a heart of gratitude for what God has already done and trust Him for what is to come. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_growth_through_trials.htm">Spiritual Growth through Trials</a> The wilderness was a place of testing and growth for the Israelites. Our trials can also be opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 17</a> <a href="/q/what_does_jehovah-nissi_mean.htm">What does Jehovah-Nissi mean?</a> <a href="/q/meaning_of_'the_lord_is_my_banner'.htm">What does 'The Lord is My Banner' mean?</a> <a href="/q/is_testing_god_considered_wrong.htm">Is testing God considered wrong?</a> <a href="/q/are_you_overly_sensitive.htm">Are you overly sensitive?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) The people did chide.--Water is scanty along the route by which we have supposed Rephidim to have been reached. Such a supply as the people may have brought with them from Elim would have been exhausted. They would have looked forward to Rephidim both for their immediate necessity and for replenishing their water-skins. They would be suffering both from thirst and disappointment. The needs of their children and their cattle (<a href="/exodus/17-3.htm" title="And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Why is this that you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?">Exodus 17:3</a>) would be an aggravation of their pain. They would see no hope in the future. Under the circumstances we cannot be surprised at their "chiding." Nothing but a very lively faith, or an utter resignation to the will of God, could have made a people patient and submissive in such an extremity.Give us water.--It was not faith that spoke in these words, but wrath. They had no belief that Moses could give them water, and "were almost ready to stone" him (<a href="/exodus/17-4.htm" title="And Moses cried to the LORD, saying, What shall I do to this people? they be almost ready to stone me.">Exodus 17:4</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - The people did chide. I.e. "quarrelled," made open murmurs and complaint - as before frequently (<a href="/exodus/14-11.htm">Exodus 14:11, 12</a>; <a href="/exodus/15-24.htm">Exodus 15:24</a>; <a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Exodus 16:2, 3</a>). Give us water. As Moses had already given them flesh (the quails) and bread (the manna), so it perhaps seemed to the people easy that he should give them such a common thing as water. Stanley notices (p. 70) that the wadys suggest the idea of water, and make its absence the more intolerable - they are "exactly like rivers," with "torrent bed, and banks, and clefts in the rock for tributary streams, and at times even rushes and shrubs fringing their course" - signs of "water, water everywhere, yet not a drop to drink." Wherefore do ye tempt the Lord? To "tempt the Lord" is to try his patience by want of faith, to arouse his anger, to provoke him to punish us. It was the special sin of the Israelites during the whole period of their sojourn in the wilderness. They "tempted and provoked the most high God" (<a href="/psalms/78-56.htm">Psalm 78:56</a>); "provoked him to anger with their inventions" (<a href="/psalms/106-29.htm">Psalm 106:29</a>), "murmured in their tents" (ib, 25), "provoked him at the sea" (ib, 7), "tempted him in the desert" (ib, 14). God's long-suffering, notwithstanding all, is simply amazing! <a href="/commentaries/exodus/17-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So the people הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock contended וַיָּ֤רֶב (way·yā·reḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend with עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> With, equally with Moses, מֹשֶׁ֔ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver “Give תְּנוּ־ (tə·nū-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set us water מַ֖יִם (ma·yim) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen to drink.” וְנִשְׁתֶּ֑ה (wə·niš·teh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8354.htm">Strong's 8354: </a> To imbibe “Why מַה־ (mah-) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what do you contend תְּרִיבוּן֙ (tə·rî·ḇūn) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend with me?” עִמָּדִ֔י (‘im·mā·ḏî) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5978.htm">Strong's 5978: </a> Against, by, from, me, mine, of, that I take, unto, Moses מֹשֶׁ֔ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver replied. וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Why מַה־ (mah-) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what do you test תְּנַסּ֖וּן (tə·nas·sūn) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5254.htm">Strong's 5254: </a> To test, to attempt the LORD?” יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">OT Law: Exodus 17:2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/17-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 17:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 17:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/17-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 17:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 17:3" /></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>