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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 17:3 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?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/17-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/02_Exo_17_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 17:3 - Water from the Rock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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?" /><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/exodus/17-3.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/exodus/17-3.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="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 3</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="/ad3.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="/exodus/17-2.htm" title="Exodus 17:2">◄</a> Exodus 17:3 <a href="/exodus/17-4.htm" title="Exodus 17:4">►</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/exodus/17.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/exodus/17.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, &#8220Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But tormented by thirst, they continued to argue with Moses. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Are you trying to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore <i>is</i> this <i>that</i> thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said, “Why <i>is</i> it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the people were thirsty for water there; and they grumbled against Moses and said, “Why is it that you have you brought us up from Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But the people thirsted there for water; and they grumbled against Moses and said, &#8220Why, now, have you brought us up from Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But the people thirsted there for water; and they grumbled against Moses and said, “Why, now, have you brought us up from Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But the people thirsted there for water; and they grumbled against Moses and said, “Why, now, have you brought us up from Egypt, to put us and our children and our livestock to death with thirst?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But the people were thirsty for water; and the people murmured against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up from Egypt to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the people thirsted there for water and grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you ever bring us up from Egypt to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the people thirsted there for water, and grumbled against Moses. They said, &#8220Why did you ever bring us out of Egypt to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore hast thou brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But the people were thirsty and kept on complaining, "Moses, did you bring us out of Egypt just to let us and our families and our animals die of thirst?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore hast thou brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But the people were thirsty for water there. They complained to Moses and asked, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Was it to make us, our children, and our livestock die of thirst?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But the people were very thirsty and continued to complain to Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt? To kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But the people were thirsty there for water, so they complained against Moses: "Why did you bring us up from Egypt to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But the people were very thirsty there for water, and they murmured against Moses and said, "Why in the world did you bring us up out of Egypt--to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The people were thirsty for water there; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Why is this that thou hast brought us out of Egypt to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The people were thirsty for water there; so the people murmured against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the people thirst for water there, and the people murmur against Moses, and say, “Why [is] this [that] you have brought us up out of Egypt to put us to death, also our sons and our livestock, with thirst?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the people thirst there for water, and the people murmur against Moses, and say, 'Why is this? -- thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to put us to death, also our sons and our cattle, with thirst.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the people will thirst there for water; and the people will murmur against Moses, and will say, For what this did ye bring us up out of Egypt to kill us and our sons and our cattle with thirst?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So the people were thirsty there for want of water, and murmured against Moses, saying: Why didst thou make us go forth out of Egypt, to kill us and our children, and our beasts with thirst? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so the people were thirsty in that place, due to the scarcity of water, and they murmured against Moses, saying: “Why did you cause us to go out of Egypt, so as to kill us and our children, as well as our cattle, with thirst?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Here, then, in their thirst for water, the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “Why then did you bring us up out of Egypt? To have us die of thirst with our children and our livestock?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the people thirsted there for water; and they murmured against Moses, and said to him, Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And there the people were thirsty for water and the people complained against Moshe and they said to him, “Why have you brought us out from Egypt to kill us, us and our children and our animals with thirst?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said: 'Wherefore hast thou brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the people thirsted there for water, and there the people murmured against Moses, saying, Why is this? hast thou brought us up out of Egypt to slay us and our children and our cattle with thirst?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/17-3.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/kVae3PiKqhs?start=4319" 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/exodus/17.htm">Water from the Rock</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>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?” <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><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.">But the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/6770.htm" title="6770: way·yiṣ·mā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To be thirsty. A primitive root; to thirst.">thirsted</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: lam·ma·yim (Prep-l, Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">for water</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">there,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3885.htm" title="3885: way·yā·len (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- Or liyn; a primitive root; to stop; by implication, to stay permanently; hence to be obstinate.">and they grumbled</a> <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."></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/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: he·‘ĕ·lî·ṯā·nū (V-Hifil-Perf-2ms:: 1cp) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">have you brought us</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: mim·miṣ·ra·yim (Prep-m:: N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">out of Egypt—</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: lə·hā·mîṯ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">to make</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯî (DirObjM:: 1cs) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">us</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bā·nay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">our children</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4735.htm" title="4735: miq·nay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Cattle. From qanah; something bought, i.e. Property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition.">and livestock</a> <a href="/hebrew/6772.htm" title="6772: baṣ·ṣā·mā (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Thirst. From tsame'; thirst.">die of thirst?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What should I do with these people? A little more and they will stone me!”…<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="/numbers/20-2.htm">Numbers 20:2-5</a></span><br />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? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-19.htm">Psalm 78:19-20</a></span><br />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?”<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/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="/psalms/106-13.htm">Psalm 106:13-14</a></span><br />Yet they soon forgot His works and failed to wait for His counsel. / They craved intensely in the wilderness and tested God 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="/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="/numbers/11-4.htm">Numbers 11:4-6</a></span><br />Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? / We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. / But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/95-8.htm">Psalm 95:8-9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-8.htm">Hebrews 3:8-9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-2.htm">Numbers 14:2-3</a></span><br />All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! / Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-16.htm">Deuteronomy 6:16</a></span><br />Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-7.htm">Matthew 4:7</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/16-13.htm">Numbers 16:13-14</a></span><br />Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? Must you also appoint yourself as ruler over us? / Moreover, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? No, we will not come!”<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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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?</p><p class="hdg">thou hast</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/16-3.htm">Exodus 16:3</a></b></br> And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, <i>and</i> when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/13-12.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/exodus/17-1.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/14-12.htm">Death</a> <a href="/exodus/14-12.htm">Die</a> <a href="/exodus/16-32.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/exodus/15-10.htm">Great</a> <a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Grumbled</a> <a href="/exodus/16-3.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/exodus/12-38.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/16-8.htm">Murmur</a> <a href="/exodus/16-2.htm">Murmured</a> <a href="/exodus/16-21.htm">Need</a> <a href="/exodus/16-12.htm">Outcry</a> <a href="/revelation/7-16.htm">Thirst</a> <a href="/matthew/25-42.htm">Thirsted</a> <a href="/revelation/22-17.htm">Thirsty</a> <a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Water</a> <a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/20-10.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/17-4.htm">Death</a> <a href="/exodus/20-19.htm">Die</a> <a href="/exodus/18-1.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Great</a> <a href="/numbers/14-2.htm">Grumbled</a> <a href="/exodus/20-13.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/exodus/20-10.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/exodus/17-4.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/numbers/14-2.htm">Murmur</a> <a href="/numbers/11-1.htm">Murmured</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-36.htm">Need</a> <a href="/numbers/11-2.htm">Outcry</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-15.htm">Thirst</a> <a href="/psalms/42-2.htm">Thirsted</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-15.htm">Thirsty</a> <a href="/exodus/17-6.htm">Water</a> <a href="/exodus/18-14.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/17-1.htm">The people murmur for water to Rephidim</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/17-6.htm">God send them for water to the rock in Horeb</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">The place is called Massah and Meribah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/17-8.htm">Amalek is overcome by Joshua, while Moses holds up his hand</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/17-14.htm">Amalek is doomed to destruction; and Moses builds the altar Jehovah-nissi</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/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><b>But the people thirsted for water there</b><br>The Israelites found themselves in the wilderness of Sin, a barren and arid region. This phrase highlights their physical need for water, a basic necessity for survival. The wilderness journey was a test of faith, as God had previously provided for them through miraculous means, such as the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna. The lack of water serves as a recurring theme in the Israelites' journey, symbolizing spiritual thirst and dependence on God. This situation foreshadows Jesus' declaration as the "living water" in <a href="/john/4-10.htm">John 4:10</a>, offering spiritual sustenance.<p><b>and they grumbled against Moses</b><br>Grumbling against Moses reflects the Israelites' lack of faith and trust in God's provision. Moses, as God's appointed leader, often bore the brunt of the people's complaints. This behavior is a pattern seen throughout the Exodus narrative, where the Israelites frequently express dissatisfaction despite witnessing God's power and deliverance. The grumbling signifies a deeper spiritual issue of unbelief and rebellion, which is addressed in <a href="/hebrews/3-7.htm">Hebrews 3:7-11</a>, warning against hardening one's heart.<p><b>“Why have you brought us out of Egypt—</b><br>This question reveals the Israelites' short-sightedness and nostalgia for their past, despite the harsh conditions of slavery in Egypt. It underscores a common human tendency to romanticize the past when faced with present difficulties. The Exodus from Egypt is a central theme in the Bible, symbolizing salvation and deliverance. The Israelites' questioning of their liberation reflects a struggle to embrace their new identity as God's chosen people, a theme echoed in the New Testament as believers are called to leave behind their old lives (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a>).<p><b>to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”</b><br>The mention of children and livestock emphasizes the severity of the situation, as the lack of water threatened the entire community's survival. This phrase highlights the Israelites' fear and desperation, which often led them to doubt God's intentions and care. The concern for future generations and their well-being is a recurring biblical theme, pointing to the importance of faith and obedience for the sake of posterity. The Israelites' fear contrasts with God's faithfulness, as He ultimately provides water from the rock, prefiguring Christ as the spiritual rock who sustains His people (<a href="/1_corinthians/10-4.htm">1 Corinthians 10:4</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now journeying through the wilderness.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader appointed by God to bring the Israelites out of Egypt and guide them to the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/rephidim.htm">Rephidim</a></b><br>The location where the Israelites camped and experienced a lack of water, leading to their grumbling.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>Represents the period of testing and reliance on God for the Israelites as they journey to the Promised Land.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/grumbling.htm">Grumbling</a></b><br>The act of complaining against Moses, which reflects a deeper issue of distrust in God's provision.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a></b><br>The Israelites' grumbling reveals a lack of trust in God's ability to provide. Believers today are called to trust in God's provision, even in difficult circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_complaining.htm">The Danger of Complaining</a></b><br>Complaining can lead to a hardened heart and a lack of faith. Christians are encouraged to cultivate gratitude and trust instead.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_challenges.htm">Leadership Challenges</a></b><br>Moses faced significant challenges as a leader. This passage reminds us of the importance of supporting and praying for our leaders.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_thirst.htm">Spiritual Thirst</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites experienced physical thirst, humans have a spiritual thirst that only God can satisfy through Jesus Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>Despite the Israelites' complaints, God remained faithful. This reassures believers of God's unchanging faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/will_we_ever_be_thirsty_again.htm">Will we ever be thirsty again?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'god_is_truth'_mean.htm">Who was Moses' father-in-law?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_proof_did_moses_give_to_israelites.htm">Exodus 6:7-9: If the Israelites still doubt Moses, what empirical proof did he provide to convince them then or later?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_order_child_deaths_in_1_sam_15_3.htm">Why did God command the killing of children and infants in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 15:3)?</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>(3) <span class= "bld">To kill us.</span>--This was no exaggeration. Thirst kills as surely as hunger, and more quickly. Whole armies have died of it. (Herod. iii. 26.) Ships' crews have perished of it on the ocean, with "water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink." Unless a supply could somehow or other have been provided speedily, the whole people must have been exterminated.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The people thirsted there for water.</span> There is probably no physical affliction comparable to intense thirst. His thirst was the only agony which drew from the Son of Man an acknowledgment of physical suffering, in the words "I thirst." Descriptions of thirst in open boats at sea are among the most painful of the records of afflicted humanity. Thirst in the desert can scarcely be less horrible. <span class="cmt_word">The people murmured and said</span> When the worst comes on men, if they are alone, they bear it silently; but if they can find a scapegoat, they murmur. To lay the blame of the situation on another is a huge satisfaction to the ordinary human mind, which shrinks from responsibility, and would fain shift the burthen on some one else. <span class="cmt_word">To kill us</span>. Compare <a href="/exodus/14-11.htm">Exodus 14:11</a>, 16:3. The circumstances of their life in the wilderness were such, that, until accustomed to them, the people thought that, at each step, they must perish. It may be freely admitted, that without continual miraculous aid this would have been the natural <span class="accented">denouement</span>. <span class="cmt_word">And</span> <span class="cmt_word">our cattle</span>. It is interesting to see that the "cattle" still survived, and were regarded as of great importance. How far they served as a secondary head of subsistance to the people during the 40 years, is a point not yet sufficiently elaborated. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/17-3.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">But the people</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">thirsted</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּצְמָ֨א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiṣ·mā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6770.htm">Strong's 6770: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be thirsty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for water</span><br /><span class="heb">לַמַּ֔יִם</span> <span class="translit">(lam·ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | 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">there,</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֤ם</span> <span class="translit">(šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and they grumbled</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֥לֶן</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·len)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3885.htm">Strong's 3885: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate</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">מֹשֶׁ֑ה</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">“Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֤מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have you brought us</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶעֱלִיתָ֣נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(he·‘ĕ·lî·ṯā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">out of Egypt—</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם</span> <span class="translit">(mim·miṣ·ra·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> </span><span class="str2">Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to kill</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהָמִ֥ית</span> <span class="translit">(lə·hā·mîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">us and our children</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּנַ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bā·nay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and livestock</span><br /><span class="heb">מִקְנַ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(miq·nay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4735.htm">Strong's 4735: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something bought, property, livestock, acquisition</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with thirst?”</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּצָּמָֽא׃</span> <span class="translit">(baṣ·ṣā·mā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6772.htm">Strong's 6772: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thirst</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/17-3.htm">Exodus 17:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/17-3.htm">Exodus 17:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/17-3.htm">Exodus 17:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/17-3.htm">Exodus 17:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/17-3.htm">Exodus 17:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/17-3.htm">Exodus 17:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/17-3.htm">Exodus 17:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/17-3.htm">Exodus 17:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/17-3.htm">Exodus 17:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/17-3.htm">Exodus 17:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/17-3.htm">OT Law: Exodus 17:3 The people were thirsty for water there (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/17-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 17:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 17:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/17-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 17:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 17:4" /></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>