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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 17:7 He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/17-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/02_Exo_17_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 17:7 - Water from the Rock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us or 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class="vheadingv">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/exodus/17.htm">New International Version</a> And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, &#8220Is the LORD among us or not?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/exodus/17.htm">New Living Translation</a> Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the LORD by saying, “Is the LORD here with us or not?” <a href="/esv/exodus/17.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” <a href="/bsb/exodus/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” <a href="/kjv/exodus/17.htm">King James Bible</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="/nkjv/exodus/17.htm">New King James Version</a> So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” <a href="/nasb_/exodus/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then he named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us, or not?” <a href="/nasb/exodus/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the LORD, saying, &#8220Is the LORD among us, or not?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/exodus/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And he named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us, or not?” <a href="/lsb/exodus/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So he named the place Massah and Meribah because of the contending of the sons of Israel, and because they tested Yahweh, saying, “Is Yahweh among us or not?” <a href="/amp/exodus/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> He named the place [where this miracle occurred] Massah (test) and Meribah (contention) because of the quarreling of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the [patience of the] LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us, or not?” <a href="/csb/exodus/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites complained, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not? ” <a href="/hcsb/exodus/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites complained, and because they tested the LORD, saying, &#8220Is the LORD among us or not?&#8221 <a href="/asv/exodus/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the striving of the children of Israel, and because they tempted Jehovah, saying, Is Jehovah among us, or not? <a href="/cev/exodus/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The people had complained and tested the LORD by asking, "Is the LORD really with us?" So Moses named that place Massah, which means "testing" and Meribah, which means "complaining." <a href="/erv/exodus/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the striving of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not? <a href="/gwt/exodus/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He named that place Massah [Testing] and Meribah [Complaining] because the Israelites complained and because they tested the LORD, asking, "Is the LORD with us or not?" <a href="/gnt/exodus/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> The place was named Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites complained and put the LORD to the test when they asked, "Is the LORD with us or not?" <a href="/isv/exodus/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> He named the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelis quarreled and tested the LORD by saying: "Is the LORD really among us or not?" <a href="/msb/exodus/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, ?Is the LORD among us or not?? <a href="/net/exodus/17.htm">NET Bible</a> He called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contending of the Israelites and because of their testing the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?" <a href="/nheb/exodus/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because the children of Israel quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us, or not?" <a href="/wbt/exodus/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</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="/web/exodus/17.htm">World English Bible</a> He called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because the children of Israel quarreled, and because they tested Yahweh, saying, “Is Yahweh among us, or not?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/exodus/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he calls the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the strife of the sons of Israel, and because of their trying YHWH, saying, “Is YHWH in our midst or not?” <a href="/ylt/exodus/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he calleth the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the 'strife' of the sons of Israel, and because of their 'trying' Jehovah, saying, 'Is Jehovah in our midst or not?' <a href="/slt/exodus/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will call the name of the place, Temptation, and Strife, for the contention of the sons of Israel, and because they tempted Jehovah, saying, Is Jehovah in the midst of us or not?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/exodus/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he called the name of that place Temptation, because the chiding of the children of Israel, and for that they tempted the Lord, saying: Is the Lord amongst us or not? <a href="/cpdv/exodus/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he called the name of that place ‘Temptation,’ because of the arguing of the sons of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying: “Is the Lord with us, or not?” <a href="/nabre/exodus/17.htm">New American Bible</a> The place was named Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled there and tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD in our midst or not?” <a href="/nrsvce/exodus/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/exodus/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he called the name of the place Nassah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the children of Israel, and because they tested the LORD, saying, Let us see if the LORD is among us or not? <a href="/hpbt/exodus/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he called the name of that country Nasa and Meriba, because the children of Israel contended and because they tested LORD JEHOVAH and they said, “If LORD JEHOVAH is with us or not?”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/exodus/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the name of the place was called Massah, and Meribah, because of the striving of the children of Israel, and because they tried the LORD, saying: 'Is the LORD among us, or not?' <a href="/sep/exodus/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he called the name of that place, Temptation, and Reviling, because of the reviling of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us or not? <a href="/parallel/exodus/17-7.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=4365" 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> …6Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. And when you strike the rock, water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7<a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">He named</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šêm (N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: ham·mā·qō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">the place</a> <a href="/hebrew/4532.htm" title="4532: mas·sāh (N-proper-fs) -- A place in the desert where Isr. rebelled. The same as maccah; Massah, a place in the Desert.">Massah</a> <a href="/hebrew/4809.htm" title="4809: ū·mə·rî·ḇāh (Conj-w:: N-proper-fs) -- Place of strife, two places in the desert. The same as mriybah; Meribah, the name of two places in the Desert.">and Meribah</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.">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7379.htm" title="7379: rîḇ (N-msc) -- Strife, dispute. Or rib; from riyb; a contest.">quarreled,</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.">and because</a> <a href="/hebrew/5254.htm" title="5254: nas·sō·ṯām (V-Piel-Inf:: 3mp) -- To test, try. A primitive root; to test; by implication, to attempt.">they tested</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> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3426.htm" title="3426: hă·yêš (Adv) -- Being, substance, existence, is. ">“Is</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> <a href="/hebrew/7130.htm" title="7130: bə·qir·bê·nū (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 1cp) -- Inward part, midst. From qarab; properly, the nearest part, i.e. The center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial.">among us</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ā·yin (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">not?”</a> <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/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13</a> These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness among them. <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="/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="/1_corinthians/10-9.htm">1 Corinthians 10:9</a> We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. <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="/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="/numbers/20-24.htm">Numbers 20:24</a> “Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will not enter the land that I have given the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah. <a href="/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8</a> Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah. <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="/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? ... <a href="/numbers/21-4.htm">Numbers 21:4-5</a> Then they set out from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, in order to bypass the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient on the journey / 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!” <a href="/psalms/81-7.htm">Psalm 81:7</a> You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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?Massah.<a href="/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13</a> This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.<a href="/deuteronomy/9-22.htm">Deuteronomy 9:22</a> And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibrothhattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath.meribah, that is Chiding or Strife<a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2</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="/psalms/81-7.htm">Psalm 81:7</a> Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.chiding<a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Exodus 17:2</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?tempted<a href="/psalms/95-8.htm">Psalm 95:8</a> Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:<a href="/hebrews/3-8.htm">Hebrews 3:8,9</a> Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: … is the Lord<a href="/exodus/34-9.htm">Exodus 34:9</a> And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.<a href="/deuteronomy/31-17.htm">Deuteronomy 31:17</a> Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?<a href="/joshua/22-31.htm">Joshua 22:31</a> And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-14.htm">Chiding</a> <a href="/exodus/17-3.htm">Children</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-3.htm">Contention</a> <a href="/exodus/17-6.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/exodus/16-35.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/psalms/95-8.htm">Massah</a> <a href="/ezekiel/48-28.htm">Meribah</a> <a href="/psalms/106-32.htm">Mer'ibah</a> <a href="/exodus/15-19.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">Proof</a> <a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Quarrel</a> <a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Quarreled</a> <a href="/genesis/26-20.htm">Strife</a> <a href="/exodus/2-13.htm">Striving</a> <a href="/genesis/22-1.htm">Tempted</a> <a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Test</a> <a href="/exodus/15-25.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/exodus/8-18.htm">Tried</a> <a href="/genesis/19-11.htm">Trying</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/32-22.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-14.htm">Chiding</a> <a href="/exodus/19-1.htm">Children</a> <a href="/psalms/80-6.htm">Contention</a> <a href="/exodus/17-8.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/exodus/17-8.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-16.htm">Massah</a> <a href="/numbers/20-13.htm">Meribah</a> <a href="/numbers/20-13.htm">Mer'ibah</a> <a href="/exodus/23-25.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/numbers/14-22.htm">Proof</a> <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Quarrel</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-10.htm">Quarreled</a> <a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Strife</a> <a href="/psalms/39-10.htm">Striving</a> <a href="/numbers/14-22.htm">Tempted</a> <a href="/exodus/20-20.htm">Test</a> <a href="/numbers/14-22.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-34.htm">Tried</a> <a href="/numbers/16-10.htm">Trying</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>He named the place Massah and Meribah The naming of the place Massah, meaning "testing," and Meribah, meaning "quarreling," reflects the significant events that occurred there. This dual naming serves as a memorial of the Israelites' behavior and God's response. In biblical tradition, naming places often commemorates divine encounters or significant events (<a href="/genesis/28-19.htm">Genesis 28:19</a>, Bethel). The names Massah and Meribah are later referenced in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-16.htm">Deuteronomy 6:16</a> and <a href="/psalms/95-8.htm">Psalm 95:8</a>, reminding future generations of the importance of faith and obedience.because the Israelites quarreled The Israelites' quarreling highlights their lack of faith and trust in God's provision, despite witnessing numerous miracles, such as the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna. This behavior is indicative of a recurring pattern of doubt and rebellion seen throughout their wilderness journey (<a href="/numbers/14-2.htm">Numbers 14:2</a>). The quarreling also reflects the human tendency to focus on immediate needs rather than trusting in God's long-term plan.and because they tested the LORD Testing the LORD implies a challenge to His authority and faithfulness. The Israelites' demand for water was not merely a request but a test of God's presence and power. This act of testing is condemned in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-16.htm">Deuteronomy 6:16</a>, where the Israelites are warned not to test God as they did at Massah. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of doubting God's promises and provision.saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” This question reveals the depth of the Israelites' doubt and spiritual blindness. Despite God's visible presence in the pillar of cloud and fire, they questioned His nearness and care. This reflects a deeper spiritual crisis, where physical needs overshadowed spiritual truths. The question also foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's presence in Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, meaning "God with us" (<a href="/matthew/1-23.htm">Matthew 1:23</a>). The Israelites' doubt contrasts with the assurance believers have in Christ's continual presence (<a href="/matthew/28-20.htm">Matthew 28:20</a>).<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. He is the one who names the place Massah and Meribah. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt. They are the ones who quarreled and tested the LORD in the wilderness. 3. <a href="/topical/m/massah_and_meribah.htm">Massah and Meribah</a> These are the names given to the place where the Israelites quarreled and tested God. "Massah" means "testing," and "Meribah" means "quarreling." 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The God of Israel, who delivered the Israelites from Egypt and provided for them in the wilderness. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a> The setting of this event, where the Israelites wandered after leaving Egypt and before entering the Promised Land.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_presence.htm">Trust in God's Presence</a> The Israelites questioned God's presence among them, despite His continuous provision. We must trust that God is with us, even when circumstances are challenging. <a href="/topical/a/avoiding_quarreling_and_complaining.htm">Avoiding Quarreling and Complaining</a> The Israelites' quarreling reflects a lack of faith. As believers, we should strive to maintain a spirit of gratitude and trust rather than complaining. <a href="/topical/t/testing_god.htm">Testing God</a> Testing God shows a lack of faith and understanding of His nature. We should seek to deepen our faith and trust in God's promises. <a href="/topical/r/remembering_god's_faithfulness.htm">Remembering God's Faithfulness</a> Reflecting on past experiences of God's faithfulness can strengthen our trust in Him during current trials. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a> Obedience to God's commands is crucial. The Israelites' disobedience serves as a warning to us to follow God's guidance faithfully.<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_occurred_at_meribah_in_the_bible.htm">What occurred at Meribah in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_happened_at_massah_in_the_bible.htm">What occurred at Massah according to the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/is_he_before_all_things.htm">What occurred at Massah according to the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/is_testing_god_considered_wrong.htm">Is testing God considered wrong?</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>(7) Massah means trial, or temptation, being formed from the root used in <a href="/exodus/17-2.htm" title="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?">Exodus 17:2</a> ("Wherefore do ye tempt the Lord ?") It is the word translated by "trial" in <a href="/job/9-23.htm" title="If the whip slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.">Job 9:23</a>, and by "temptation" in <a href="/deuteronomy/4-34.htm" title="Or has God assayed to go and take him a nation from the middle of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?">Deuteronomy 4:34</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/7-19.htm" title="The great temptations which your eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD your God brought you out: so shall the LORD your God do to all the people of whom you are afraid.">Deuteronomy 7:19</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/29-3.htm" title="The great temptations which your eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:">Deuteronomy 29:3</a>, and <a href="/psalms/95-8.htm" title="Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:">Psalm 95:8</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 7. - He called the name of the place Massah. Massah is from the root nasah, "to try," or "tempt," and means "trial" or "temptation." Meribah is from rub, "to chide, quarrel," and means "contention, chiding, strife." Moses gave the same name to the place near Kadesh, where water was once more brought out of the rock, near the end of the wanderings. (See <a href="/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/32-51.htm">Deuteronomy 32:51</a>; <a href="/psalms/106-32.htm">Psalm 106:32</a>.) CHAPTER 17:8-16 <a href="/commentaries/exodus/17-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>He named וַיִּקְרָא֙ (way·yiq·rā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> To call, proclaim, read the place הַמָּק֔וֹם (ham·mā·qō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> A standing, a spot, a condition Massah מַסָּ֖ה (mas·sāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4532.htm">Strong's 4532: </a> Massah -- a place in the desert where Israelites rebelled and Meribah וּמְרִיבָ֑ה (ū·mə·rî·ḇāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4809.htm">Strong's 4809: </a> Meribah -- 'place of strife', two places in the desert because עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the Israelites בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son quarreled, רִ֣יב ׀ (rîḇ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7379.htm">Strong's 7379: </a> Strife, dispute and because וְעַ֨ל (wə·‘al) Conjunctive waw | Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against they tested נַסֹּתָ֤ם (nas·sō·ṯām) Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5254.htm">Strong's 5254: </a> To test, to attempt the LORD, יְהוָה֙ (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 saying, לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Is הֲיֵ֧שׁ (hă·yêš) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3426.htm">Strong's 3426: </a> Being, substance, existence, is the LORD יְהוָ֛ה (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 among us בְּקִרְבֵּ֖נוּ (bə·qir·bê·nū) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7130.htm">Strong's 7130: </a> The nearest part, the center or אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not not?” אָֽיִן׃ (’ā·yin) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">OT Law: Exodus 17:7 He called the name of the place (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/17-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 17:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 17:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/17-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 17:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 17:8" /></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>