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You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/20-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/04_Num_20_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 20:8 - Water from the Rock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. 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Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/numbers/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.” <a href="/esv/numbers/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> “Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.” <a href="/bsb/numbers/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.” <a href="/kjv/numbers/20.htm">King James Bible</a> Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. <a href="/nkjv/numbers/20.htm">New King James Version</a> “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” <a href="/nasb_/numbers/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Take the staff; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it shall yield its water. So you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and have the congregation and their livestock drink.” <a href="/nasb/numbers/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/numbers/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink.” <a href="/lsb/numbers/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink.” <a href="/amp/numbers/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock in front of them, so that it will pour out its water. In this way you shall bring water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their livestock drink [fresh water].” <a href="/csb/numbers/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Take the staff and assemble the community. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will yield its water. You will bring out water for them from the rock and provide drink for the community and their livestock.” <a href="/hcsb/numbers/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Take the staff and assemble the community. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will yield its water. You will bring out water for them from the rock and provide drink for the community and their livestock.&#8221 <a href="/asv/numbers/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes, that it give forth its water; and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock; so thou shalt give the congregation and their cattle drink. <a href="/erv/numbers/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes, that it give forth its water; and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their cattle drink. <a href="/gwt/numbers/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Take your staff, then you and your brother Aaron gather the community. Right before their eyes, tell the rock to give up its water. In this way you will give the community water from the rock for them and their animals to drink." <a href="/gnt/numbers/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Take the stick that is in front of the Covenant Box, and then you and Aaron assemble the whole community. There in front of them all speak to that rock over there, and water will gush out of it. In this way you will bring water out of the rock for the people, for them and their animals to drink." <a href="/isv/numbers/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Take the rod, gather the community together, and then you and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock right before their eyes. It will release water. As you bring water to them from the rock, the community and the cattle will be able to drink." <a href="/msb/numbers/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.? <a href="/net/numbers/20.htm">NET Bible</a> "Take the staff and assemble the community, you and Aaron your brother, and then speak to the rock before their eyes. It will pour forth its water, and you will bring water out of the rock for them, and so you will give the community and their beasts water to drink." <a href="/nheb/numbers/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, you, and Aaron your brother, and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it give forth its water; and you shall bring forth to them water out of the rock; so you shall give the congregation and their livestock drink." <a href="/wbt/numbers/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Take the rod, and convene thou the assembly, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye to the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth its water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give drink to the congregation and their beasts. <a href="/web/numbers/20.htm">World English Bible</a> “Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, you, and Aaron your brother, and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it pour out its water. You shall bring water to them out of the rock; so you shall give the congregation and their livestock drink.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/numbers/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “Take the rod and assemble the congregation—you and your brother Aaron—and you have spoken to the rock before their eyes, and it has given its water, and you have brought out water to them from the rock, and have watered the congregation and their beasts.” <a href="/ylt/numbers/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Take the rod, and assemble the company, thou and Aaron thy brother; and ye have spoken unto the rock before their eyes, and it hath given its water, and thou hast brought out to them water from the rock, and hast watered the company, and their beasts.' <a href="/slt/numbers/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Take the rod and gather the assembly together, thou and Aaron thy brother, and speak to the rock before their eyes; and it gave water; and brought to them water from the rock, and gave drink to the assembly, and their cattle.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/numbers/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Take the rod, and assemble the people together, thou and Aaron thy brother, and speak to the rock before them, and it shall yield waters. And when thou hast brought forth water out of the rock, all the multitude and their cattle shall drink. <a href="/cpdv/numbers/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> “Take the rod, and gather the people, you and your brother Aaron, and speak to the rock before them, and it shall bestow waters. And when you have brought forth water from the rock, the entire multitude and their cattle shall drink.” <a href="/nabre/numbers/20.htm">New American Bible</a> Take the staff and assemble the community, you and Aaron your brother, and in their presence command the rock to yield its waters. Thereby you will bring forth water from the rock for them, and supply the community and their livestock with water. <a href="/nrsvce/numbers/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and your brother Aaron, and command the rock before their eyes to yield its water. Thus you shall bring water out of the rock for them; thus you shall provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/numbers/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Take the rod, and gather the assembly together, you and Aaron your brother, and speak over the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth its water, and you shall bring forth to them water out of the rock, so that you shall give the congregation and their cattle drink. <a href="/hpbt/numbers/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> “Take for yourself the rod and assemble the assembly, you and Ahron your brother, and speak over the rock in their sight, and it shall give its water, and bring out water to them from the rock and give drink to the assembly and to their animals.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/numbers/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes, that it give forth its water; and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock; so thou shalt give the congregation and their cattle drink.' <a href="/sep/numbers/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Take thy rod, and call the assembly, thou and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye to the rock before them, and it shall give forth its waters; and ye shall bring forth for them water out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their cattle. <a href="/parallel/numbers/20-8.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/yauBFvKLNNo?start=6281" 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/numbers/20.htm">Water from the Rock</a> …7And the LORD said to Moses, 8<a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: qaḥ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">“Take</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/4294.htm" title="4294: ham·maṭ·ṭeh (Art:: N-ms) -- Or mattah; from natah; a branch; figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising, ruling, throwing, or walking.">the staff</a> <a href="/hebrew/6950.htm" title="6950: wə·haq·hêl (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-Imp-ms) -- To gather as an assembly or congregation. A primitive root; to convoke.">and assemble</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/5712.htm" title="5712: hā·‘ê·ḏāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Congregation. Feminine of ed in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage.">the congregation.</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">You</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥî·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">and your brother</a> <a href="/hebrew/175.htm" title="175: wə·’a·hă·rōn (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- An elder brother of Moses. Of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses.">Aaron</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: wə·ḏib·bar·tem (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">are to speak</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/5553.htm" title="5553: has·se·la‘ (Art:: N-ms) -- A crag, cliff. From an unused root meaning to be lofty; a craggy rock, literally or figuratively.">the rock</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: lə·‘ê·nê·hem (Prep-l:: N-cdc:: 3mp) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">while they watch,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wə·nā·ṯan (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">and it will pour out</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mê·māw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">its water.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: wə·hō·w·ṣê·ṯā (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-2ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">You will bring out</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></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/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/5553.htm" title="5553: has·se·la‘ (Art:: N-ms) -- A crag, cliff. From an unused root meaning to be lofty; a craggy rock, literally or figuratively.">the rock</a> <a href="/hebrew/8248.htm" title="8248: wə·hiš·qî·ṯā (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-2ms) -- Cause to drink water, give to drink. A primitive root; to quaff, i.e. to irrigate or furnish a potion to.">and provide drink</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/5712.htm" title="5712: hā·‘ê·ḏāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Congregation. Feminine of ed in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage.">for the congregation</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/1165.htm" title="1165: bə·‘î·rām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Beasts, cattle. From ba'ar: cattle.">and their livestock.”</a> 9So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he had been commanded.…<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="/exodus/17-5.htm">Exodus 17:5-6</a> And the LORD said to Moses, “Walk on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you. Take along in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. / Behold, 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. <a href="/psalms/78-15.htm">Psalm 78:15-16</a> He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as abundant as the seas. / He brought streams from the stone and made water flow down like rivers. <a href="/psalms/105-41.htm">Psalm 105:41</a> He opened a rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert. <a href="/isaiah/48-21.htm">Isaiah 48:21</a> They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He made water flow for them from the rock; He split the rock, and water gushed out. <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="/deuteronomy/8-15.htm">Deuteronomy 8:15</a> 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. <a href="/nehemiah/9-15.htm">Nehemiah 9:15</a> In their hunger You gave them bread from heaven; in their thirst You brought them water from the rock. You told them to go in and possess the land that You had sworn to give them. <a href="/psalms/114-8.htm">Psalm 114:8</a> who turned the rock into a pool, the flint into a fountain of water! <a href="/john/4-10.htm">John 4:10-14</a> Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” / “Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water? / Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock?” ... <a href="/john/7-37.htm">John 7:37-39</a> On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” / He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified. <a href="/isaiah/41-17.htm">Isaiah 41:17-18</a> The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. / I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs. <a href="/isaiah/43-19.htm">Isaiah 43:19-20</a> Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert. / The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people. <a href="/revelation/22-1.htm">Revelation 22:1-2</a> Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb / down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. <a href="/exodus/15-25.htm">Exodus 15:25</a> And Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log. And when he cast it into the waters, they were sweetened. There the LORD made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He tested them, <a href="/exodus/16-4.htm">Exodus 16:4</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Take the rod, and gather you the assembly together, you, and Aaron your brother, and speak you to the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and you shall bring forth to them water out of the rock: so you shall give the congregation and their beasts drink.the rod<a href="/numbers/21-15.htm">Numbers 21:15,18</a> And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab… <a href="/exodus/4-2.htm">Exodus 4:2,17</a> And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod… <a href="/exodus/7-20.htm">Exodus 7:20</a> And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.speak<a href="/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14</a> Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.<a href="/joshua/6-5.htm">Joshua 6:5,20</a> And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him… <a href="/psalms/33-9.htm">Psalm 33:9</a> For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.bring forth<a href="/numbers/20-11.htm">Numbers 20:11</a> And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.<a href="/nehemiah/9-15.htm">Nehemiah 9:15</a> And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.<a href="/psalms/78-15.htm">Psalm 78:15,16</a> He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/20-6.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/numbers/10-4.htm">Assemble</a> <a href="/numbers/20-6.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/numbers/20-4.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/numbers/20-6.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/numbers/8-9.htm">Convene</a> <a href="/numbers/20-5.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/numbers/19-5.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-22.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-5.htm">Rock</a> <a href="/numbers/17-10.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/numbers/20-3.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/numbers/20-2.htm">Together</a> <a href="/numbers/20-5.htm">Water</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-20.htm">Yield</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/20-10.htm">Aaron</a> <a href="/numbers/20-10.htm">Assemble</a> <a href="/numbers/20-10.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/numbers/20-11.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/numbers/20-10.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-12.htm">Convene</a> <a href="/numbers/20-11.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/numbers/20-12.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/numbers/20-19.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/numbers/20-10.htm">Rock</a> <a href="/numbers/20-9.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/numbers/21-27.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/numbers/20-10.htm">Together</a> <a href="/numbers/20-10.htm">Water</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-17.htm">Yield</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 20</div>1. <a href="/numbers/20-1.htm">The children of Israel come to Zin, where Miriam dies.</a> 2. <a href="/numbers/20-2.htm">They murmur for want of water</a> 7. <a href="/numbers/20-7.htm">Moses smiting the rock, brings forth water at Meribah</a> 14. <a href="/numbers/20-14.htm">Moses at Kadesh desires passage through Edom, which is denied him</a> 22. <a href="/numbers/20-22.htm">At Mount Hor Aaron resigns his place to Eleazar, and dies</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/numbers/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Take the staff and assemble the congregation. The staff is a symbol of authority and divine power, often associated with leadership and miracles in the biblical narrative. Moses' staff was used in previous miracles, such as parting the Red Sea (<a href="/exodus/14-16.htm">Exodus 14:16</a>) and striking the rock at Horeb (<a href="/exodus/17-5.htm">Exodus 17:5-6</a>). The assembly of the congregation indicates a public demonstration of God's provision, emphasizing the communal aspect of Israel's journey and reliance on God.You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, Moses and Aaron, as leaders, are instructed to act together, highlighting the importance of unity in leadership. Speaking to the rock, rather than striking it, signifies a shift from physical action to verbal command, reflecting a deeper level of faith and obedience. This act is meant to be a public testimony to God's power and faithfulness, witnessed by the entire community.and it will pour out its water. The promise of water from the rock is a miraculous provision, symbolizing God's ability to provide life-sustaining resources in the desert. Water is often a symbol of life and blessing in Scripture, and this miracle prefigures Christ as the living water (<a href="/john/4-10.htm">John 4:10, 7</a>:38), who provides spiritual sustenance.You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock. This phrase underscores God's care for both the people and their animals, reflecting His comprehensive provision. The miracle serves as a reminder of God's past faithfulness and His ongoing commitment to meet the needs of His people. It also foreshadows Christ as the spiritual rock (<a href="/1_corinthians/10-4.htm">1 Corinthians 10:4</a>), from whom believers receive eternal life.<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 and through the wilderness. In this passage, Moses is instructed by God to speak to the rock to bring forth water. 2. <a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a> Moses' brother and the high priest of Israel. He accompanies Moses in assembling the congregation and witnessing the miracle. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_congregation_of_israel.htm">The Congregation of Israel</a> The collective body of the Israelites who are journeying through the wilderness. They are in need of water, and their complaints prompt God's instructions to Moses. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_rock.htm">The Rock</a> A physical object in the wilderness that God uses to demonstrate His power and provision. The rock is symbolic of Christ in the New Testament, as the source of living water. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness_of_zin.htm">The Wilderness of Zin</a> The geographical location where this event takes place. It represents a place of testing and reliance on God's provision.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_instructions.htm">Obedience to God's Instructions</a> God’s command to Moses was specific—speak to the rock. This teaches us the importance of following God's instructions precisely, as deviation can lead to consequences. <a href="/topical/g/god's_provision.htm">God's Provision</a> The miracle of water from the rock demonstrates God's ability to provide for our needs, even in seemingly impossible situations. Trust in His provision is crucial. <a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_the_rock.htm">Symbolism of the Rock</a> The rock is a type of Christ, the source of living water. Just as the rock provided physical sustenance, Christ provides spiritual sustenance and eternal life. <a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_responsibility.htm">Leadership and Responsibility</a> Moses and Aaron's roles highlight the responsibility of leaders to act in faith and obedience, setting an example for those they lead. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a> The act of speaking to the rock required faith. Our faith should be active, trusting God to work through our obedience.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 20</a> <a href="/q/why_do_numbers_20_8-11_and_exodus_17_6_differ.htm">Numbers 20:8–11 – Why does this passage seem inconsistent with Exodus 17:6 regarding the instructions God gives Moses for drawing water from a rock? </a> <a href="/q/why_is_moses_barred_for_striking_the_rock.htm">Numbers 27:12–14: Why is Moses barred from entering the Promised Land for striking the rock, which seems like a minor offense? </a> <a href="/q/how_did_an_iron_axe_float_with_a_stick.htm">2 Kings 6:5–7: How could an iron axe head float on water merely by throwing in a stick, defying basic physics? </a> <a href="/q/is_psalm_114_8_consistent_with_moses'_rock.htm">Does the miraculous water from rock in Psalm 114:8 align with other biblical accounts of Moses striking a rock, or are there inconsistencies? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) Take the rod.--It has been supposed by some, from the fact that the rod is represented as being taken "from before the Lord" (<a href="/numbers/20-9.htm" title="And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.">Numbers 20:9</a>), that the reference is to the rod of Aaron which was kept "before the testimony" (<a href="/numbers/17-10.htm" title="And the LORD said to Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and you shall quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.">Numbers 17:10</a>). On the other hand, the natural presumption that the rod was the same as that with which some of the previous miracles in Egypt and those at the Red Sea and at Rephidim had been wrought is confirmed by the facts that the name of Aaron is not mentioned in this verse until after the mention of the rod, and that Moses is said, in <a href="/numbers/20-11.htm" title="And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.">Numbers 20:11</a>, to have smitten the rock "with his rod."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 8. - Take the rod. The ῤάβδος, or staff of office, with which Moses and Aaron had worked wonders before Pharaoh (<a href="/exodus/7-9.htm">Exodus 7:9</a> sq.), and with which Moses had smitten the rock in Rephidim (<a href="/exodus/17-6.htm">Exodus 17:6</a>). This rod had not been mentioned, nor perhaps used, since then; but we might certainly have supposed that the instrument of so many miracles would be reverently laid up in the tabernacle "before the Lord," and, this we find from the next verse to have been the case. Gather thou the assembly together, i.e., by their representatives. Speak ye unto the rock before their eyes. The word used for the rock in this narrative is הַסֶּלַע instead of הַצּוּר, as in <a href="/exodus/17.htm">Exodus 17</a>. It does not seem that any certain distinction of meaning can be drawn between the words, which are obviously interchanged in <a href="/judges/6-20.htm">Judges 6:20, 21</a>, and are both translated πέτρα by the Septuagint; but the careful use of different terms in the two narratives serves to distinguish them, just as the use of κοφίνους and σπυρίδας by St. Mark (<a href="/mark/6-43.htm">Mark 6:43</a>; <a href="/mark/8-8.htm">Mark 8:8, 19, 20</a>) helps to distinguish the two miracles of feeding the multitude. <a href="/commentaries/numbers/20-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“Take קַ֣ח (qaḥ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take the staff הַמַּטֶּ֗ה (ham·maṭ·ṭeh) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4294.htm">Strong's 4294: </a> A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe and assemble וְהַקְהֵ֤ל (wə·haq·hêl) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6950.htm">Strong's 6950: </a> To gather as an assembly or congregation the congregation. הָעֵדָה֙ (hā·‘ê·ḏāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5712.htm">Strong's 5712: </a> A stated assemblage You אַתָּה֙ (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you and your brother אָחִ֔יךָ (’ā·ḥî·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) Aaron וְאַהֲרֹ֣ן (wə·’a·hă·rōn) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_175.htm">Strong's 175: </a> Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses are to speak וְדִבַּרְתֶּ֧ם (wə·ḏib·bar·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the rock הַסֶּ֛לַע (has·se·la‘) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5553.htm">Strong's 5553: </a> A craggy rock while they watch, לְעֵינֵיהֶ֖ם (lə·‘ê·nê·hem) Preposition-l | Noun - cdc | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> An eye, a fountain and it will pour out וְנָתַ֣ן (wə·nā·ṯan) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set its water. מֵימָ֑יו (mê·māw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen You will bring out וְהוֹצֵאתָ֨ (wə·hō·w·ṣê·ṯā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim water מַ֙יִם֙ (ma·yim) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen from מִן־ (min-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of the rock הַסֶּ֔לַע (has·se·la‘) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5553.htm">Strong's 5553: </a> A craggy rock and provide drink וְהִשְׁקִיתָ֥ (wə·hiš·qî·ṯā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8248.htm">Strong's 8248: </a> To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to for the congregation הָעֵדָ֖ה (hā·‘ê·ḏāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5712.htm">Strong's 5712: </a> A stated assemblage and their livestock.? בְּעִירָֽם׃ (bə·‘î·rām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1165.htm">Strong's 1165: </a> Beasts, cattle <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/20-8.htm">Numbers 20:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/numbers/20-8.htm">Numbers 20:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/numbers/20-8.htm">Numbers 20:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/numbers/20-8.htm">Numbers 20:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/numbers/20-8.htm">Numbers 20:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/20-8.htm">Numbers 20:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/20-8.htm">Numbers 20:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/20-8.htm">Numbers 20:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/20-8.htm">Numbers 20:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/numbers/20-8.htm">Numbers 20:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/numbers/20-8.htm">OT Law: Numbers 20:8 Take the rod and assemble the congregation (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/20-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 20:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 20:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/20-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 20:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 20:9" /></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>