Exodus 17:5 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.

Exodus 17:5 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.

5. the Lord said unto Moses, &c.--not to smite the rebels, but the rock; not to bring a stream of blood from the breast of the offenders, but a stream of water from the granite cliffs. The cloud rested on a particular rock, just as the star rested on the house where the infant Saviour was lodged [Mt 2:9]. And from the rod-smitten rock there forthwith gushed a current of pure and refreshing water. It was perhaps the greatest miracle performed by Moses, and in many respects bore a resemblance to the greatest of Christ's: being done without ostentation and in the presence of a few chosen witnesses (1Co 10:4).

JFB.

Questions Related to this Verse

Dynamically load content in Bootstrap Modal with AJAX

Select a Chapter

Select a Book of the Bible

Exodus 17 Images and Notes

Brief Summary: The Israelites again murmur about water and Moses smites the rock at Horeb, water gushes forth from the rock, the Amalekites attacked the host of Israel, Israel goes to battle, Moses raises his staff on the Hill for all the people to see, Aaron and Hur hold up Moses hands so the Joshua prevails against Amalek. Him him

Outline
1 The people murmur for water at Rephidim
5 God sends them for water to the rock in Horeb
8 Amalek is overcome by the raising of Moses' hands
15 Moses builds the altar Jehovah-nissi

Painting of Aaron and Hur helping Moses

Important Topics for Bible Study
The children of Israel come to Rephidim
there is no water and the people murmured against Moses
Moses cries to the Lord
the Lord calls Moses to Mount Horeb
Moses smote the rock and water comes out
Moses names the place where the water gushed out
Amalek attacks the Israelites
Moses appoints Joshua to fight for Israel
Joshua succeeds only when Moses's hands are raised on the hillside
when his hands go down Amalek prevails
Israel wins the battle and Moses built an altar
Moses gives a name for the occasion and the meaning
Jehovah Nissi - The LORD is our banner or ensign
The war will never end with Amalek
Amalek descended from Esau

Quick Reference Map

Map of the Possible Route of the Exodus (Click to Enlarge)

Ancient Customs
murmured
rod of God
rock at Horeb
encampment
warfare

Ancient People
God, Moses, Aaron, Hur, Joshua, Amalek
the LORD

Geography
the wilderness of Sin
Rephidim
Horeb
Massah
Meribah

Quick Reference Maps

The Exodus of the Hebrews

Mount Horeb

The Red Sea

Map of the Red Sea and Egypt (Click to Enlarge)

The Old Testament

Exodus Resources

Moses and the Exodus
The Giving of the Law
The Tabernacle
The Wilderness Wanderings