Exodus 17:4-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:1-7

Christ our Spring. "They drank of that spiritual rock," etc. ( 1 Corinthians 10:4 ). Introduction may deal with the following important items, as all leading up to the theme of the homily—the journey from Sin to Rephidim ( Numbers 33:12-14 ), the incidents connected with furnishing water out of the rock—the fact that the water may have followed Israel for at least a few stations—and on that fact (not on the [Rabbinical legend) found the New Testament application of the Apostle... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:1-7

The giving of water in Rephidim. I. OBSERVE HOW THE PEOPLE CAME TO REPHIDIM . There is a distinct intimation that it was according to the commandment of Jehovah. He it was who led them where there was no water to drink, and equally he must have given them the intimation to pitch their tents. And we who read the narrative are not at all discomposed on learning that there was no water in this place of encampment. We remember how God has already shown that his ways are not as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:1-7

Trial and failure. I. THE PURPOSE OF RECURRING TRIALS . Israel, tried before at Marah, is now led from the comforts of Elim to the thirsty land of Rephidim. They might have learned something of their own heart and of God's unfailing goodness, and now they are led hither that he may prove whether they will serve him or no. Trial comes that the teachings of truth may be changed into the convictions of trust. II. ISRAEL 'S CRIME . 1 . It was not unbelief, but impious... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:4

And Moses cried unto the Lord. It is one of the most prominent traits of the character of Moses, that, at the occurrence of a difficulty, he always carries it straight to God. (See Exodus 15:25 ; Exodus 24:15 ; Exodus 32:30 ; Exodus 33:8 ; Numbers 11:2 , Numbers 11:11 ; Numbers 12:11 ; Numbers 14:13-19 , etc.) They be almost ready to stone me. This is the first which we hear of stoning as a punishment. It is naturally one of the easiest modes of wreaking popular... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:5

Go on before the people. "Leave the people," i.e; "where they are, in Rephidim, and go on in front of them, with some of the elders as witnesses, that the miracle may be sufficiently attested." On the other occasion, when water was brought forth out of the rock ( Numbers 20:8-11 ), it was done in the presence of the people. Perhaps now there was a real danger of their stoning Moses, had he not quitted them. Thy rod with which thou smotest the river. See above, Exodus 7:20 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:6

Behold, I will stand before thee there. A visible Divine appearance seems to be intended, which would guide Moses to the exact place where he should strike. The rock in Horeb must have been a remarkable object, already known to Moses during the time that he dwelt in the Sinai-Horeb region; but its exact locality cannot be pointed out. It cannot, however, have been very far distant from Rephidim. (See Exodus 17:8 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:6

That rock was Christ. In the statement of Paul—"They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ" ( 1 Corinthians 10:4 )—we have a clear assertion of the typical character of this transaction at Rephidim. We may either suppose the term "Rock" in the first clause to be used by metonymy for the water which flowed from the rock, or we may understand the allusion to be to hint of whom the rock was but a symbol, and who did accompany the Israelites in their... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 17:6

The rock in Horeb - (a rock situated, according to Arab tradition, in Wady Feiran. Horeb was a name given to the whole desert of Sinai and subsequently attached to the mountain. Palmer).It is questioned whether the water thus supplied ceased with the immediate occasion; see 1 Corinthians 10:4, the general meaning of which appears to be that their wants were ever supplied from Him, of whom the rock was but a symbol, and who accompanied them in all their wanderings. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 17:5-6

Exodus 17:5-6. Go before the people Though they spoke of stoning him. He must take his rod with him, not to summon some plague to chastise them, but to fetch water for their supply. O the wonderful patience and forbearance of God toward provoking sinners! He maintains those that are at war with him, and reaches out the hand of his bounty to those that lift up the heel against him. If God had only showed Moses a fountain of water in the wilderness, as he did to Hagar, not far from hence,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 17:1-16

Events at Rephidim (17:1-16)When the people arrived at Rephidim and found no water, they again complained against God and against Moses. Once more Moses prayed for them and once more God miraculously provided. The names by which the place became known, Massah and Meribah, reminded the people of how they ‘tested’ God (Massah) and ‘argued with’ Moses (Meribah) (17:1-7).The Amalekites, a race of wild desert nomads descended from Esau (see Genesis 36:12,Genesis 36:16), saw the migration of the... read more

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