Exodus 17:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 17:1-7

Here is, I. The strait that the children of Israel were in for want of water; once before the were in the like distress, and now, a second time, Exod. 17:1. They journeyed according to the commandment of the Lord, led by the pillar of cloud and fire, and yet they came to a place where there was no water for them to drink. Note, We may be in the way of our duty, and yet may meet with troubles, which Providence brings us into for the trial of our faith, and that God may be glorified in our... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 17:7

And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah ,.... The former signifies "temptation", and the latter "contention": the reason of which names being given by Moses, or whoever was the name of the place, follows: "because of the chiding of the children of Israel"; that was the reason why it was called by the last name, Meribah, because here, the Israelites chid and contended with Moses, and used him opprobriously: and because they tempted the Lord ; therefore it had the former... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 17:7

He called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah - מסה Massah signifies temptation or trial; and מריבה Meribah , contention or litigation. From 1 Corinthians 10:4 , we learn that this rock was a type of Christ, and their drinking of it is represented as their being made partakers of the grace and mercy of God through Christ Jesus; and yet many who drank fell and perished in the wilderness in the very act of disobedience! Reader, be not high minded, but fear! On the smiting of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 17:7

Verse 7 7.And he called the name of the place. The verb here might be taken indefinitely, as if it were said, that this name was given to the place; but it is more probable that Moses, at God’s command, so called the place, in order that the Israelites might be more ready to acknowledge their crime, when thus it was marked with double infamy. Although it was not only His intention to impress this feeling upon their minds, but also to hand down the memory of it to posterity. The same reproof is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:1-7

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:1-7

Water out of the rock. "They did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ" ( 1 Corinthians 10:4 ). When man is at his last gasp, perishing for lack of what he sorely needs, then God lavishes his mercies. All previous trials were as nothing compared with that which befel Israel at Rephidim. Lips parched, throats dry, bodies fevered with heat, hearts expectant and buoyed up with hope till the close of the day,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:1-7

The water from the rock. The Israelites pursued their journey to the mount of God. It was— 1 . By stages—"after their journeys." It is well to discipline the mind to look at life as a succession of stages. "Most people can bear one day's evil; the thing that breaks one down is the trying to bear on one day the evil of two days, twenty days, a hundred days." 2 . According to God's commandment—following still the guiding cloud. 3 . It brought them in due course to Rephidim, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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