King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they [were] bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They arrived at Marah but couldn't drink the water there, because it was bitter. This is why they called it Marah [bitterness].
Berean Standard Bible:
And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. (That is why it was named Marah.)
American Standard Version:
And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And when they came{H935} to Marah{H4785}, they could{H3201} not drink{H8354} of the waters{H4325} of Marah{H4785}, for they were bitter{H4751}: therefore the name{H8034} of it was called{H7121} Marah{H4785}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ruth 1:20
- And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
Numbers 33:8
- And they departed from before Pihahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 15:23
**Themes:**
Exodus 15:23 touches on several themes:
1. **Testing and Complaint:** This verse reflects the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, which is marked by moments of testing and complaint. The bitter waters at Marah symbolize the challenges faced by the people as they adapt to a harsh, desert environment after their deliverance from Egypt.
2. **Divine Provision and Deliverance:** The incident at Marah is an example of God's provision and deliverance. Shortly after this verse, God instructs Moses to throw a piece of wood into the water to make it sweet (Exodus 15:25), which prefigures the way God will continue to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of the Israelites.
3. **Obedience and Faith:** The story encourages themes of obedience and faith in God's guidance, as the Israelites must trust in Moses' leadership and God's promises, even when their immediate circumstances seem dire.
**Historical Context:**
Exodus 15:23 is set within the broader narrative of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, which is one of the central events in the Hebrew Bible. This verse occurs shortly after the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and the Song of Moses and Miriam (Exodus 15:1-21), celebrating the defeat of Pharaoh's army.
The Israelites are on their way to the Promised Land, but their journey is fraught with difficulties. The historical context is one of transition for the Israelites, from a people enslaved in Egypt to a nation under God's covenant. The wilderness experience is a formative period where they learn to rely on God for their sustenance and protection.
The name "Marah," meaning "bitter," is significant because it reflects the harsh reality of the desert, where sources of fresh water were scarce and precious. The transformation of the bitter waters into sweet, drinkable water is a concrete demonstration of God's power and care for His people, a necessary reassurance during this uncertain time in their history.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H4785
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָרָה
Transliteration: Mârâh
Pronunciation: maw-raw'
Description: the same as מַר feminine; bitter; Marah, a place in the Desert; Marah. - Strong's Number: H3201
There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָכֹל
Transliteration: yâkôl
Pronunciation: yaw-kole'
Description: or (fuller) יָכוֹל; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might); be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer. - Strong's Number: H8354
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁתָה
Transliteration: shâthâh
Pronunciation: shaw-thaw'
Description: a primitive root; to imbibe (literally or figuratively); [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of שָׁקָה.) - Strong's Number: H4325
There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַיִם
Transliteration: mayim
Pronunciation: mah'-yim
Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). - Strong's Number: H4751
There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַר
Transliteration: mar
Pronunciation: mar
Description: or (feminine) מָרָה; from מָרַר; bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly; [phrase] angry, bitter(-ly, -ness), chafed, discontented, [idiom] great, heavy. - Strong's Number: H8034
There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁם
Transliteration: shêm
Pronunciation: shame
Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. - Strong's Number: H7121
There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָא
Transliteration: qârâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.