King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Because the community had no water, they assembled themselves against Moshe and Aharon.
Berean Standard Bible:
Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron.
American Standard Version:
And there was no water for the congregation: and they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And there was no water{H4325} for the congregation{H5712}: and they gathered{H6950} themselves together against Moses{H4872} and against Aaron{H175}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 16:19
- And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.
Numbers 16:42
- And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
Exodus 15:23
- 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.
Exodus 15:24
- And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
Exodus 17:1
- ¶ And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and [there was] no water for the people to drink.
Exodus 17:4
- And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
Exodus 16:2
- And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 20:2
**Themes:**
Numbers 20:2 touches on several key themes:
1. **Leadership and Accountability:** The Israelites' complaint against Moses and Aaron reflects the challenges of leadership and the expectation that leaders will provide for the basic needs of their people.
2. **Faith and Trust in God:** The lack of water tests the people's faith in God's provision and their willingness to trust in His plan and timing.
3. **Community and Unity:** The congregation's collective action highlights the importance of community cohesion, but also the potential for group dissent and conflict in times of hardship.
4. **Divine Testing and Human Response:** This situation is part of the broader theme of God testing the Israelites (and their leaders), observing how they will respond to adversity.
**Historical Context:**
The book of Numbers chronicles the events following the Exodus, as the Israelites wander in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. Numbers 20:2 occurs after the Israelites have left Mount Sinai and are journeying through the wilderness of Zin. This period is characterized by the challenges of desert life, including scarce resources like water, and the struggles of a large group of people maintaining faith and order while relying on divine providence.
The historical context also includes the Israelites' ongoing development as a nation. They are transitioning from a recently freed slave people to a self-governing community with laws and a covenant relationship with God. Their experiences in the wilderness, including their recurring complaints and the leaders' responses, are formative for their identity and their understanding of God's expectations and promises.
In this particular incident, the lack of water leads to a direct confrontation with Moses and Aaron, setting the stage for a significant moment of leadership and divine intervention, which ultimately has lasting consequences for the Israelite leaders.
*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: 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: H5712
There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵדָה
Transliteration: ʻêdâh
Pronunciation: ay-daw'
Description: feminine of עֵד in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd); assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. Compare עֵדָה. - Strong's Number: H6950
There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָהַל
Transliteration: qâhal
Pronunciation: 'kaw-hal'
Description: a primitive root; to convoke; assemble (selves) (together), gather (selves) (together). - Strong's Number: H4872
There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
Transliteration: Môsheh
Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses. - Strong's Number: H175
There are 480 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַהֲרוֹן
Transliteration: ʼAhărôwn
Pronunciation: a-har-one'
Description: of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses; Aaron.