King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Take the staff, assemble the community, you and Aharon your brother; and before their eyes, tell the rock to produce its water. You will bring them water out of the rock and thus enable the community and their livestock to drink."
Berean Standard Bible:
“Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.”
American Standard Version:
Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes, that it give forth its water; and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock; so thou shalt give the congregation and their cattle drink.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Take{H3947} the rod{H4294}, and gather{H6950} thou the assembly{H5712} together, thou, and Aaron{H175} thy brother{H251}, and speak{H1696} ye unto the rock{H5553} before their eyes{H5869}; and it shall give forth{H5414} his water{H4325}, and thou shalt bring forth{H3318} to them water{H4325} out of the rock{H5553}: so thou shalt give{H8248} the congregation{H5712} and their beasts{H1165} drink{H8248}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 4:17
- And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.
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 17:6
- Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Isaiah 43:20
- The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.
Revelation 22:17
- And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Numbers 21:15
- And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab.
Luke 11:13
- If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 20:8
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Provision:** The verse highlights God's ability to provide for His people in miraculous ways, specifically by producing water from a rock.
- **Obedience and Faith:** It underscores the importance of following God's instructions exactly, as well as the necessity of trusting in His power to perform miracles.
- **Leadership and Responsibility:** The command to Moses and Aaron illustrates the roles of leaders in guiding the people and demonstrating God's power and faithfulness.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **The Israelites' Journey:** This event occurs during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings after their exodus from Egypt. The people are traveling to the Promised Land, and the journey is fraught with hardships and moments of testing.
- **Water Scarcity:** The Israelites are in a location called Meribah, where there is no water for the people and their livestock. This situation leads to the people quarreling with Moses and Aaron.
- **Moses' Test:** This incident serves as a test of Moses' leadership and his ability to manage the people's complaints and maintain their trust in God. It is also a moment of personal trial for Moses, as he is instructed to act in a seemingly illogical way (speaking to a rock) to bring forth water.
In Numbers 20:8, God instructs Moses to take his rod, gather the assembly, and speak to the rock to produce water. However, in the subsequent narrative, Moses instead strikes the rock twice, an act of disobedience that leads to God's displeasure and has consequences for both Moses and Aaron. This event is often interpreted as a lesson in the importance of following God's commands precisely and the need for leaders to model faith and obedience.
*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: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H4294
There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַטֶּה
Transliteration: maṭṭeh
Pronunciation: mat-teh'
Description: or (feminine) מַטָּה; from נָטָה; a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a support of life, e.g. bread); rod, staff, tribe. - 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: 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: 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. - Strong's Number: H251
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָח
Transliteration: ʼâch
Pronunciation: awkh
Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. - Strong's Number: H1696
There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָבַר
Transliteration: dâbar
Pronunciation: daw-bar'
Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. - Strong's Number: H5553
There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סֶלַע
Transliteration: çelaʻ
Pronunciation: seh'-lah
Description: from an unused root meaning to be lofty; a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress); (ragged) rock, stone(-ny), strong hold. - Strong's Number: H5869
There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִן
Transliteration: ʻayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - 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: H3318
There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָצָא
Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. - Strong's Number: H8248
There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁקָה
Transliteration: shâqâh
Pronunciation: shaw-kaw'
Description: a primitive root; to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to; cause to (give, give to, let, make to) drink, drown, moisten, water. See שָׁכַר, שָׁתָה. - Strong's Number: H1165
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּעִיר
Transliteration: bᵉʻîyr
Pronunciation: beh-ere'
Description: from בָּעַר (in the sense of eating); cattle; beast, cattle.