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.

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}.

They arrived at Marah but couldn't drink the water there, because it was bitter. This is why they called it Marah [bitterness].

And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. (That is why it was named Marah.)

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.

Commentary

Exodus 15:23 describes a pivotal moment in the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their miraculous deliverance from Egypt. Upon arriving at a place named Marah, the people discovered the water was undrinkable due to its bitter taste, leading to immediate distress and complaint.

Context

This verse immediately follows the triumphant parting of the Red Sea and the exuberant Song of Moses and Miriam, celebrating God's mighty salvation. The journey to Marah was the first significant challenge encountered after three days in the Wilderness of Shur without finding fresh water. This abrupt shift from celebration to hardship quickly tested the people's newfound faith and trust in God's continued provision.

Key Themes

Testing and Trust: The bitter waters of Marah served as an immediate test of the Israelites' faith. After witnessing incredible miracles, they faced a practical, life-threatening problem that required them to trust God beyond their immediate circumstances.
God's Provision: Though the verse highlights the problem, it sets the stage for God's swift and miraculous solution (detailed in the subsequent verses), demonstrating His faithfulness to His people even in challenging environments.
Human Grumbling: The people's reaction to the bitter water—complaining against Moses—is a recurring theme throughout their wilderness wanderings, highlighting the struggle between faith and fear, and reliance on God versus self-pity.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Marah" (מָרָה, marah) is a Hebrew word that literally means "bitter" or "bitterness." The verse explicitly states, "therefore the name of it was called Marah," emphasizing that the place was named precisely because of the undrinkable, bitter quality of its waters. This naming convention is common in the Bible, where places often derive their names from significant events or characteristics associated with them.

Practical Application

The experience at Marah is a powerful spiritual lesson for believers today. Life often presents its own "bitter waters"—unforeseen difficulties, disappointments, or challenging circumstances that seem impossible to overcome. This account reminds us:

Challenges are Inevitable: Even after great spiritual victories, trials will come.
God is the Solution: Rather than grumbling or despairing, we are called to bring our "bitter" situations to God, who can provide healing and make the unpalatable sweet. This narrative prefigures God's greater redemptive work, where He transforms our bitter experiences into testimonies of His grace, aligning with His declaration, "I am the LORD that healeth thee".
Trust is Essential: Our response to trials reveals the depth of our trust in God's character and His ability to provide, even when the path ahead seems bleak.

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Cross-References

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.