Exodus 15:24

KJV

And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

KJV (with Strong's)

And the people {H5971} murmured {H3885} against Moses {H4872}, saying {H559}, What shall we drink {H8354}?

Complete Jewish Bible

The people grumbled against Moshe and asked, "What are we to drink?"

Berean Standard Bible

So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”

American Standard Version

And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 15:24 captures a critical moment in Israel's wilderness journey, just days after their miraculous Red Sea deliverance and the triumphant "Song of Moses." Despite witnessing God's overwhelming power and provision, the people quickly succumb to fear and discontent when faced with a lack of water, murmuring against Moses and, by extension, against God. This verse starkly highlights the fragility of human faith, the rapid shift from exuberant praise to desperate complaint, and the challenging realities of their desert trek, establishing a pattern for future tests of trust and obedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after the Israelites' awe-inspiring deliverance from Egyptian bondage through the parting of the Red Sea, recounted in [Exodus 14:21-31](/exodus/14-21-31 "Exodus 14:21-31 - The Red Sea Crossing and Pharaoh's Defeat"). The preceding passage, [Exodus 15:1-19](/exodus/15-1-19 "Exodus 15:1-19 - The Song of Moses and Miriam"), presents the "Song of Moses," a magnificent hymn of praise and thanksgiving to Yahweh for His mighty salvation and triumph over Pharaoh's army. Following this peak of spiritual exultation, [Exodus 15:22-23](/exodus/15-22-23 "Exodus 15:22-23 - Journey to Marah") describes their three-day journey into the wilderness of Shur without finding drinkable water, culminating in their arrival at Marah, where the waters were bitter. Exodus 15:24 thus marks a dramatic and swift transition from corporate worship and celebration to collective complaint, underscoring the immediate and pressing physical needs that often overshadowed their recent spiritual triumphs. This rapid shift foreshadows a recurring theme of testing and human failing throughout the wilderness narrative, setting the stage for God's continued miraculous provision and the people's ongoing spiritual formation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The wilderness journey was an essential, albeit arduous, part of God's plan for Israel, designed to transform a nation of slaves into a people wholly dependent on Him. The wilderness of Shur, a desolate region east of the Red Sea, was characterized by extreme aridity, scarce water sources, and harsh conditions, making sustained travel perilous without divine intervention. For a vast multitude, including women, children, and livestock, the lack of water was not merely an inconvenience but an existential threat, a matter of life and death. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, water was a fundamental necessity, and its scarcity often led to desperate measures and social unrest. Furthermore, the Israelites were a newly liberated people, still shedding the mindset of slavery, which often included a tendency to complain and look back to the perceived "security" of their former lives, even if it was in bondage. Their murmuring against Moses reflects not only their immediate physical distress but also a deeper spiritual immaturity and a failure to fully trust the God who had so powerfully delivered them from [Pharaoh's oppressive hand](/exodus/14-31 "Exodus 14:31 - God's Deliverance and Israel's Belief"). This context highlights the immense challenge of leading such a large and vulnerable population through a hostile environment, where every basic need became a test of faith and leadership.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 15:24 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Testing and Provision**, demonstrating how God leads His people into challenging circumstances to reveal their hearts and to teach them absolute reliance on Him for every necessity, from physical sustenance to spiritual guidance. This verse also highlights the pervasive theme of **Human Faithlessness and Murmuring**, showcasing the Israelites' recurring tendency to doubt God's goodness and complain against His appointed leaders, despite overwhelming evidence of His power and faithfulness, a pattern seen repeatedly in passages like [Numbers 11:1](/numbers/11-1 "Numbers 11:1 - Israel Complains at Taberah") and [Numbers 14:2-4](/numbers/14-2-4 "Numbers 14:2-4 - Israel's Rebellion at Kadesh Barnea"). Conversely, it underscores the theme of **God's Enduring Patience and Faithfulness**, as He consistently responds to their complaints with grace and provision rather than immediate judgment, demonstrating His steadfast love and commitment to His covenant people, as He does later at Rephidim in [Exodus 17:1-7](/exodus/17-1-7 "Exodus 17:1-7 - Water from the Rock at Rephidim"). Finally, it touches on the theme of **Leadership Challenges**, depicting the immense burden and spiritual fortitude required of Moses in guiding a people prone to doubt and rebellion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **murmured (Hebrew, _lûwn'_):** This verb (H3885) signifies more than simple complaining; it describes a deep, internal discontent that boils over into vocal grumbling, often uttered in low, rebellious tones. It implies an act of being obstinate or staying permanently in a state of complaint, revealing a spirit of distrust and often, an implicit or explicit accusation against God or His appointed leaders. Throughout the wilderness narratives, *lûwn* consistently characterizes Israel's lack of faith and their rebellious attitude in the face of hardship, demonstrating a heart that questions God's goodness and provision despite His demonstrated faithfulness.
* **people (Hebrew, _ʿam'_):** This noun (H5971) refers to the collective body of the Israelites, the chosen nation of God, understood as a congregated unit or a tribe. The use of "the people" emphasizes the widespread and communal nature of the complaint, indicating that this was not an isolated incident but a pervasive sentiment among the multitude. It underscores the challenge of leading a large group whose collective spiritual state could quickly shift from praise to panic, and highlights the shared responsibility for their corporate spiritual condition.
* **drink (Hebrew, _shâthâh'_):** This primitive root verb (H8354) means "to imbibe," highlighting the very basic, immediate physical need that triggered their complaint. The question "What shall we drink?" is not merely a request but an expression of desperation and an implied accusation, suggesting that Moses, and by extension God, had led them into an impossible situation without providing for their most essential need. This word underscores the raw, primal nature of their distress and the fundamental human reliance on water for survival.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the people murmured against Moses,"**: This clause immediately reveals the dramatic shift from the preceding triumph and song of praise to a state of profound discontent. The "murmuring" (Hebrew *lûn*) signifies a deep-seated grumbling, a low, rebellious complaint that is not merely an expression of need but an accusation. Their complaint is directed "against Moses," who, as God's appointed leader, bore the brunt of their frustration. However, murmuring against Moses was, in essence, murmuring against God Himself, as Moses was God's representative and instrument of deliverance. This highlights a fundamental lack of trust in God's ongoing care and provision, despite the recent, overwhelming evidence of His power at the Red Sea. It sets the stage for a recurring pattern of rebellion in the wilderness.
* **"saying, What shall we drink?"**: This direct question articulates the immediate and pressing physical need that triggered their discontent. The absence of drinkable water for three days had escalated into a crisis for such a vast multitude. The question, while seemingly innocent, carries an undertone of accusation and despair. It implies, "Why have you brought us out here to die of thirst? Where is your provision?" This demonstrates how quickly a vital physical need can overshadow spiritual memory and trust, leading to a focus on the problem rather than the Provider. It also sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention, which often follows such expressions of human inadequacy and doubt, thereby reinforcing His sovereignty and faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 15:24 employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Irony**, as the people's immediate descent into complaint stands in stark contrast to their recent, exuberant "Song of Moses" (Exodus 15:1-19), a magnificent hymn of praise for God's deliverance. This rapid shift from corporate worship to collective protest highlights the volatile nature of human faith and the fleeting memory of divine intervention when faced with new hardships. There is also a powerful element of **Contrast** between God's magnificent power displayed at the Red Sea and the people's profound lack of faith just days later. This contrast underscores the human tendency to forget past blessings in the face of present difficulties and to quickly revert to a mindset of scarcity rather than trust. Furthermore, this verse serves as **Foreshadowing**, establishing a recurring pattern of Israel's murmuring throughout their wilderness journey (e.g., Numbers 14:2-4), which becomes a defining characteristic of their rebellion and a constant test of God's patience and faithfulness. The stark simplicity of the question, "What shall we drink?" also functions as a form of **Rhetorical Question**, expressing not a genuine inquiry but a desperate, accusatory lament born of fear and distrust.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 15:24 is a profound theological statement on the nature of human faith, divine testing, and God's unwavering provision. It reveals the inherent sinfulness and spiritual immaturity of humanity, demonstrating how quickly the memory of God's mighty acts can fade when immediate physical needs arise. The murmuring of the Israelites against Moses, and implicitly against God, underscores the theme of rebellion against divine authority and a lack of trust in God's ongoing care, even after experiencing monumental miracles. This wilderness experience was designed by God not to punish, but to test and refine His people, teaching them absolute dependence on Him for every necessity. It highlights God's patience and His commitment to His covenant, even in the face of human unfaithfulness, as He consistently responds to their complaints with provision rather than immediate judgment, thereby revealing His character as a faithful and compassionate Provider.

* [Numbers 14:2-4](/numbers/14-2-4 "Numbers 14:2-4 - Israel's Rebellion and Desire to Return to Egypt")
* [Deuteronomy 8:2-3](/deuteronomy/8-2-3 "Deuteronomy 8:2-3 - God's Testing and Provision in the Wilderness")
* [Psalm 78:17-20](/psalm/78-17-20 "Psalm 78:17-20 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Miraculous Provision")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 15:24 serves as a timeless mirror reflecting the human tendency to complain and lose perspective when faced with adversity, even after experiencing profound blessings. For contemporary believers, this passage is a powerful reminder that our faith is often most tested not in moments of triumph, but in the mundane, challenging realities of life, particularly when our basic needs seem unmet. It challenges us to cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty and provision, remembering His past faithfulness in our lives and in the history of salvation, rather than allowing immediate difficulties to overshadow His enduring character. Instead of succumbing to a spirit of murmuring, which often leads to bitterness, ingratitude, and a questioning of God's goodness, we are called to bring our anxieties and needs to God in prayer with thanksgiving, confident that He cares for us and will provide in His perfect timing and way. This wilderness experience encourages us to embrace trials as opportunities for spiritual growth, learning patience and a deeper reliance on God alone, recognizing that He uses such moments to refine our faith, deepen our dependence, and draw us closer to Him, transforming our hearts from complaint to trust.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How quickly do I forget God's past faithfulness and provision when faced with present difficulties or unmet needs?**
* **What is my immediate reaction when circumstances become challenging and I feel a lack of provision? Do I murmur or do I pray with trust?**
* **In what "wilderness" experiences is God currently testing my trust and teaching me to rely more fully on Him for every necessity?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart of gratitude and remembrance of God's past works to counteract the tendency to complain in present trials?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Israelites complain so quickly after seeing such a great miracle?**

Answer: The rapid shift from praise to complaint highlights several aspects of human nature and the Israelites' spiritual immaturity. Despite witnessing the [Red Sea parting](/exodus/14-21-31 "Exodus 14:21-31 - The Red Sea Crossing") and Pharaoh's defeat, their faith was still nascent and largely dependent on immediate circumstances. They were a people newly freed from centuries of slavery, accustomed to a life of provision (albeit under oppression) and not yet trained in absolute reliance on God in the wilderness. The immediate physical threat of thirst, a matter of life and death for such a large multitude, quickly overshadowed their memory of God's recent power. This demonstrates the fragility of human faith when confronted with pressing physical needs, and how easily fear and discomfort can eclipse spiritual gratitude and trust in God's ongoing care. It also underscores that true faith is not merely intellectual assent to past miracles, but an ongoing, active trust in God's character and future provision, even when circumstances are dire.

**Was Moses truly the target of their complaint, or was it directed at God?**

Answer: While the people's complaint was verbally directed "against Moses," it was implicitly and ultimately directed against God Himself. Moses was God's chosen leader and representative; to complain against Moses was to question God's wisdom, leadership, and provision through His appointed agent. This is a recurring theme in the wilderness narratives, where the people's grumbling against Moses and Aaron is consistently interpreted by God as a direct affront to Him (e.g., [Numbers 14:27](/numbers/14-27 "Numbers 14:27 - God's Judgment on Murmuring Israel")). Their question, "What shall we drink?" was not just a desperate plea but an accusation that Moses (and therefore God) had led them into an impossible situation without adequate provision. This reveals a deeper spiritual issue of distrust in God's sovereign plan and His ability to care for His people, demonstrating that murmuring against God's servants is ultimately murmuring against God Himself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 15:24, with its depiction of a thirsty, murmuring people in the wilderness, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. The physical thirst of the Israelites foreshadows humanity's deeper spiritual thirst, a longing that only Christ can satisfy. Just as God provided water for Israel in the desert, Jesus declares Himself to be the [Living Water](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus, the Living Water"), promising that whoever drinks of Him will never thirst again ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Never Thirst Again")). He is the ultimate provision in our spiritual wilderness, the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") who came down from heaven to give life to the world, unlike the manna which sustained Israel but did not grant eternal life. Furthermore, the murmuring of Israel against Moses, God's mediator, finds its antithesis in Christ, the perfect and sinless Mediator who never murmured, even in the face of unimaginable suffering and temptation ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). He endured the ultimate wilderness experience—His forty days of temptation—without succumbing to doubt or complaint ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")). Through His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, Christ provides not just temporary physical relief but eternal spiritual satisfaction, quenching the deepest thirst of the soul and offering true rest to those who are weary and burdened ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). He is the ultimate answer to "What shall we drink?", offering Himself as the wellspring of eternal life and the source of all true spiritual sustenance.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 16:2

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

Exodus 14:11

And they said unto Moses, Because [there were] no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?

Numbers 20:2

And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.

Numbers 20:5

And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it [is] no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither [is] there any water to drink.

Numbers 14:1

¶ And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.

Numbers 14:4

And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

Psalms 78:19

Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?