Exodus 15:27

KJV

And they came to Elim, where [were] twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they came {H935} to Elim {H362}, where were twelve {H8147}{H6240} wells {H5869} of water {H4325}, and threescore and ten {H7657} palm trees {H8558}: and they encamped {H2583} there by the waters {H4325}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They came to Eilim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and camped there by the water.

Berean Standard Bible

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there by the waters.

American Standard Version

And they came to Elim, where were twelve springs of water, and threescore and ten palm-trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 15:27 describes the Israelites' arrival at Elim, a verdant oasis offering abundant water and shade, following their arduous journey through the Wilderness of Shur and the bitter waters of Marah. This pivotal moment serves as a profound testament to God's unfailing provision and compassionate care for His people, demonstrating His faithfulness to sustain them even amidst the harsh realities of their wilderness pilgrimage. It marks a period of much-needed rest and refreshment, symbolizing divine grace after a season of trial.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic account of the Israelites' miraculous deliverance through the Red Sea (Exodus 14), their subsequent "Song of the Sea" (Exodus 15:1-21), and their initial struggles in the Wilderness of Shur. After three days without finding potable water, they arrived at Marah, where the water was undrinkable, prompting their grumbling against Moses. There, God miraculously made the bitter waters sweet (Exodus 15:23-25), demonstrating His power and establishing a covenant of healing and obedience. The arrival at Elim directly after Marah provides a stark and welcome contrast, illustrating God's pattern of providing abundant relief and refreshment immediately following a period of testing and hardship. This sequence emphasizes God's immediate response to His people's needs and His commitment to sustaining them on their journey.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites, recently liberated from centuries of slavery in Egypt, were embarking on a transformative journey through a desolate wilderness. This environment was inherently hostile, characterized by extreme temperatures, scarcity of water, and lack of sustenance, making survival entirely dependent on divine intervention. Oases like Elim were vital waypoints, serving as critical sources of life-sustaining water and shade, allowing travelers and their livestock to recover and replenish. The specific numbers "twelve wells of water" and "threescore and ten palm trees" (seventy) were not arbitrary; they held significant symbolic weight in ancient Israelite culture. "Twelve" often represented the [twelve tribes of Israel](/genesis/49-28 "Genesis 49:28 - The twelve tribes of Israel"), signifying God's comprehensive provision for all His people. "Seventy" was a number of completeness or universality, seen in the [seventy nations listed in Genesis 10](/genesis/10-32 "Genesis 10:32 - The seventy nations of the world") or the [seventy elders appointed to assist Moses](/numbers/11-16 "Numbers 11:16 - Seventy elders appointed"). These numbers underscore the abundant and holistic nature of God's provision at Elim.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Elim (Hebrew, _ʼÊlîm'_):** The name of this location likely derives from a root meaning "strong trees" or "oaks," which aptly describes an oasis abundant with vegetation. The presence of numerous palm trees aligns with this etymology, suggesting a place of established growth and natural strength, offering substantial shade and resources.
* **Twelve (Hebrew, _shenêm 'asâr'_):** This cardinal number, applied to the wells of water, carries profound symbolic significance in the biblical narrative. It consistently represents the completeness and totality of God's chosen people, most notably the twelve tribes of Israel descended from Jacob's sons. Its mention here signifies that God's provision at Elim was sufficient and specifically tailored for the entire nation.
* **Threescore and ten (Hebrew, _shiv'îm'_):** This archaic KJV rendering for "seventy" is also a number rich in biblical symbolism. Seventy often denotes completeness, universality, or a significant assembly. Its application to the palm trees suggests an overwhelming abundance of shade and sustenance, reinforcing the idea of generous and comprehensive divine provision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they came to Elim":** This clause signifies a divinely guided arrival at a specific, designated location. It implies not a random discovery, but a purposeful leading by God to a place of relief and restoration after their recent trials.
* **"where [were] twelve wells of water":** This detail highlights the primary and most vital provision in the desert: water. The number twelve emphasizes that this provision was not merely adequate but perfectly suited and abundant for the entire nation of Israel, symbolizing God's care for each tribe.
* **"and threescore and ten palm trees":** This specifies the presence of numerous palm trees, which would have provided essential shade from the scorching desert sun, as well as potential dates for food. The number seventy underscores the extraordinary abundance of this resource, further emphasizing the lavishness of God's provision.
* **"and they encamped there by the waters":** This final clause indicates the act of settling down, finding rest, and establishing a temporary home in this oasis. It signifies a period of respite and recovery, allowing the people to be refreshed before continuing their arduous journey.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 15:27 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Contrast**, as Elim stands in stark opposition to the preceding bitter waters of Marah (Exodus 15:23). This juxtaposition highlights God's ability to provide sweetness after bitterness and abundance after scarcity, reinforcing His sovereignty and faithfulness. **Symbolism** is also heavily at play, with water representing life, sustenance, and divine provision, and palm trees symbolizing prosperity, shade, and refreshment in a desolate land. The specific numbers, **Numerology**, "twelve" and "seventy," are not merely descriptive but carry deep symbolic weight, signifying comprehensive provision for the entire nation of Israel and emphasizing the completeness and abundance of God's grace. The narrative also exhibits **Narrative Progression**, moving from the trial and complaint at Marah to the immediate and generous provision at Elim, illustrating a divine pattern of testing followed by profound demonstrations of care.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 15:27 profoundly illustrates the theological theme of God's unfailing provision and His compassionate response to the needs of His people. After the test at Marah, Elim serves as a powerful demonstration of God's faithfulness to sustain and refresh those who depend on Him, even in the most desolate circumstances. It underscores the wilderness as a crucible for faith, where human weakness and dependence on God are brought into sharp relief, and where divine power and care are most clearly revealed. The abundance at Elim signifies that God's provision is not merely sufficient but generous, meeting not only their immediate physical needs but also offering spiritual and emotional restoration.

* [Psalm 23:2](/psalms/23-2 "Psalm 23:2 - He leads me beside still waters")
* [Isaiah 41:18](/isaiah/41-18 "Isaiah 41:18 - I will make rivers in the desert")
* [Revelation 7:17](/revelation/7-17 "Revelation 7:17 - The Lamb will lead them to springs of living water")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The journey to Elim offers a timeless message for believers navigating the "wilderness" seasons of their own lives. Just as the Israelites faced periods of intense hardship and scarcity, we too encounter moments of exhaustion, bitterness, or spiritual dryness. Elim reminds us that God is intimately aware of our struggles and faithfully provides "oases" of refreshment and renewed strength precisely when we need them most. These oases may manifest as unexpected breakthroughs, supportive communities, moments of profound spiritual peace, or simply the quiet grace to persevere. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of trust, knowing that even after our "Marah" experiences, God is preparing a place of rest and abundance. It calls us to recognize and receive His provision, allowing ourselves to be refreshed and restored before continuing our faith journey, always remembering that His timing is perfect and His care is unfailing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Marah" experiences have you faced recently, and how did God demonstrate His provision and faithfulness in those moments?**
* **How does the abundance at Elim (twelve wells, seventy palm trees) encourage you to trust God for comprehensive and generous provision in your current circumstances?**
* **In what ways can you actively seek or create "Elim" moments of spiritual and physical rest and refreshment in the midst of your daily life's demands?**

### FAQ
**Why are the numbers "twelve" and "seventy" specifically mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The numbers "twelve" and "seventy" are highly significant and not arbitrary. "Twelve" consistently symbolizes the completeness and totality of God's people, representing the [twelve tribes of Israel](/genesis/49-28 "Genesis 49:28 - The twelve tribes of Israel") descended from Jacob's sons. Its presence here signifies that God's provision was sufficient and perfectly tailored for the entire nation. "Seventy" (threescore and ten) often denotes completeness or universality in biblical contexts, such as the [seventy nations of the world listed in Genesis 10](/genesis/10-32 "Genesis 10:32 - The seventy nations of the world") or the [seventy elders appointed to assist Moses](/numbers/11-16 "Numbers 11:16 - Seventy elders appointed"). Together, these numbers emphasize the abundant, comprehensive, and perfectly adequate nature of God's provision for all His people, underscoring His lavish care.

**What is the spiritual significance of Elim following Marah in the Israelites' journey?**

Answer: The sequence of Marah (bitterness and testing) followed by Elim (abundance and rest) is a profound spiritual pattern. It illustrates God's pedagogical method: trials and periods of testing often precede and highlight profound demonstrations of His grace and provision. At Marah, the Israelites' faith was tested, and they learned to depend on God for healing and sustenance. Immediately afterward, Elim provided a lavish oasis, teaching them that God is faithful to provide refreshment and abundance after hardship. This pattern reinforces the lesson that [God is faithful](/1_corinthians/1-9 "1 Corinthians 1:9 - God is faithful") to sustain His people through every stage of their journey, transforming moments of bitterness into seasons of blessing and rest.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The oasis of Elim, with its abundant water and shade, serves as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the ultimate source of spiritual refreshment and rest. Just as Elim provided vital sustenance in the physical wilderness, Christ offers [living water that quenches all spiritual thirst](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Living water that springs up to eternal life") and provides profound rest for weary souls. The Israelites' journey through the wilderness, marked by trials and divine provision, mirrors the Christian's pilgrimage through a fallen world, where true sustenance is found not in earthly resources but in Christ. He is the [bread of life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - I am the bread of life") and the [true vine](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - I am the vine; you are the branches"), offering spiritual nourishment that surpasses any physical oasis. The comprehensive provision at Elim, sufficient for all twelve tribes, points to the [superabundant grace found in Christ](/romans/5-17 "Romans 5:17 - Abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness"), who freely offers salvation and eternal life to all who believe. He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to provide an oasis in the desert of humanity's sin and brokenness, leading His people to [springs of living water in the new creation](/revelation/7-17 "Revelation 7:17 - The Lamb will lead them to springs of living water").

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.