Exodus17

The Israelites, journeying to Rephidim, lacked water and chided Moses, testing the LORD. Moses, by divine command, struck a rock at Horeb, causing water to flow for the people. Subsequently, Amalek attacked Israel, leading to a battle where Israel prevailed as Moses held up his hands, supported by Aaron and Hur, and Joshua led the fight, resulting in Amalek's defeat and the LORD's vow of perpetual war against them.
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Israel Tests the Lord at Rephidim

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.
2
Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? ​
3
And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
4
And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
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.
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. ​
7
And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not? ​

War Against Amalek

8
Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. ​
9
And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. ​
10
So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11
And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. ​
12
But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. ​
13
And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14
And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. ​
15
And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: ​
16
For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

Study Notes for Exodus 17

Verse 2

The people’s complaint quickly escalated from a demand for water to testing God’s faithfulness. To 'tempt the LORD' implies challenging God's power or questioning His presence among them despite recent miraculous deliverance.

Verse 6

God instructed Moses to strike the rock at Horeb (Sinai). This miraculous provision of water is often interpreted typologically, with the rock later identified by Paul as a symbol of Christ (1 Cor. 10:4).

Verse 7

The names Massah ('Testing') and Meribah ('Quarreling' or 'Strife') permanently memorialize Israel’s failure of faith and their central doubt: 'Is the LORD among us, or not?'

Verse 8

The Amalekites were a nomadic group descended from Esau (Gen. 36:12). Their unprovoked attack on the weary Israelites marks the beginning of a perpetual spiritual and political enmity with Israel.

Verse 9

This is the first mention of Joshua, who is immediately established as Moses’ military deputy. His selection highlights his competence and begins his preparation for future leadership.

Verse 11

Moses’ raised hands functioned as a sign of intercession and reliance on God’s power. The physical act demonstrated that Israel’s victory was secured not by military might, but by divine intervention.

Verse 12

The support provided by Aaron and Hur underscores the necessity of communal support in spiritual battles. They ensured that Moses could maintain the posture necessary to channel God’s power into the conflict.

Verse 14

The command to record this event emphasizes its profound theological significance: God declares perpetual war against Amalek for their wickedness and lack of reverence (cf. Deut. 25:17-19).

Verse 15

Moses named the altar *Jehovah-nissi*, meaning 'The LORD is my Banner.' This title celebrates God as the standard or rallying point, confirming that He alone grants victory.

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