Numbers 20:10

KJV

And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} and Aaron {H175} gathered {H6950} the congregation {H6951} together before {H6440} the rock {H5553}, and he said {H559} unto them, Hear {H8085} now, ye rebels {H4784}; must we fetch {H3318} you water {H4325} out of this rock {H5553}?

Complete Jewish Bible

But after Moshe and Aharon had assembled the community in front of the rock, he said to them, "Listen here, you rebels! Are we supposed to bring you water from this rock?"

Berean Standard Bible

Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen now, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?”

American Standard Version

And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; shall we bring you forth water out of this rock?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 20:10 encapsulates a critical turning point in the wilderness narrative, capturing Moses' exasperated outburst and a pivotal act of disobedience at Meribah. Confronted by the Israelites' persistent grumbling over a lack of water, Moses, instead of sanctifying God by speaking to the rock as commanded, addressed the people with frustration and struck the rock, implying he and Aaron were the source of the miraculous provision. This moment of human failing by a revered leader carried profound consequences, barring him from entering the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This incident occurs near the end of the Israelites' forty-year wilderness sojourn, immediately following the death of Miriam in [Numbers 20:1](/numbers/20-1 "Numbers 20:1 - Death of Miriam"). The narrative quickly shifts from mourning to renewed complaint, as the congregation, facing a severe water shortage at Kadesh, once again confronts Moses and Aaron with bitter accusations, echoing their previous grumbling at [Rephidim in Exodus 17](/exodus/17 "Exodus 17 - Water from the Rock at Rephidim"). God had explicitly instructed Moses to "speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water" ([Numbers 20:8](/numbers/20-8 "Numbers 20:8 - God's Command to Moses")). Moses' actions in verse 10, particularly his harsh words and striking of the rock (detailed in [Numbers 20:11](/numbers/20-11 "Numbers 20:11 - Moses Strikes the Rock")), represent a direct deviation from this divine command, setting the stage for God's immediate judgment in [Numbers 20:12](/numbers/20-12 "Numbers 20:12 - God's Judgment on Moses and Aaron").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The wilderness setting was a harsh, arid environment where water was a constant necessity for survival, making its absence a life-threatening crisis for a large multitude. The Israelites, recently freed from Egyptian slavery, were a "stiff-necked people" ([Exodus 32:9](/exodus/32-9 "Exodus 32:9 - Israel's Idolatry and Stubbornness")) prone to murmuring and rebellion against God and His appointed leaders, a pattern evident throughout the book of [Numbers](/numbers "The Book of Numbers - Wilderness Wanderings"). Moses, as God's chosen mediator and leader, bore immense responsibility for the spiritual and physical well-being of the nation. The cultural expectation was that leaders would act as God's representatives, faithfully executing His commands. Moses' public act of striking the rock, rather than speaking to it, was not merely a procedural error but a public affront to God's holiness and a misrepresentation of His power before the entire congregation, undermining the very nature of God's miraculous provision.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 20:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Disobedience in Leadership**, demonstrating that even the most faithful and revered leaders are held to a high standard of obedience, and their failures carry significant consequences. Moses, despite his unparalleled intimacy with God, acted out of human frustration rather than divine instruction. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Sanctifying God's Name**. By saying "must *we* fetch you water," Moses appeared to take credit for the miracle or, at minimum, failed to fully attribute the power and glory to God alone, thus failing to "sanctify" God in the eyes of the people ([Numbers 20:12](/numbers/20-12 "Numbers 20:12 - God's Judgment on Moses and Aaron")). This diminishes God's sovereignty and holiness. Finally, the incident vividly illustrates the theme of **Consequences of Sin**, even for seemingly minor deviations from God's explicit commands. Moses' actions at Meribah ultimately led to his exclusion from entering the Promised Land, a severe judgment reiterated in [Deuteronomy 32:51](/deuteronomy/32-51 "Deuteronomy 32:51 - Moses' Sin at Meribah and its Consequence"), emphasizing God's unwavering holiness and justice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rebels (Hebrew, _môrîm_):** This term (מֹרִים) is derived from the root מָרָה (_marah_), meaning "to be rebellious," "to be contentious," or "to defy." Moses' use of this word reflects his profound exasperation with the Israelites' persistent grumbling and lack of faith. While the people were indeed rebellious, Moses' choice of this harsh, accusatory term, delivered with evident anger, reveals his personal frustration overriding his role as a calm and faithful mediator. It underscores the emotional strain he was under, but also his failure to maintain the composure and trust in God's provision that his leadership role demanded.
* **Fetch (Hebrew, _hôṣî’_):** The verb "fetch" (הוֹצִיא), meaning "to bring forth" or "to cause to come out," is used in Moses' rhetorical question, "must *we* fetch you water out of this rock?" This phrasing is crucial because it subtly, yet significantly, shifts the agency from God to Moses and Aaron. Instead of declaring God's intention to provide, Moses implies that he and Aaron are the ones burdened with the task, or even possess the power, to produce water. This self-referential language, whether intentional or born of frustration, obscured God's glory and failed to properly sanctify Him as the sole source of the miracle, which was the core of God's later judgment in [Numbers 20:12](/numbers/20-12 "Numbers 20:12 - God's Judgment on Moses and Aaron").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock,"**: This clause sets the scene, emphasizing the public nature of the impending event. The gathering of the entire congregation underscores the significance of the moment and the need for a public demonstration of God's power. It also highlights Moses' and Aaron's leadership role in assembling the people, even in their state of complaint.
* **"and he said unto them,"**: This simple phrase introduces Moses' direct address to the people. While Aaron is present, the singular "he said" points to Moses as the primary speaker and the one who will ultimately bear the brunt of the divine judgment for his words and subsequent actions.
* **"Hear now, ye rebels;"**: This is the core of Moses' frustrated outburst. The command "Hear now" demands attention, but it is immediately followed by the stinging accusation "ye rebels." This direct, angry confrontation, while perhaps understandable given the people's history of murmuring, deviates from the patient, intercessory tone Moses typically adopted when addressing God's people on God's behalf. It marks a moment where Moses' personal exasperation overshadowed his role as God's instrument.
* **"must we fetch you water out of this rock?"**: This rhetorical question is laden with Moses' frustration and, critically, implies that the power to provide water resides with him and Aaron, or at least that they are the ones burdened with this impossible task. It subtly diminishes God's omnipotence and willingness to provide, failing to give Him the glory due for the miracle He was about to perform. This question, combined with striking the rock rather than speaking to it, constituted the "unbelief" and failure to "sanctify" God for which Moses and Aaron were judged ([Numbers 20:12](/numbers/20-12 "Numbers 20:12 - God's Judgment on Moses and Aaron")).

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 20:10 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("must we fetch you water out of this rock?"), which, while expressing Moses' frustration, also subtly shifts the focus from God's power to human agency, undermining the divine nature of the miracle. This creates **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience knows God's explicit command to *speak* to the rock ([Numbers 20:8](/numbers/20-8 "Numbers 20:8 - God's Command to Moses")), making Moses' deviation and his subsequent striking of the rock ([Numbers 20:11](/numbers/20-11 "Numbers 20:11 - Moses Strikes the Rock")) a moment of profound tension and tragic irony. The "rock" itself functions as **Symbolism**, not merely as a source of water but as a representation of God's steadfast provision and, prophetically, of Christ as the spiritual rock from whom living water flows ([1 Corinthians 10:4](/1_corinthians/10-4 "1 Corinthians 10:4 - The Spiritual Rock is Christ")). Moses' outburst also demonstrates **Pathos**, evoking sympathy for the immense pressure he was under, yet simultaneously highlighting the gravity of his failure to maintain faith and obedience in the face of provocation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 20:10 serves as a stark reminder of God's absolute holiness and the high standard of obedience He requires, especially from those who represent Him. Moses' sin was not merely a momentary lapse of temper, but a failure to believe God's word fully and to sanctify Him publicly before the congregation. By striking the rock twice instead of speaking to it, and by exclaiming "must *we* fetch you water," Moses blurred the lines between divine power and human effort, effectively taking credit for God's miraculous provision. This diminished God's glory and misrepresented His character to the very people He was seeking to teach about His faithfulness. The incident underscores that God's glory is non-transferable and that His commands, however seemingly small in deviation, are to be followed precisely.

* [Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - God's Command to Strike the Rock at Rephidim")
* [Numbers 20:12](/numbers/20-12 "Numbers 20:12 - God's Judgment on Moses and Aaron")
* [Deuteronomy 32:51](/deuteronomy/32-51 "Deuteronomy 32:51 - Moses' Sin at Meribah and its Consequence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 20:10 offers profound lessons for every believer, particularly those in positions of leadership. It challenges us to examine our own hearts when faced with frustration, opposition, or the persistent failures of others. Moses, the most humble man on earth ([Numbers 12:3](/numbers/12-3 "Numbers 12:3 - Moses' Humility")), succumbed to anger and unbelief, demonstrating that even the most devout among us are susceptible to human frailty. Our obedience to God's specific instructions is paramount, not just in grand gestures but in every detail, for it is in our faithful adherence that God's character is most clearly revealed. Furthermore, this passage calls us to always give God the glory for His provision and power, ensuring that our words and actions point to Him as the ultimate source of all blessings, rather than drawing attention to ourselves. When we fail to sanctify God in the eyes of others, we misrepresent His holiness and diminish His sovereignty. May we learn from Moses' error to respond to life's pressures with faith, patience, and a unwavering commitment to magnifying God's name above our own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you find yourself most prone to frustration or impatience, and how might these emotions lead to disobedience or a misrepresentation of God's character?**
* **How do you ensure that your words and actions consistently give God the glory, especially when you are instrumental in His work?**
* **What specific "rocks" (challenges or difficult people) are you facing, and how can you respond with faith and obedience, rather than human impulse or anger?**
* **Considering the severe consequences for Moses, what does this passage teach you about the importance of precise obedience to God's commands, even in seemingly minor details?**

### FAQ

**Why was Moses' sin at Meribah considered so severe by God?**

Answer: Moses' sin at Meribah was severe for several reasons, as indicated in [Numbers 20:12](/numbers/20-12 "Numbers 20:12 - God's Judgment on Moses and Aaron"). Firstly, he failed to believe God's explicit command to "speak" to the rock, instead striking it twice ([Numbers 20:11](/numbers/20-11 "Numbers 20:11 - Moses Strikes the Rock")). This was an act of disobedience. Secondly, and perhaps more critically, he failed to "sanctify" God in the eyes of the children of Israel. By saying, "must *we* fetch you water out of this rock?" ([Numbers 20:10](/numbers/20-10 "Numbers 20:10 - Moses' Outburst at Meribah")), Moses implied that he and Aaron were the source of the miracle, or at least that the power resided with them, rather than solely with God. This diminished God's glory and holiness before the entire congregation, misrepresenting His character and sovereignty. As God's chosen leader, Moses was meant to be a clear conduit of God's power and a faithful witness to His holiness. His public act of self-assertion and unbelief undermined this crucial role, setting a poor example for a people who desperately needed to learn to trust and revere God alone.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The incident at Meribah, particularly Moses' interaction with the rock, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The Apostle Paul explicitly identifies the rock that followed the Israelites in the wilderness as Christ ([1 Corinthians 10:4](/1_corinthians/10-4 "1 Corinthians 10:4 - The Spiritual Rock is Christ")). In the first instance at Rephidim ([Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - God's Command to Strike the Rock at Rephidim")), God commanded Moses to strike the rock, symbolizing Christ being "struck" once for our sins, His sacrifice on the cross providing the living water of salvation ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus Offers Living Water")). However, at Meribah, God commanded Moses to *speak* to the rock ([Numbers 20:8](/numbers/20-8 "Numbers 20:8 - God's Command to Moses")), indicating that after Christ's initial, singular sacrifice, we no longer need to "strike" Him again. Instead, we are to "speak" to Him in prayer and faith to receive spiritual nourishment and living water ([John 7:37-39](/john/7-37 "John 7:37-39 - Rivers of Living Water")). Moses' disobedience in striking the rock a second time, therefore, not only failed to sanctify God but also prophetically marred this beautiful picture of Christ's finished work. Unlike Moses, who failed to perfectly represent God and was barred from the Promised Land due to his sin, Jesus Christ perfectly obeyed the Father, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). He is the true source of living water, and through His perfect obedience and singular sacrifice, we, unlike Moses, are granted access to the ultimate "Promised Land" – eternal life in God's presence ([Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-11 - The Rest of God")).

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

Psalms 106:32

They angered [him] also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:

Psalms 106:33

Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.

Deuteronomy 9:24

Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you.

Luke 9:54

And when his disciples James and John saw [this], they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

Luke 9:55

But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

Matthew 5:22

But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Acts 3:12

¶ And when Peter saw [it], he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?