Exodus 15 27

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.

Exodus 15:27 nkjv

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

Exodus 15:27 niv

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

Exodus 15:27 esv

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

Exodus 15:27 nlt

After leaving Marah, the Israelites traveled on to the oasis of Elim, where they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the water.

Exodus 15 verses

Exodus 15 27 Meaning

After the trial of the bitter waters at Marah, God graciously led the Israelites to Elim, a verdant oasis. This verse describes Elim as a place of abundant refreshing, marked by twelve springs of fresh water and seventy palm trees, where the weary nation could rest and be sustained. It symbolizes divine provision, a refreshing pause, and God's faithful care amidst the harsh wilderness journey.

Exodus 15 27 Context

Exodus chapter 15 records Israel's joyous song of deliverance after crossing the Red Sea and God's defeat of Pharaoh's army. Following this triumph, the narrative quickly shifts to the realities of the wilderness journey. After three days without water, the Israelites reached Marah, where the available water was bitter and undrinkable, leading them to complain against Moses (Exod 15:23-24). In response, God revealed Himself as "the LORD who heals" (Yahweh Rapha), instructing Moses to cast a tree into the water to make it sweet, providing a moment of teaching and testing. Immediately after this test and divine intervention at Marah, the verse in question, Exodus 15:27, describes their arrival at Elim. Elim thus serves as a timely and abundant oasis, signifying God's continued and merciful provision, contrasting sharply with the harshness of Marah. It highlights God's tender care, leading His people not only through difficulties but also into periods of refreshment and abundance on their journey to the Promised Land. This pattern of trial followed by divine relief sets a significant precedent for the rest of their wilderness travels.

Exodus 15 27 Word analysis

• Then (וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ - va-yavo’u): "And they came." Connects directly to the preceding events at Marah, indicating a progression in their journey immediately following God's miraculous intervention and teaching.
• they came (וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ - va-yavo’u): Third person plural, simple past tense. Emphasizes the entire Israelite community reaching this destination, signifying a collective experience of relief and provision after hardship.
• to Elim (אֵילְמָה - Elimah): The destination. "Elim" (אֵילִם) is derived from a root likely meaning "oaks" or "strong trees," suggestive of a place of verdure and shade. Its identity as an oasis signifies rest and sustenance in a barren wilderness.
• where (שָׁם - sham): "There." Locative adverb, indicating the specific characteristic features found at this precise location.
• there were (לֹהֶ֣ם - lo-hem): Implied, as the Hebrew simply states "for them" or "to them" after "Elim", followed directly by the noun "twelve springs," indicating existence or availability.
• twelve (שְׁתֵּ֣י עֶשְׂרֵה - shteih ‘esreh): The number "twelve" is highly symbolic in biblical literature, often representing completeness, governmental order, or God's people. It echoes the twelve tribes of Israel (Gen 49, Num 1, Exod 24:4). This number hints at God's tailored provision for His entire nation.
• springs of water (עֵינֹ֥ת מַ֖יִם - 'eynot mayim): "Fountains of water." "עֵינֹ֥ת" ('eynot) refers to natural springs, fresh and flowing water, in contrast to stagnant pools or bitter waters like at Marah. Represents abundant, life-giving refreshment.
• and seventy (וְשִׁבְעִ֣ים - v'-shiv‘im): "And seventy." This number also carries significant biblical weight, often related to nations (Gen 10), elders (Exod 24:1, 9; Num 11:16, 25), or disciples sent for mission (Luke 10:1). Its presence alongside "twelve" suggests God's comprehensive and extensive provision, potentially hinting at His plan for all peoples through Israel.
• palm trees (תְּמָרִֽים - temarim): "Palm trees." A symbol of fertility, shade, fruitfulness, and beauty in the ancient Near East, often found in oases. They provided both food (dates) and shelter from the harsh desert sun, further signifying comprehensive sustenance and rest.
• and they encamped (וַיַּֽחֲנ֥וּ - vayyahachu): "And they encamped/pitched camp." Indicates they settled down for a period, a pause in their strenuous journey. It signifies rest and stability, a place where they could replenish their strength.
• there (שָׁ֖ם - sham): Reinforces that the encampment was at this specific place of abundant resources.
• beside the waters (עַל־הַמָּֽיִם - ‘al-hamma-yim): "By the waters." Explicitly states their closeness to the water sources, emphasizing direct access to the vital provision and the practicality of God's guiding hand.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Then they came to Elim: Signifies progression and divine leading immediately after a difficult experience. It underscores God's active guidance to places of comfort.
• where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees: This numerical and descriptive precision emphasizes the deliberate and abundant nature of God's provision. It is not just some water and a few trees, but distinct numbers implying sufficiency for the whole nation and symbolic completeness. This is an oasis beyond mere survival, offering lavish refreshment.
• and they encamped there beside the waters: This phrase highlights the ability of the Israelites to rest and recuperate. The proximity to water reinforces the theme of God meeting their most fundamental needs, enabling a period of much-needed rest after the trials of Marah and the wilderness trek.

Exodus 15 27 Bonus section

• The journey from the Red Sea to Elim via Marah illustrates a foundational pattern of the wilderness experience for Israel: Divine deliverance -> Obstacle/Test -> Complaint -> Divine Provision -> Divine Instruction -> Further Provision/Rest. This pattern recurs throughout their wilderness narrative.
• Elim foreshadows the land of Canaan, often described as a land of springs, brooks, and productive trees, a place of ultimate rest and abundance promised to God's people.
• The contrast between Marah (bitterness, lack) and Elim (sweetness, abundance) serves as a reminder that God can turn our most bitter experiences into sweet and abundant blessings. It emphasizes His redemptive power even in challenging circumstances.
• From a practical Christian perspective, Elim represents those times in our lives where, after a period of spiritual struggle or demanding service, God provides a refreshing spiritual retreat or season of ease to renew our strength and faith. It underscores the importance of seeking rest in Him.
• The name "Elim" itself, suggesting "oaks" or "strong trees," aligns with the picture of stability and long-lasting refreshment provided by established trees and steady springs.

Exodus 15 27 Commentary

Exodus 15:27 paints a vivid picture of divine grace following a period of intense testing. After the bitterness of Marah, where Israel's faith was tested and God revealed Himself as Healer and Provider, Elim stands as a beacon of lavish supply and refreshment. The precise enumeration of "twelve springs" and "seventy palm trees" is deeply significant. "Twelve" likely resonates with the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing God's full and complete provision for His entire chosen nation. "Seventy" has wider implications, possibly hinting at the seventy elders of Israel who later shared in Moses' spirit, or even the seventy nations of the world listed in Genesis 10, signifying a provision that is abundant and comprehensive.

Elim is not just a geographical location but a theological statement: God does not merely provide the bare minimum for survival; He gives abundantly and gracefully, providing not just water but also shade and potentially food from the palm trees, fostering an environment of rest and rejuvenation. This moment serves as a prophetic picture for the life of faith: trials are inevitably followed by seasons of divine solace and refreshing, confirming God's faithfulness and ability to sustain His people through every wilderness experience, always leading them towards rest and flourishing. It reassures believers that after spiritual or physical dryness, God leads them to sources of renewal.