Exodus 17:1 kjv

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.

Exodus 17:1 nkjv

Then all the congregation of the children of Israel set out on their journey from the Wilderness of Sin, according to the commandment of the LORD, and camped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink.

Exodus 17:1 niv

The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.

Exodus 17:1 esv

All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.

Exodus 17:1 nlt

At the LORD's command, the whole community of Israel left the wilderness of Sin and moved from place to place. Eventually they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water there for the people to drink.

Exodus 17 verses

Exodus 17 1 Meaning

Exodus 17:1 describes the next stage of the Israelites' journey from the Wilderness of Sin to Rephidim, a direct consequence of the LORD's divine command. Despite being led by God, they arrive at a location completely devoid of water, setting the scene for their next severe test of faith and dependence on the LORD for basic sustenance. This verse highlights both God's consistent guidance and Israel's immediate return to a desperate, unprovisioned state, preceding one of the most significant miraculous provisions of water from a rock.

Exodus 17 1 Context

Exodus 17:1 follows a period of God's miraculous provision for Israel in the wilderness. After escaping Pharaoh, crossing the Red Sea (Ex 14), receiving bitter water made sweet at Marah (Ex 15:22-25), and being fed manna and quail in the Wilderness of Sin (Ex 16), the Israelites are again on the move. Each previous stop was characterized by a specific test and divine intervention, revealing God's power and provision despite Israel's grumbling. This verse initiates a new sequence of events that highlights God's ongoing guidance, the Israelites' continued lack of faith despite prior miracles, and the critical need for water, which directly leads to the striking of the rock at Horeb and the battle with Amalek. The narrative structure emphasizes the continuous nature of God's leadership "according to the commandment of the LORD," even when the path leads to challenging, seemingly impossible situations. Historically, the Israelites were journeying towards Mount Sinai (Horeb), where they would receive the Law, making these intermediate trials crucial in shaping their understanding of God's character and their own dependence on Him.

Exodus 17 1 Word analysis

• And all the congregation: Hebrew: וַיִּסְעוּ כָּל־עֲדַת (Vayyis‘ū khol-ʻădhat). 'כָּל־עֲדַת' (khol-'ădhat) refers to "the entire assembly" or "community" of Israel. It emphasizes the unified body, indicating that this journey and subsequent experience impacted every Israelite. The previous provisions like manna were for "all the congregation," and now the lack affects them collectively, highlighting the widespread nature of their impending thirst.
• of the children of Israel: יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisra’el). Refers to the descendants of Jacob, God's covenant people. Their identity as "Israel" constantly reinforces God's specific relationship with them, despite their failings.
• journeyed: וַיִּסְעוּ (Vayyis‘ū). From the verb נָסַע (nasa‘), meaning to journey, pull up stakes. It implies deliberate movement, specifically breaking camp to continue on a nomadic journey. It shows their ongoing progression guided by the LORD's pillar of cloud and fire (Ex 13:21-22).
• from the wilderness of Sin: מִמִּדְבַּר סִין (Mimmidbar Sîn). This location served as the previous encampment where manna and quail were first miraculously provided (Ex 16). Moving from a place of provision to a new, unprovisioned location intensifies the dependence on God's future guidance and supply.
• after their journeys: לְמַסְעֵיהֶם (lĕmas‘ēhem). The Hebrew 'מַסָּע' (massā') means "stages" or "departures." This phrase signifies that they were progressing through the prescribed stops and stages of their divinely ordered trek through the wilderness. It underlines the structured and purposed nature of their journey under God's sovereign plan.
• according to the commandment of the LORD: עַל־פִּי יְהוָה (ʻal-pî Yahweh). Literally, "by the mouth of the LORD." This is a crucial phrase. It means their movements were not arbitrary or decided by human choice, but were directly dictated and guided by God himself, often through the pillar of cloud (Num 9:17-23). This emphasizes God's sovereign control and highlights the irony that they were led by divine instruction into a place of dire need, revealing a divine test rather than an error in leadership.
• and pitched in Rephidim: וַיַּחֲנוּ בִּרְפִידִם (vayyaḥanū bhirəphidhim). 'וַיַּחֲנוּ' (vayyaḥanū) from חָנָה (ḥānâ), "to encamp," signifies they settled temporarily. Rephidim's exact location is debated, but it's famous as the site where Moses struck the rock for water and where Amalek attacked. The name Rephidim (possibly meaning "rests" or "support") is ironic given the intense events that unfold there.
• and there was no water: וְאֵין מַיִם (wə’ein mayim). The absence of 'מַיִם' (mayim - water) is the critical element of the verse. It immediately sets the scene for the conflict and miracle that follow. Water was absolutely essential for survival in the arid desert, making its absence a life-threatening crisis.
• for the people to drink: לִשְׁתֹּת (lišhtōth) 'לִשְׁתֹּת' (lish'toth) refers to the act of drinking. The simple clarity emphasizes the direct and desperate need of the people. It's not just a shortage, but a complete absence for basic hydration.

Words-group analysis:

• "And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys": This entire phrase depicts the Israelites as a unified, moving body, faithfully (from their perspective, but truly by divine leading) following their path, not as aimless wanderers but as those completing prescribed "stages" of their divine itinerary. It underscores continuity in God's leading.
• "according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim": This central part emphasizes the divine initiative and authority behind their seemingly problematic arrival. The LORD's guidance is absolute; He knows precisely where they are going and why. The arrival at Rephidim, a place lacking vital resources, is part of His purposeful design to test and demonstrate His power to His people.
• "and there was no water for the people to drink": This stark statement provides the immediate challenge and sets the conflict. Despite being led by God, the dire physical reality of no water creates an existential crisis for the vast multitude. This vulnerability compels them to either trust God implicitly or revert to their pattern of murmuring and testing Him, which they quickly do.

Exodus 17 1 Bonus section

The location of Rephidim is crucial as it becomes the backdrop for two significant events in the Israelite journey: the provision of water from the rock, and the battle against Amalek (Ex 17:8ff). That God led them directly to a waterless place underscores a recurring theme in the wilderness narrative: God orchestrates conditions of desperate need to teach Israel dependence on Him alone. This isn't just about survival but about theological formation, demonstrating that God is trustworthy even when circumstances suggest otherwise. This prepares Israel for the upcoming covenant at Sinai, showing them the God they are about to covenant with is supremely able to sustain them. The consistent leading by the cloud (signifying God's presence and direction) means Israel has no excuse for doubt; the path is literally illuminated by God. Their subsequent murmuring therefore, is an act of spiritual rebellion and not simply human frailty, setting a powerful lesson for future generations (Ps 95:8).

Exodus 17 1 Commentary

Exodus 17:1 succinctly establishes the immediate crisis point after the Israelites’ previous experiences of God’s miraculous provision. Despite having just been fed supernaturally with manna and quail and journeying under the direct command and guidance of God via the cloud, they arrive at Rephidim to find a complete absence of water. This is not an accidental misstep but a divinely ordained situation, intended by the LORD to further test the faith of His people (Deut 8:2) and demonstrate His sovereignty and capacity as their ultimate Provider in even the most barren and hopeless circumstances. The very specific instruction that their movements were "according to the commandment of the LORD" eliminates any human error and places the responsibility for the impending crisis squarely on God's design. This prefigures Christ as the ultimate 'spiritual Rock' (1 Cor 10:4), from whom flows living water (Jn 7:37-38), highlighting God’s consistent way of meeting profound human need through divine and often unexpected means.