Exodus 17:7 kjv

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?

Exodus 17:7 nkjv

So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"

Exodus 17:7 niv

And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"

Exodus 17:7 esv

And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"

Exodus 17:7 nlt

Moses named the place Massah (which means "test") and Meribah (which means "arguing") because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the LORD by saying, "Is the LORD here with us or not?"

Exodus 17 verses

Exodus 17 7 Meaning

Exodus 17:7 names the location of Rephidim as Massah and Meribah, two terms that summarize the Israelite people's conduct. "Massah" (meaning "testing") denotes their challenge to God's faithfulness and presence, while "Meribah" (meaning "quarrelling" or "contention") describes their dispute with Moses and, by extension, with the Lord. The verse succinctly captures the Israelites' profound unbelief and a direct challenge to God's divine presence and care, despite His continuous provision for them since their departure from Egypt. This event serves as a foundational memory warning future generations about the perils of distrusting the Lord.

Exodus 17 7 Context

Exodus 17:7 occurs immediately after the account of God providing water from the rock at Horeb in Rephidim (Exo 17:1-6). The Israelites had journeyed from the Wilderness of Sin and found no water, prompting severe complaining against Moses. They accused him of leading them out of Egypt to die of thirst, directly challenging the Lord's providence and Moses' leadership. This grumbling, while rooted in legitimate physical need, quickly escalated to questioning God's very presence among them, leading to the divine command for Moses to strike the rock. This episode of rebellion is a recurring theme following their initial deliverance from Egypt (e.g., Marah, Sin). Historically, it reflects the early and persistent challenges to the nascent Israelite nation's trust in Yahweh during their vulnerable desert sojourn.

Exodus 17 7 Word analysis

• So he called (וַיִּקְרָא֙): This phrase signifies the naming of the place by Moses, making it a lasting memorial. Moses, as God's chosen leader and chronicler, formally designated the site. The act of naming reflects its theological significance as a point of divine judgment and human failure.
• the name (שֵׁ֣ם): A significant act in ancient Near Eastern culture, establishing identity and purpose, often linked to historical events or a characteristic trait. Here, it records a negative association.
• of the place (הַמָּק֗וֹם): Refers to the specific geographical location, embedding the lesson directly into the land's identity. This serves as a perpetual reminder of Israel's lack of faith.
• Massah (מַסָּה֙, Massah): This name means "testing" or "proving." It is derived from the Hebrew root נָסָה (nasah), which means "to test," "try," or "put to the proof." In this context, it signifies that the Israelites "tested" God by questioning His ability and willingness to provide, rather than testing their own faith in Him. This challenges God's integrity and omnipotence.
• and Meribah (וּמְרִיבָ֔ה, uMeribah): This name means "quarreling," "contention," or "strife." It comes from the Hebrew root רִיב (riv), meaning "to contend," "dispute," or "strive." It encapsulates the Israelites' heated dispute with Moses and their contention against the Lord regarding their circumstances.
• because of the quarreling (עַל־רִ֣יב): This directly connects the naming to the Israelites' contentious behavior. Their dispute was not just an emotional outburst but a collective act of distrust that sought to blame God's representative.
• of the people of Israel (בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל): Highlights that this was a collective action by the entire community, bearing corporate responsibility for their unbelief and grumbling. It shows the widespread nature of their faithlessness.
• and because they tested (וְעַל֙ נַסֹּתָ֣ם): This repeats the core reason, emphasizing the grave nature of their sin. It specifies the specific object of their testing.
• the LORD (יְהוָ֔ה, YHWH): This is the personal, covenant name of God. Their act of testing was not against some generic deity, but against their covenant partner who had explicitly redeemed them and promised to care for them. To test YHWH was a direct affront to His character and faithfulness.
• saying (לֵאמֹ֑ר): Introduces their specific challenge.
• 'Is the LORD among us or not?' (הֲיֵ֧שׁ יְהוָ֛ה בְּקִרְבֵּ֖נוּ אִם־אַ֣יִן): This is the critical, climactic question, revealing the depth of their doubt. It is not an innocent inquiry but a challenge borne of skepticism. It directly questions God's immanent presence and active care, essentially daring Him to prove Himself, despite His many demonstrated miracles. This also implies a polemic against the idea that gods might be localized or absent, or that Yahweh had abandoned them for failing a covenant term, questioning the fundamental promise of His enduring presence (Immanuel).

Exodus 17 7 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on Massah and Meribah in later biblical texts, particularly in Deuteronomy and Psalms (e.g., Psa 95, Deu 6:16), underscores its profound theological significance for biblical theology. It became an archetypal warning, cited often to admonish subsequent generations against repeating the same errors of hardening their hearts, grumbling, and testing God. This narrative not only recounts an historical event but functions as a critical case study of corporate Israelite faithlessness and the consequences of their direct challenge to Yahweh. The "Rock" in this narrative is symbolically connected to Christ in the New Testament (1 Cor 10:4), emphasizing that even in Israel's unfaithfulness, God's provision was ultimately redemptive, foreshadowing the ultimate spiritual provision found in Jesus.

Exodus 17 7 Commentary

Exodus 17:7 crystallizes a pivotal moment in Israel's early desert wanderings, demonstrating the pervasive human tendency towards unbelief and contention despite clear evidence of God's miraculous provision. The names Massah and Meribah serve as enduring monuments to human rebellion against divine faithfulness. The Israelites, having witnessed God's power in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and with the manna and quail, quickly reverted to doubt when faced with the immediate crisis of thirst. Their questioning of "Is the LORD among us or not?" goes beyond simple complaining; it is a fundamental challenge to God's presence, character, and power, an act of "testing" (putting God to the proof) that dishonors Him. This act represents a core sin that provoked divine displeasure throughout their wilderness journey. The spiritual lesson resonates across all ages: true faith involves trusting God's unseen provision even amidst dire circumstances, rather than demanding visible proof or engaging in contentious murmuring. This episode highlights that a lack of trust is a form of spiritual rebellion, demonstrating how quick faith can turn to doubt without constant reliance on God. The ultimate spiritual water, the Living Water, Jesus Christ, is promised to quench the deeper spiritual thirst, contrasted with the fleeting satisfaction of physical water.