Bible Strands
Exodus 17:2
So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Israelites at Rephidim confront Moses after arriving in a location with no drinkable water. They demand immediate hydration while Moses questions their motive and spiritual posture.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיָּרֶב (va.ya.rev) denotes a quarrel or contention, describing the people's hostile exchange with Moses. The imperative תְּנוּ (tenu) commands the direct provision of water to satisfy their immediate physical need.
The thread — This confrontation echoes the pattern of testing God found in Deuteronomy 6:16 and the repeated provocations recorded in Psalms 78:18 and 78:41. The location and event correspond to the Massah incident where Israel's demand for provision becomes a spiritual trial.
Why it lands — The text records a direct confrontation over physical need that quickly escalates into a challenge against divine authority. It requires the reader to recognize how immediate discomfort can trigger accusations against leadership and doubt toward God's presence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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?
Cross-references
- Psalms 78:18 They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved.
- Deuteronomy 6:16 Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.
- Psalms 78:41 Again and again they tested God and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
- 1 Corinthians 10:9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.
- Isaiah 7:12 But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.”
- Hebrews 3:9 where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works.
- Numbers 20:2 Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron.
- Numbers 21:5 and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”
- Psalms 95:9 where your fathers tested and tried Me, though they had seen My work.
- Matthew 4:7 Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”