Bible Strands
Isaiah 48:21
They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He made water flow for them from the rock; He split the rock, and water gushed out.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet addresses exiled Israel immediately after commanding them to flee Babylon and proclaim Yahweh's redemption of Jacob. The declaration marks the transition from captivity to wilderness travel under divine guidance.
The words — צָמְא֗וּ (tza.me.'U) means "they were thirsty," and הִזִּ֣יל (hi.Zil) means "he caused to flow." These terms anchor the physical description of sustenance during the desert journey.
The thread — The motif of God providing water from a rock in the desert appears in Psalm 105:41 and echoes the promise of a way in the wilderness in Isaiah 43:19. It also directly addresses the desperate need described in Isaiah 41:17.
Why it lands — The text states that divine leadership removes the need for thirst during wilderness travel by actively splitting rock to release water. It requires the reader to acknowledge that the same God who redeemed Jacob from Babylon continues to supply necessity in desolate places.
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
And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.
Cross-references
- Psalms 105:41 He opened a rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert.
- Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
- Isaiah 41:17 The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
- Exodus 17:6 Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. And when you strike the rock, water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.
- Numbers 20:11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink.
- Psalms 78:20 When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?”
- Isaiah 35:6 Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
- Nehemiah 9:15 In their hunger You gave them bread from heaven; in their thirst You brought them water from the rock. You told them to go in and possess the land that You had sworn to give them.
- Isaiah 30:25 And from every high mountain and every raised hill, streams of water will flow in the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall.
- Psalms 78:15 He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as abundant as the seas.