Bible Strands
Numbers 20:2
Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator places the Israelite congregation at Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin during the first month, immediately following Miriam’s burial. The text states the people assembled against Moses and Aaron because no water was available for them.
The words — מַיִם (ma.yim) literally means water, while עֵדָה ('e.Dah) denotes the congregation or assembly. The verb יִקָּהֲלוּ (yi.Ka.ha.Lu) indicates they gathered or assembled specifically against Moses and Aaron.
The thread — The pattern of the congregation gathering against Moses and Aaron appears in Numbers 16:19 and Numbers 16:42. A prior water shortage is recorded in Exodus 15:23 at Marah.
Why it lands — The verse records a direct confrontation triggered by material lack, requiring the reader to note how communal desperation targets leadership. It asks the reader to observe the immediate cause of the conflict without adding theological commentary.
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 there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
Cross-references
- Numbers 16:19 When Korah had gathered his whole assembly against them at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the glory of the LORD appeared to the whole congregation.
- Numbers 16:42 But when the congregation gathered against them, Moses and Aaron turned toward the Tent of Meeting, and suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared.
- Exodus 15:23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. (That is why it was named Marah.)
- Exodus 16:2 And there in the desert the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
- Exodus 16:7 and in the morning you will see the LORD’s glory, because He has heard your grumbling against Him. For who are we, that you should grumble against us?”
- Exodus 16:12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’”
- Exodus 17:1 Then the whole congregation of Israel left the Desert of Sin, moving from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.
- Numbers 11:1 Soon the people began to complain about their hardship in the hearing of the LORD, and when He heard them, His anger was kindled, and fire from the LORD blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp.
- Numbers 16:3 They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have taken too much upon yourselves! For everyone in the entire congregation is holy, and the LORD is in their midst. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”
- 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!”