Exodus 17:1 - All the congregation of the children of Israel traveled from the wilderness of Sin, by their journeys, according to Yahweh’s commandment, and encamped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink.
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What does "Exodus 17:1" mean?
This verse is a simple statement of fact, but it sets the stage for a key event in the Exodus story. Here's a breakdown:
"All the congregation of the children of Israel": This refers to the entire group of Israelites who were being led out of slavery in Egypt by Moses.
"traveled from the wilderness of Sin": They had been in a wilderness area called Sin. (Sin should not be confused with the modern concept of sin or wrong-doing, this is simply the name of a desert area.)
"by their journeys, according to Yahweh’s commandment": This emphasizes that their movements were not random. They were following God's instructions. The phrase "by their journeys" suggests they moved in stages, not one continuous march.
"and encamped in Rephidim": They set up camp in a place called Rephidim. This was their next stop.
"but there was no water for the people to drink": This is the key problem. They arrived at Rephidim and found no source of water, a crucial need for a large group of people and their livestock in the desert.
In essence, the verse says: The Israelites, following God's command, moved from the Wilderness of Sin to Rephidim, where they faced a serious crisis: a lack of water.
Significance:
This lack of water creates a moment of testing and potential crisis for the Israelites. It will lead to:
Complaining and questioning God's provision: The people will complain to Moses and question whether God is truly with them.
A demonstration of God's power: God will provide water miraculously, reaffirming his commitment to his people.
Strengthening or weakening of faith: This event will test the Israelites' faith in God's ability to provide for them.
The verse serves as a transition, setting up the narrative for the subsequent events where God provides water from a rock, an important demonstration of His power and care for His people.
Exodus 17:1 - All the congregation of the children of Israel traveled from the wilderness of Sin, by their journeys, according to Yahweh’s commandment, and encamped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink.
What does "Exodus 17:1" mean?
This verse is a simple statement of fact, but it sets the stage for a key event in the Exodus story. Here's a breakdown:
"All the congregation of the children of Israel": This refers to the entire group of Israelites who were being led out of slavery in Egypt by Moses.
"traveled from the wilderness of Sin": They had been in a wilderness area called Sin. (Sin should not be confused with the modern concept of sin or wrong-doing, this is simply the name of a desert area.)
"by their journeys, according to Yahweh’s commandment": This emphasizes that their movements were not random. They were following God's instructions. The phrase "by their journeys" suggests they moved in stages, not one continuous march.
"and encamped in Rephidim": They set up camp in a place called Rephidim. This was their next stop.
"but there was no water for the people to drink": This is the key problem. They arrived at Rephidim and found no source of water, a crucial need for a large group of people and their livestock in the desert.
In essence, the verse says: The Israelites, following God's command, moved from the Wilderness of Sin to Rephidim, where they faced a serious crisis: a lack of water.
Significance:
This lack of water creates a moment of testing and potential crisis for the Israelites. It will lead to:
Complaining and questioning God's provision: The people will complain to Moses and question whether God is truly with them.
A demonstration of God's power: God will provide water miraculously, reaffirming his commitment to his people.
Strengthening or weakening of faith: This event will test the Israelites' faith in God's ability to provide for them.
The verse serves as a transition, setting up the narrative for the subsequent events where God provides water from a rock, an important demonstration of His power and care for His people.