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◄ Exodus 17:6►

New International Version
I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

New Living Translation
I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.” So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on.

English Standard Version
Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

New King James Version
Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

NASB 1995
“Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

NASB 1977
“Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Amplified Bible
Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; there you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may [have something to] drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
I am going to stand there in front of you on the rock at Horeb; when you hit the rock, water will come out of it and the people will drink.” Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I am going to stand there in front of you on the rock at Horeb; when you hit the rock, water will come out of it and the people will drink.” Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

American Standard Version
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
When you get to the rock at Mount Sinai, I will be there with you. Strike the rock with the stick, and water will pour out for the people to drink." Moses did this while the leaders watched.

English Revised Version
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I'll be standing in front of you there by a rock at Mount Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." Moses did this while the leaders of Israel watched him.

Good News Translation
I will stand before you on a rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." Moses did so in the presence of the leaders of Israel.

International Standard Version
I'll be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. You are to strike the rock and water will come out of it, so the people can drink." Moses did this in front of the elders of Israel.

NET Bible
I will be standing before you there on the rock in Horeb, and you will strike the rock, and water will come out of it so that the people may drink." And Moses did so in plain view of the elders of Israel.

New Heart English Bible
Look, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb. You shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
Behold, I will stand before thee there on the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and water shall come out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
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.

World English Bible
Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb. You shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Behold, I am standing before you there on the rock in Horeb, and you have struck on the rock, and waters have come out from it, and the people have drunk.” And Moses does so before the eyes of [the] elderly of Israel,

Young's Literal Translation
Lo, I am standing before thee there on the rock in Horeb, and thou hast smitten on the rock, and waters have come out from it, and the people have drunk.' And Moses doth so before the eyes of the elders of Israel,

Smith's Literal Translation
And behold, I stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and strike upon the rock, and waters shall come forth from it, and the people drank. And Moses will do so before the eyes of the old men of Israel.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Behold I will stand there before thee, upon the rock Horeb: and thou shalt strike the rock, and water shall come out of it that the people may drink. Moses did so before the ancients of Israel:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Lo, I will stand in that place before you, on the rock of Horeb. And you shall strike the rock, and water will go forth from it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

New American Bible
I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb. Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it for the people to drink. Moses did this, in the sight of the elders of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Behold, I will stand before you there on the flinty rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the flinty rock, and there shall gush water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And behold, I am standing there before you on the flint in Khoreeb, and strike the flint and water shall come out from it and the people will drink.” And Moshe did in this way before the eyes of the Elders of the children of Israel.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink.' And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Behold, I stand there before thoucome, on the rock in Choreb, and thou shalt smite the rock, and water shall come out from it, and the people shall drink. And Moses did so before the sons of Israel.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Water from the Rock
…5And the LORD said to Moses, “Walk on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you. Take along in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.6Behold,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.7He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Numbers 20:8-11
“Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.” / So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he had been commanded. / Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen now, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” ...

Psalm 78:15-16
He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as abundant as the seas. / He brought streams from the stone and made water flow down like rivers.

Psalm 105:41
He opened a rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert.

1 Corinthians 10:4
and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

Deuteronomy 8:15
He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint.

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.

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.

John 4:10-14
Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” / “Sir,” the woman replied, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where then will You get this living water? / Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock?” ...

John 7:37-38
On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

Psalm 114:8
who turned the rock into a pool, the flint into a fountain of water!

Isaiah 41:17-18
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. / I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs.

Deuteronomy 32:13
He made him ride on the heights of the land and fed him the produce of the field. He nourished him with honey from the rock and oil from the flinty crag,

Hebrews 3:8-9
do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works.

Revelation 22:1-2
Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb / down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Psalm 107:35
He turns a desert into pools of water and a dry land into flowing springs.

Treasury of Scripture

Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

I will

Exodus 16:10
And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.

the rock.

Exodus 17:10
So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Exodus 17:12
But Moses' handswere heavy; and they took a stone, and putit under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

in Horeb

Exodus 3:1-5
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God,even to Horeb…

and thou

Numbers 20:9-11
And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him…

Deuteronomy 8:15
Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness,wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, wherethere was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;

Nehemiah 9:15
And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.

that the people

Psalm 46:4
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holyplace of the tabernacles of the most High.

Isaiah 41:17,18
When the poor and needy seek water, andthere is none,and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them,I the God of Israel will not forsake them…

Isaiah 43:19,20
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness,and rivers in the desert…

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Exodus 17

1.The people murmur for water to Rephidim
6.God send them for water to the rock in Horeb
7.The place is called Massah and Meribah
8.Amalek is overcome by Joshua, while Moses holds up his hand
14.Amalek is doomed to destruction; and Moses builds the altar Jehovah-nissi

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb.
This phrase indicates God's direct involvement and presence in the miracle about to occur. Horeb is another name for Mount Sinai, a significant location in Israel's history where Moses would later receive the Ten Commandments. The rock at Horeb symbolizes a place of divine encounter and provision. God's promise to stand before Moses signifies His authority and assurance of His power to provide. This event foreshadows Christ, the Rock, who provides living water (1 Corinthians 10:4).

And when you strike the rock,
Striking the rock is an act of obedience and faith on Moses' part. It demonstrates the necessity of human action in response to divine instruction. The act of striking can be seen as a type of Christ's suffering, where He was "struck" for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:4-5). The rock, representing Christ, being struck to bring forth water, prefigures the crucifixion, where Christ's sacrifice brings forth spiritual life.

water will come out of it for the people to drink.”
Water symbolizes life and sustenance, essential for the survival of the Israelites in the desert. This miraculous provision highlights God's care and ability to meet the needs of His people. It also points to Jesus' offer of living water, which quenches spiritual thirst (John 4:10, 14). The provision of water from the rock is a testament to God's faithfulness and a reminder of His covenant with Israel.

So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Moses' obedience in the presence of the elders serves as a witness to God's power and faithfulness. The elders represent the leadership and authority within the community, and their presence validates the miracle. This public demonstration reinforces the trustworthiness of Moses as God's chosen leader and the reliability of God's promises. It also serves as a teaching moment for the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of faith and obedience.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In this passage, Moses is instructed by God to strike the rock to provide water for the Israelites.

2.The Israelites
The people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now journeying through the wilderness. They are in need of water, which leads to this miraculous event.

3.Horeb
Also known as Mount Sinai, this is a significant location where God reveals His power and provision. It is the place where Moses strikes the rock to bring forth water.

4.The Rock
Symbolic of God's provision and presence. In the New Testament, the rock is often seen as a type of Christ, who provides living water.

5.The Elders of Israel
Leaders among the Israelites who witness the miracle, serving as representatives of the people and validating the event.

Teaching Points

God's Provision
God provides for our needs, often in unexpected ways. Just as He provided water from a rock, He can meet our needs in miraculous ways.

Obedience to God's Instructions
Moses' obedience in striking the rock as God commanded is a reminder of the importance of following God's instructions precisely.

Christ as the Rock
The rock at Horeb is a foreshadowing of Christ, who provides spiritual sustenance and living water to all who believe.

Witnessing God's Miracles
The presence of the elders as witnesses underscores the importance of community in experiencing and affirming God's work.

Faith in Times of Need
The Israelites' need for water and God's provision is a lesson in trusting God during times of scarcity and need.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Exodus 17:6?

2.How does Exodus 17:6 demonstrate God's provision in times of need?

3.What does Moses striking the rock symbolize about obedience and faith?

4.How can Exodus 17:6 inspire trust in God's promises today?

5.Connect Exodus 17:6 with Jesus as the "living water" in John 4:14.

6.How can we apply God's provision in Exodus 17:6 to our daily lives?

7.How does Exodus 17:6 demonstrate God's provision in times of need?

8.What archaeological evidence supports the events described in Exodus 17:6?

9.Why did God choose a rock for water in Exodus 17:6?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 17?

11.How is it scientifically plausible that water could come from a mere strike of Moses’s staff on a rock (Exodus 17:6)?

12.What archaeological evidence, if any, supports the Israelites' presence at Rephidim (Exodus 17)?

13.What is Mount Horeb's significance in the Bible?

14.What is the significance of the Water of Life?

What Does Exodus 17:6 Mean

Behold

- This opening word calls for alert attention, signaling that God is about to act in an extraordinary way (cf.Exodus 3:14;Isaiah 43:19).

- It reminds Israel—and us—that divine intervention is never random but purposeful and worthy of focused faith.

I will stand there before you

- God Himself promises His manifest presence, emphasizing that He is not distant but involved (Exodus 13:21-22;Deuteronomy 31:8).

- His standing “before” Moses underscores authority and assurance, much like the Angel of the LORD who went before Israel (Exodus 14:19).

by the rock at Horeb

- Horeb is another name for Sinai, the mountain where God would later give the Law (Exodus 19:1-3).

- Positioning at the rock links this miracle to covenant revelation: the same God who provides water will give His Word (Nehemiah 9:13-15).

- Paul later identifies the rock typologically with Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4), showing God’s provision culminates in the Messiah.

And when you strike the rock

- God directs a specific, obedient action from Moses (Exodus 4:2-3;Numbers 20:8 contrasts a later command to “speak” to the rock).

- The striking hints at substitutionary suffering: the rock (representing Christ) is smitten once, resulting in life-giving refreshment (Isaiah 53:4-5).

water will come out of it

- Physical water meets an urgent need, confirming God’s care in the wilderness (Psalm 78:15-16).

- Spiritually, it foreshadows living water offered by Jesus (John 4:14; 7:37-38), linking Old Testament miracle to New Testament fulfillment.

for the people to drink

- The provision is communal, illustrating God’s grace to an often-complaining nation (Exodus 16:2-4).

- Divine supply is not merely sufficient; it is generous and accessible to all, mirroring Christ’s invitation, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me” (John 7:37).

So Moses did this

- Immediate obedience highlights Moses’ faith and models leadership that trusts God despite previous pressures from the people (Hebrews 11:24-29).

- Action rooted in God’s word brings tangible results; faith and works operate together (James 2:22).

in the sight of the elders of Israel

- The elders serve as witnesses, ensuring the miracle is publicly confirmed (Exodus 3:16-18).

- Public testimony strengthens communal faith and sets a foundation for future remembrance (Psalm 78:4-7).

summary

Exodus 17:6 reveals God’s personal, powerful presence, His covenant faithfulness, and His compassionate provision. By standing before Moses, directing the striking of the Horeb rock, and bringing forth water, the Lord supplies Israel’s physical need while foreshadowing Christ, the smitten Rock who gives living water. Moses’ obedient act, observed by the elders, turns divine promise into experienced reality, inviting every generation to trust the God who still satisfies the thirsty.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 6. -Behold, I willstand before thee there. A visible Divine appearance seems to be intended, which would guide Moses to the exact place where he should strike.The rock in Horeb must have been a remarkable object, already known to Moses during the time that he dwelt in the Sinai-Horeb region; but its exact locality cannot be pointed out. It cannot, however, have been very far distant from Rephidim. (See ver. 8.)

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Behold,
הִנְנִ֣י(hin·nî)
Interjection | first person common singular
Strong's 2005:Lo! behold!

I will stand
עֹמֵד֩(‘ō·mêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5975:To stand, in various relations

there
שָּׁ֥ם ׀(šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thither

before
לְפָנֶ֨יךָ(lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440:The face

you
עַֽל־(‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against

by the rock
הַצּוּר֮(haṣ·ṣūr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6697:A cliff, a rock, boulder, a refuge, an edge

at Horeb;
בְּחֹרֵב֒(bə·ḥō·rêḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2722:Horeb -- 'waste', a mountain in Sinai

when you strike
וְהִכִּ֣יתָ(wə·hik·kî·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5221:To strike

the rock,
בַצּ֗וּר(ḇaṣ·ṣūr)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6697:A cliff, a rock, boulder, a refuge, an edge

water
מַ֖יִם(ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325:Water, juice, urine, semen

will come out
וְיָצְא֥וּ(wə·yā·ṣə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3318:To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

of it
מִמֶּ֛נּוּ(mim·men·nū)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4480:A part of, from, out of

for the people
הָעָ֑ם(hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

to drink.”
וְשָׁתָ֣ה(wə·šā·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8354:To imbibe

So Moses
מֹשֶׁ֔ה(mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872:Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

did
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ(way·ya·‘aś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, make

this
כֵּן֙(kên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651:So -- thus

in the sight
לְעֵינֵ֖י(lə·‘ê·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869:An eye, a fountain

of the elders
זִקְנֵ֥י(ziq·nê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205:Old

of Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃(yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478:Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

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OT Law: Exodus 17:6 Behold I will stand before you there (Exo. Ex)