Exodus 15:22
So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּסַּ֨ע
brought
H5265
וַיַּסַּ֨ע
brought
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִיַּם
sea
H3220
מִיַּם
sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
5 of 17
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וַיֵּֽצְא֖וּ
and they went out
H3318
וַיֵּֽצְא֖וּ
and they went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
7 of 17
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר
in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
9 of 17
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וַיֵּֽלְכ֧וּ
H1980
וַיֵּֽלְכ֧וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
11 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
שְׁלֹֽשֶׁת
three
H7969
שְׁלֹֽשֶׁת
three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
12 of 17
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
יָמִ֛ים
days
H3117
יָמִ֛ים
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
13 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר
in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
14 of 17
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Genesis 16:7And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.Genesis 25:18And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.1 Samuel 15:7And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.
Historical Context
The Wilderness of Shur was the arid region east of Egypt, between the Red Sea and Beersheba. Its name means 'wall,' possibly referring to Egyptian border fortifications. Three days without water in desert conditions creates life-threatening crisis.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when testing immediately follows spiritual triumph?
- What does the pattern of triumph-then-testing teach about God's methods of spiritual formation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The abrupt transition 'So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur' shifts from celebration to journey. Three days of travel 'and they found no water' creates immediate testing. From triumph at the sea to desperate thirst in three days shows how quickly circumstances change. The 'wilderness of Shur' represents desolate, waterless terrain. This transition from mountain-high worship to valley-low need reveals spiritual realities—testing follows triumph.