Exodus 15:27
And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ
And they came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ
And they came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 13
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְשָׁ֗ם
H8033
עֶשְׂרֵ֛ה
H6240
עֶשְׂרֵ֛ה
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
5 of 13
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
עֵינֹ֥ת
wells
H5869
עֵינֹ֥ת
wells
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
6 of 13
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
הַמָּֽיִם׃
of water
H4325
הַמָּֽיִם׃
of water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
7 of 13
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
וַיַּֽחֲנוּ
and they encamped
H2583
וַיַּֽחֲנוּ
and they encamped
Strong's:
H2583
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s
שָׁ֖ם
H8033
Cross References
Revelation 22:2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.Revelation 7:17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.Numbers 33:9And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they pitched there.Isaiah 12:3Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.Ezekiel 47:12And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
Historical Context
Elim (possibly Wadi Gharandel, about 60 miles from Egypt) provided abundant water in contrast to Marah. The specific numbers (12 wells, 70 palms) may be symbolic or literal, representing God's provision matching Israel's structure.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the progression from no water to bitter water to abundant water reveal God's training methods?
- What 'Elim' has God provided in your life after 'Marah' experiences to refresh and restore you?
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Analysis & Commentary
The relief: 'they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees.' After bitter Marah comes abundant Elim—twelve wells (one per tribe?) and seventy palms (matching the seventy elders, Exodus 24:1?). The phrase 'and they encamped there by the waters' pictures rest after crisis. The progression—no water (v. 22), bitter water (v. 23), sweet water (v. 25), abundant water (v. 27)—shows God's pedagogy: testing, then relief; trial, then comfort; wilderness, then oasis.