Exodus 17:1

Authorized King James Version

And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַ֠יִּסְעוּ
journeyed
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
#2
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#3
עֲדַ֨ת
And all the congregation
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
#4
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#5
יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#6
מִמִּדְבַּר
from the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#7
סִ֛ין
of Sin
sin the name of an egyptian town and (probably) desert adjoining
#8
לְמַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם
after their journeys
a departure (from striking the tents), i.e., march (not necessarily a single day's travel); by implication, a station (or point of departure)
#9
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
פִּ֣י
according to the commandment
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#11
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#12
וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙
and pitched
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
#13
בִּרְפִידִ֔ים
in Rephidim
rephidim, a place in the desert
#14
וְאֵ֥ין
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#15
מַ֖יִם
and there was no water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#16
לִשְׁתֹּ֥ת
to drink
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#17
הָעָֽם׃
for the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the period of Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1440-1400 BCE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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