Exodus 17:1
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַ֠יִּסְעוּ
journeyed
H5265
וַ֠יִּסְעוּ
journeyed
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲדַ֨ת
And all the congregation
H5712
עֲדַ֨ת
And all the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
3 of 17
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִמִּדְבַּר
from the wilderness
H4057
מִמִּדְבַּר
from the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
6 of 17
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
סִ֛ין
of Sin
H5512
סִ֛ין
of Sin
Strong's:
H5512
Word #:
7 of 17
sin the name of an egyptian town and (probably) desert adjoining
לְמַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם
after their journeys
H4550
לְמַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם
after their journeys
Strong's:
H4550
Word #:
8 of 17
a departure (from striking the tents), i.e., march (not necessarily a single day's travel); by implication, a station (or point of departure)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פִּ֣י
according to the commandment
H6310
פִּ֣י
according to the commandment
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
10 of 17
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙
and pitched
H2583
וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙
and pitched
Strong's:
H2583
Word #:
12 of 17
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
וְאֵ֥ין
H369
מַ֖יִם
and there was no water
H4325
מַ֖יִם
and there was no water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
15 of 17
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Cross References
Exodus 16:1And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.Exodus 19:2For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.
Historical Context
Rephidim's exact location is uncertain but likely in the southern Sinai peninsula before reaching Mount Sinai. The site becomes significant for both water from rock and the Amalek battle.
Questions for Reflection
- How does obedience to God's direction not exempt believers from trials?
- What does journeying 'by the mouth of the LORD' teach about following divine guidance even into difficulty?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin—Israel's journey from Sin to Rephidim marks continued testing after manna provision. The phrase 'according to the commandment of the LORD' (עַל־פִּי יְהוָה, al-pi YHWH, literally 'by the mouth of the LORD') emphasizes divine direction—they move only as God speaks through the cloud/fire pillar. Yet this obedience in location doesn't translate to obedience in attitude. Rephidim (רְפִידִם, 'rests' or 'supports') becomes the place of testing without water, showing that following God's direction doesn't eliminate trials. Paul warns believers against Israel's wilderness failures (1 Cor 10:5-11), urging us to trust God through appointed difficulties.