Exodus 17:6
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.
Original Language Analysis
עֹמֵד֩
Behold I will stand
H5975
עֹמֵד֩
Behold I will stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
2 of 20
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לְפָנֶ֨יךָ
before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֨יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
שָּׁ֥ם׀
H8033
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בַצּ֗וּר
the rock
H6697
בַצּ֗וּר
the rock
Strong's:
H6697
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
בְּחֹרֵב֒
in Horeb
H2722
בְּחֹרֵב֒
in Horeb
Strong's:
H2722
Word #:
7 of 20
choreb, a (generic) name for the sinaitic mountains
וְהִכִּ֣יתָ
and thou shalt smite
H5221
וְהִכִּ֣יתָ
and thou shalt smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
8 of 20
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בַצּ֗וּר
the rock
H6697
בַצּ֗וּר
the rock
Strong's:
H6697
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
וְיָֽצְא֥וּ
and there shall come
H3318
וְיָֽצְא֥וּ
and there shall come
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
10 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִמֶּ֛נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֛נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
11 of 20
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
מַ֖יִם
water
H4325
מַ֖יִם
water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
12 of 20
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
הָעָ֑ם
out of it that the people
H5971
הָעָ֑ם
out of it that the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
14 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ
did
H6213
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ
did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
15 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כֵּן֙
H3651
כֵּן֙
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
Cross References
1 Corinthians 10:4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.Nehemiah 9:15And 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.Deuteronomy 8:15Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;Psalms 105:41He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.Psalms 114:8Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.Psalms 46:4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.John 4:10Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.Psalms 78:20Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?Revelation 22:17And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.Isaiah 48:21And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.
Historical Context
Horeb is another name for Sinai region. The rock struck at Rephidim provided water for approximately 2 million people plus livestock—a massive miracle authenticated by the elders' witness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God standing ON the rock to receive the blow picture penal substitutionary atonement?
- What does water gushing from the smitten rock teach about life flowing from Christ's crucifixion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb—This verse is central to understanding Christ in the Old Testament. God says 'I will stand...upon the rock' (צוּר, tsur)—YHWH positions Himself ON the rock that Moses will strike. The Hebrew עַל־הַצּוּר (al-hatsur, 'upon the rock') places God receiving the blow meant for rebellious Israel. Moses strikes the rock and water gushes forth; Paul explicitly declares 'that Rock was Christ' (1 Cor 10:4). The striking pictures divine judgment falling on the Substitute. Water flowing from the smitten rock represents life flowing from Christ's wounded side (John 7:37-39, 19:34). This is gospel in dramatic type: God takes the blow; thirsty sinners drink freely.