Numbers 20:11
And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֨רֶם
lifted up
H7311
וַיָּ֨רֶם
lifted up
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
1 of 15
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָד֗וֹ
his hand
H3027
יָד֗וֹ
his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 15
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וַיַּ֧ךְ
he smote
H5221
וַיַּ֧ךְ
he smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
5 of 15
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַסֶּ֛לַע
the rock
H5553
הַסֶּ֛לַע
the rock
Strong's:
H5553
Word #:
7 of 15
a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)
בְּמַטֵּ֖הוּ
and with his rod
H4294
בְּמַטֵּ֖הוּ
and with his rod
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
8 of 15
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
פַּֽעֲמָ֑יִם
twice
H6471
פַּֽעֲמָ֑יִם
twice
Strong's:
H6471
Word #:
9 of 15
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֙
came out
H3318
וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֙
came out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
10 of 15
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מַ֣יִם
and the water
H4325
מַ֣יִם
and the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
11 of 15
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
רַבִּ֔ים
abundantly
H7227
רַבִּ֔ים
abundantly
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
12 of 15
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
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.Exodus 17:6Behold, 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.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;Numbers 20:8Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.Psalms 78:16He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.1 Chronicles 15:13For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.Matthew 28:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.James 1:20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.Hosea 13:5I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.1 Samuel 15:24And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
Historical Context
Paul identifies this rock as Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4), making Moses' striking a typological picture of Christ's suffering. The second striking violated God's instruction but powerfully illustrates Christ being 'once offered' (Hebrews 9:28)—additional striking unnecessary.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God show grace by accomplishing His purposes despite our disobedience?
- What does the rock struck twice teach about Christ's once-for-all sacrifice?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses 'smote the rock twice' with his rod, and 'water came out abundantly.' God graciously provided despite Moses' disobedience—He struck instead of speaking as commanded (v.8). The double striking suggests either frustrated emphasis or lack of faith in God's method. Yet abundance of water demonstrated God's mercy to undeserving people through imperfect leaders.