Psalms 105:41
He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
Original Language Analysis
פָּ֣תַח
He opened
H6605
פָּ֣תַח
He opened
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
1 of 7
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
צ֭וּר
the rock
H6697
צ֭וּר
the rock
Strong's:
H6697
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
וַיָּז֣וּבוּ
gushed out
H2100
וַיָּז֣וּבוּ
gushed out
Strong's:
H2100
Word #:
3 of 7
to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow
מָ֑יִם
and the waters
H4325
מָ֑יִם
and the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
4 of 7
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
הָ֝לְכ֗וּ
they ran
H1980
הָ֝לְכ֗וּ
they ran
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
5 of 7
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
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.Numbers 20:11And 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.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.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.Psalms 114:8Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.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?
Historical Context
The rock-water miracle occurred twice: first at Rephidim/Horeb (Exodus 17) and later at Kadesh (Numbers 20). In the second instance, Moses struck the rock in anger rather than speaking to it as commanded, costing him entry into the Promised Land. This severe judgment shows the importance of precisely obeying God's word, especially regarding types of Christ. The rock was a constant reminder of God's provision throughout wilderness wandering.
Questions for Reflection
- How does water from a struck rock prefigure salvation through Christ's suffering?
- What does the abundance of water in a desert teach about God's sufficient provision?
- Why was Moses's alteration of God's command (striking vs. speaking) so severely judged?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse recounts the water from the rock at Horeb (Exodus 17:1-7) and later at Kadesh (Numbers 20:1-13). 'He opened the rock' uses pathach (פָּתַח), meaning to open or split. 'Waters gushed out' (zarab, זָרַב) means to flow or stream forth abundantly. The waters 'ran in the dry places like a river' shows the abundance and continuity of supply. Paul identifies this rock as a type of Christ: 'they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ' (1 Corinthians 10:4). The struck rock prefigures Christ struck in judgment for our sin, from whom flows the water of life (John 7:37-39).