Psalms 78:15
He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.
Original Language Analysis
צֻ֭רִים
the rocks
H6697
צֻ֭רִים
the rocks
Strong's:
H6697
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר
in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
3 of 6
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וַ֝יַּ֗שְׁקְ
and gave them drink
H8248
וַ֝יַּ֗שְׁקְ
and gave them drink
Strong's:
H8248
Word #:
4 of 6
to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
Cross References
Psalms 105:41He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.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.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.Revelation 22:1And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.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 43:20The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.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.Isaiah 41:18I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
Historical Context
Rephidim (Exodus 17) occurred early in the wilderness wanderings, while Kadesh (Numbers 20) happened in the fortieth year. Both incidents tested whether Israel would trust God's provision or quarrel against His leadership.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ as the 'smitten rock' quench your spiritual thirst in desert seasons?
- What barren 'rocks' in your life need God's cleaving power to become sources of blessing?
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Analysis & Commentary
He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths—the rock-striking at Rephidim (Exodus 17:6) and Kadesh (Numbers 20:11) demonstrated YHWH's power to transform barren stone into life-giving water. The verb bāqa' (clave) parallels the sea-splitting (v. 13), showing God divides impossibilities to sustain His people.
Paul explicitly identifies this rock as Christ: 'they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ' (1 Corinthians 10:4). The smitten rock typifies Christ's crucifixion—struck once to pour out living water (John 7:37-39). Moses's error at Kadesh (striking twice instead of speaking) violated this typology, barring him from Canaan (Numbers 20:12).