At Rephidim, the people quarrel with Moses over the lack of water, and God commands Moses to strike the rock at Horeb, from which water flows. The place is named Massah and Meribah, memorializing Israel's testing of God and contention with Moses. Amalek attacks Israel, and victory comes only while Moses holds up his hands, supported by Aaron and Hur, culminating in Joshua's defeat of Amalek and God's perpetual war against them.
Read Exodus Chapter 17 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Moses
Deliverer of Israel, mediator of the covenant, lawgiver, and prophet who spoke with God face to face
Aaron
Moses' brother, spokesman before Pharaoh, and first high priest of Israel
Pharaoh (of Exodus)
King of Egypt who oppressed Israel and hardened his heart against God, ultimately destroyed at the Red Sea
Miriam
Sister of Moses and Aaron, prophetess who led Israel in worship after the Red Sea crossing
Jethro
Moses' father-in-law, priest of Midian who advised Moses on leadership and organization
Joshua
Moses' assistant and military leader who fought the Amalekites and accompanied Moses on Sinai
Joshua the High Priest
First High Priest of the Second Temple
Jesus Christ
Son of God, Messiah, Savior
Places in This Chapter
Egypt
View on MapLand of Israel's slavery and the setting for God's dramatic acts of judgment and redemption through the plagues
Red Sea
View on MapSite of Israel's miraculous deliverance where God parted the waters and destroyed Pharaoh's pursuing army
Mount Sinai
View on MapThe mountain of God where the covenant was established, the Law given, and God's glory descended in fire and cloud
The Wilderness
View on MapThe desert region where God tested and provided for Israel, teaching them dependence on him through manna, water, and guidance
Wilderness of Sin
View on MapThe Wilderness of Sin was a desert region on the Sinai Peninsula located between Elim and Mount Sinai. It was here that the Israelites first complained about hunger after leaving Egypt, and God miraculously provided manna and quail to sustain them. This location marked the beginning of God's daily supernatural provision for Israel's 40-year wilderness journey.
Rephidim
View on MapRephidim was a crucial encampment site in the wilderness where the Israelites camped during their journey from Egypt to Mount Sinai. It was here that Moses struck the rock to provide water for the thirsty people, and where Joshua led Israel's first military victory against the Amalekites while Moses held up his hands in prayer.
Position in Book
Israel in EgyptChapters 1-2
The Call of MosesChapters 3-4
The Plagues and PassoverChapters 5-12
The Exodus and Red SeaChapters 13-15
Journey to SinaiChapters 16-18
God provides manna and quail in the wilderness, water from the rock, and victory over the Amalekites. Jethro advises Moses on leadership.
The Covenant at SinaiChapters 19-24
Instructions for the TabernacleChapters 25-31
The Golden CalfChapters 32-34
Construction of the TabernacleChapters 35-40
Bible Bites
The first person 'filled with the Spirit' was an artist
The very first person the Bible describes as 'filled with the Spirit of God' isn't a prophet or a king, it's Bezalel, a craftsman gifted for artistic design, gold-work and carving to build the Tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-5). Creativity itself is treated as a divine gift.
Exodus 31:1-5