Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, April 29th, 2025
the Second Week after Easter
Attention!
For 10¢ a day you can enjoy StudyLight.org ads
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

New Life Version

Exodus 17:2

So the people argued with Moses, saying, "Give us water to drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you argue with me? Why do you test the Lord?"

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Backsliders;   Blessing;   Ingratitude;   Israel;   Meekness;   Meribah;   Moses;   Murmuring;   Presumption;   Trouble;   Scofield Reference Index - Test-Tempt;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Desert, Journey of Israel through the;   Murmuring;   Rocks;   Water;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Aaron;   Meribah;   Rephidim;   Tempt;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Moses;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Exodus, Theology of;   Temptation, Test;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Meribah;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Levi;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Aaron's Rod;   Exodus, Book of;   Kadesh-Meribah;   Provocation;   Temptation;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Exodus;   Massah and Meribah;   Moses;   Numbers, Book of;   Temptation;   Zin;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Levi;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Journeyings of israel from egypt to canaan;   Meribali;   Rephidim;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - On to Sinai;   On to Canaan;   Moses, the Man of God;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Criticism (the Graf-Wellhausen Hypothesis);   Moses;   Pentateuch;   Tempt;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Eleazar (Eliezer) B. Hisma;   Exodus, Book of;   Midrashim, Smaller;   Rephidim;   Water;   Wilderness, Wanderings in the;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
Therefore the people quarreled with Moshe, and said, "Give us water to drink." Moshe said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?"
King James Version
Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord ?
Lexham English Bible
And the people quarreled with Moses, and they said, "Give us water so that we can drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test Yahweh?"
New Century Version
So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why are you testing the Lord ?"
New English Translation
So the people contended with Moses, and they said, "Give us water to drink!" Moses said to them, "Why do you contend with me? Why do you test the Lord ?"
Amplified Bible
Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water so we may [have something to] drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you tempt the LORD and try His patience?"
New American Standard Bible
So the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water so that we may drink!" And Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?"
Geneva Bible (1587)
Wherefore the people contended with Moses, and sayde, Giue vs water that we may drinke. And Moses sayde vnto them, Why contende yee with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?
Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore the people contended with Moses and said, "Give us water that we may drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you contend with me? Why do you test Yahweh?"
Contemporary English Version
The people started complaining to Moses, "Give us some water!" Moses replied, "Why are you complaining to me and trying to put the Lord to the test?"
Complete Jewish Bible
The people quarreled with Moshe, demanding, "Give us water to drink!" But Moshe replied, "Why pick a fight with me? Why are you testing Adonai ?"
Darby Translation
And the people contended with Moses, and said, Give us water, that we may drink! And Moses said to them, Why do ye dispute with me? Why do ye tempt Jehovah?
Easy-to-Read Version
So they turned against Moses and started arguing with him. They said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said to them, "Why have you turned against me? Why are you testing the Lord ?"
English Standard Version
Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord ?"
George Lamsa Translation
Wherefore the people quarreled with Moses, and said to him. Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said to them, Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you tempt the LORD?
Good News Translation
They complained to Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses answered, "Why are you complaining? Why are you putting the Lord to the test?"
Christian Standard Bible®
So the people complained to Moses, “Give us water to drink.”
Literal Translation
And the people wrangled with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said to them, Why do you wrangle with me? Why do you tempt Jehovah?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And they chode wt Moses, & sayde: Geue vs water, yt we maye drynke. Moses sayde vnto the: Why chyde ye wt me? Wherfore tepte ye ye LORDE?
American Standard Version
Wherefore the people strove with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why strive ye with me? Wherefore do ye tempt Jehovah?
Bible in Basic English
So the people were angry with Moses, and said, Give us water for drinking. And Moses said, Why are you angry with me? and why do you put God to the test?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And ye people dyd chyde with Moyses, and sayde: geue vs water to drinke. Moyses said vnto them: why chyde you with me? wherfore do ye tempt ye Lord?
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Wherefore the people strove with Moses, and said: 'Give us water that we may drink.' And Moses said unto them: 'Why strive ye with me? wherefore do ye try the LORD?'
King James Version (1611)
Wherefore the people did chide with Moses and said, Giue vs water that wee may drinke. And Moses said vnto them, Why chide you with mee? Wherefore doe ye tempt the Lord ?
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the people reviled Moses, saying, Give us water, that we may drink; and Moses said to them, Why do ye revile me, and why tempt ye the Lord?
English Revised Version
Wherefore the people strove with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why strive ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?
Berean Standard Bible
So the people contended with Moses, "Give us water to drink." "Why do you contend with me?" Moses replied. "Why do you test the LORD?"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Whiche puple chidde ayens Moises, and seide, Yyue thou water to vs, that we drynke. To whiche Moises answeride, What chiden ye ayens me, and whi tempten ye the Lord?
Young's Literal Translation
and the people strive with Moses, and say, `Give us water, and we drink.' And Moses saith to them, `What? -- ye strive with me, what? -- ye try Jehovah?'
Update Bible Version
Therefore the people strove with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said to them, Why do you strive with me? Why do you tempt Yahweh?
Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore the people contended with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said to them, Why chide you with me? why do ye tempt the LORD?
World English Bible
Therefore the people quarreled with Moses, and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test Yahweh?"
New King James Version
Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, "Give us water, that we may drink." So Moses said to them, "Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the LORD?"
New Living Translation
So once more the people complained against Moses. "Give us water to drink!" they demanded. "Quiet!" Moses replied. "Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord ?"
New Revised Standard
The people quarreled with Moses, and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord ?"
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And the people found fault with Moses, and said - Give us water, that we may drink. And Moses said to them, Why should ye find fault with me? Why should ye put Yahweh to the proof?
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they chode with Moses, and said: Give us water, that we may drink. And Moses answered them: Why chide you with me? Wherefore do you tempt the Lord?
Revised Standard Version
Therefore the people found fault with Moses, and said, "Give us water to drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you find fault with me? Why do you put the LORD to the proof?"
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water that we may drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?"

Contextual Overview

1 All the people of Israel left the Desert of Sin, traveling from one place to another as the Lord told them. They set up their tents at Rephidim. But there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So the people argued with Moses, saying, "Give us water to drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you argue with me? Why do you test the Lord?" 3 But the people were thirsty there for water. They complained against Moses, saying, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and animals with thirst?" 4 So Moses called to the Lord, saying, "What should I do with these people? They are almost ready to throw stones at me." 5 The Lord said to Moses, "Pass in front of the people and take some of the leaders of Israel with you. Take the special stick in your hand with which you hit the Nile, and go. 6 See, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb. When you hit the rock, water will come out of it and the people will drink." And Moses did so, with the leaders of Israel watching. 7 He called the name of the place Massah and Meribah because of the arguing of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the people: Exodus 5:21, Exodus 14:11, Exodus 14:12, Exodus 15:24, Exodus 16:2, Exodus 16:3, Numbers 11:4-6, Numbers 14:2, Numbers 20:3-5, Numbers 21:5

Give us: Genesis 30:1, Genesis 30:2, 1 Samuel 8:6, Luke 15:12

wherefore: Exodus 17:7, Exodus 16:2, Numbers 14:22, Deuteronomy 6:16, Psalms 78:18, Psalms 78:41, Psalms 78:56, Psalms 95:9, Psalms 106:14, Isaiah 7:12, Malachi 3:15, Matthew 4:7, Matthew 16:1-3, Luke 4:12, Acts 5:9, Acts 15:10, 1 Corinthians 10:9, Hebrews 3:9

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:22 - knowest Numbers 11:1 - And when Numbers 16:11 - what is Aaron Deuteronomy 9:7 - from the day 1 Samuel 8:8 - General Psalms 81:7 - calledst Psalms 95:8 - in the Proverbs 25:25 - cold Mark 8:11 - tempting 1 Corinthians 10:10 - murmur

Cross-References

Genesis 9:9
"See, I make My agreement with you, and with your children after you,
Genesis 12:2
And I will make you a great nation. I will bring good to you. I will make your name great, so you will be honored.
Genesis 13:16
I will make your family after you like the dust of the earth. So if anyone could number the dust of the earth, then he could number your children's children.
Genesis 15:18
The Lord made an agreement with Abram on that day. He said, "I have given this land to your children and to their children's children, from the river of Egypt as far as the big Euphrates River,
Genesis 17:4
"See, My agreement is with you. You will be the father of many nations.
Genesis 17:6
Many will come from you. I will make nations of you. Kings will come from you.
Genesis 17:8
I will give to you and your children after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan for yourselves forever. And I will be their God."
Genesis 17:11
In this religious act the skin is cut off from the end of your sex part. This will be the special act of the agreement between Me and you.
Genesis 17:17
Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed. He said to himself, "Will a child be born to a man who is 100 years old?
Genesis 17:18
Then Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live before You!"

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Wherefore the people did chide with Moses,.... Contended with him by words, expostulating with him in a very angry and indecent manner for bringing them thither; loading him with reproaches and calumnies, wrangling and quarrelling with him, and using him very ill, giving hard words and bad language:

and said, give us water, that we may drink; directing their speech both to Moses and Aaron, as the word "give" g being in the plural number shows; which was requiring that of them which only God could do and signifying as if they were under obligation to do it for them, since they had brought them out of Egypt, and had the care of them; and having seen so many miracles wrought by them, might conclude it was in their power to get them water when they pleased: had they desired them to pray to God for them, to give them water, and exercised faith on him, that he would provide for them, they had done well; which they might reasonably conclude he would, who had brought them out of Egypt, led them through the Red sea, had sweetened the waters at Marah for them, conducted them to fountains of water at Elim, and had rained flesh and bread about their tents in the wilderness of Sin, and still continued the manna with them:

and Moses said unto them, why chide ye with me? as if it was I that brought you hither, whereas it is the Lord that goes before you in the pillar of cloud and fire, and as if I kept water from you, or could give it you at pleasure; how unreasonable, as well as how ungenerous is it in you to chide with me on this account

wherefore do you tempt the Lord? the Lord Christ, as appears from

1 Corinthians 10:9 who with the Father and Spirit is the one Jehovah; him they tempted or tried; they tried whether he was present with them or not,

Exodus 17:7, they tried his power, whether he could give them water in a dry and desert land; and they tried his patience by chiding with his servants, and showing so much distrust of his power and providence, of his goodness and faithfulness; and by their wretched ingratitude and rebellion they tempted him to work a miracle for them.

g תנו "Date", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Tempt the Lord - It is a general characteristic of the Israelites that the miracles, which met each need as it arose, failed to produce a habit of faith: but the severity of the trial, the faintness and anguish of thirst in the burning desert, must not be overlooked in appreciating their conduct.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Exodus 17:2. Why chide ye with me? — God is your leader, complain to him; Wherefore do ye tempt the Lord? As he is your leader, all your murmurings against me he considers as directed against himself; why therefore do ye tempt him? Has he not given you sufficient proofs that he can destroy his enemies and support his friends? And is he not among you to do you good? Exodus 17:7. Why therefore do ye doubt his power and goodness, and thus provoke him to treat you as his enemies?


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile