📖 Exodus — Chapter 17 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Exodus 17:1 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of RSin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.
Exodus 17:2 Wherefore Rthe 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?
Exodus 17:3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that Rthou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
Exodus 17:4 And Moses Rcried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
Exodus 17:5 And the LORD said unto Moses, RGo on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.
Exodus 17:6 Behold, RI 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.
Exodus 17:7 And he called the name of the place RTMassah, and TMeribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?
Exodus 17:8 RThen came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
Exodus 17:9 And Moses said Runto TJoshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.
Exodus 17:10 So RJoshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
Exodus 17:11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
Exodus 17:12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur Rstayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
Exodus 17:13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
Exodus 17:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a Rmemorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
Exodus 17:15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it RTJehovahnissi:
Exodus 17:16 For he said, RTBecause Tthe LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Exodus 17:1–7 — Water from the Rock
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
At Rephidim Israel has no water and contends with Moses. Moses cries to the LORD, who commands him to strike the rock in Horeb before the elders. Water comes out. The place names Massah and Meribah recall the people's contention and testing of the LORD.
Key Truth: The LORD provides water while Israel questions his presence.
Check What You Remember
1. Where did Israel camp without water? (Exodus 17:1)
Find it in Exodus 17:1 (KJV).
2. What did Moses strike to bring water? (Exodus 17:6)
Find it in Exodus 17:6 (KJV).
3. Name both names given to the place. (Exodus 17:7)
Find it in Exodus 17:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Exodus 17:8–13 — The Battle with Amalek
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Amalek attacks Israel. Joshua leads chosen men in battle while Moses stands on the hill with God's rod. Israel prevails when Moses' hand is raised. Aaron and Hur support his weary hands until sunset, and Joshua defeats Amalek.
Key Truth: The victory involves God's help and the support of others.
Check What You Remember
1. Who attacked Israel at Rephidim? (Exodus 17:8)
Find it in Exodus 17:8 (KJV).
2. Who led Israel's fighters? (Exodus 17:9–10)
Find it in Exodus 17:9–10 (KJV).
3. Name both men who supported Moses' hands. (Exodus 17:12)
Find it in Exodus 17:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Exodus 17:14–16 — A Written Memorial and an Altar
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The LORD tells Moses to write the event as a memorial and rehearse it to Joshua. Moses builds an altar named Jehovahnissi. The closing words announce the LORD's continuing opposition to Amalek.
Key Truth: The victory is to be remembered as the LORD's work.
Check What You Remember
1. In what was Moses to write the memorial? (Exodus 17:14)
Find it in Exodus 17:14 (KJV).
2. In whose ears was it to be rehearsed? (Exodus 17:14)
Find it in Exodus 17:14 (KJV).
3. What did Moses name the altar? (Exodus 17:15)
Find it in Exodus 17:15 (KJV).
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does the dispute over water become a test concerning God’s presence?
2. How does God involve witnesses in the provision of water?
3. What pattern links Moses’ raised hand with the battle?
4. How do Aaron and Hur respond when Moses’ hands become heavy?
5. How does the victory lead to a record for the future?
Notes
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