Water from the Rock
(Exodus 17:1–7)

1In the first month, the whole congregation of Israel (he wrestles with God) entered the Wilderness of Zin (flat) and stayed in Kadesh (holy). There Miriam (rebellion) died and was buried.

2Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer). 3The people quarreled with Moses (drawn out) and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD {YHWH}! 4Why have you⁺ brought the LORD’s {YHWH} assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? 5Why have you⁺ led us up out of Egypt (land of bondage) to bring us to this wretched place? It is not a place of grain, figs, vines, or pomegranates—and there is no water to drink!”

6Then Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer) went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. They fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD {YHWH} appeared to them. 7And the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out), 8“Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron (light bringer) are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.”

9So Moses (drawn out) took the staff from the LORD’s {YHWH} presence, just as he had been commanded. 10Then Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer) gathered the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen now, you⁺ rebels, must we bring you⁺ water out of this rock?” 11Then Moses (drawn out) raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink.

12But the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer), “Because you⁺ did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites (God prevails), you⁺ will not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”

13These were the waters of Meribah (quarreling),a where the Israelites (God prevails) quarreled with the LORD {YHWH}, and He showed His holiness among them.

Edom Refuses Passage

14From Kadesh (holy), Moses (drawn out) sent messengers to tell the king of Edom (red), “This is what your brother Israel (he wrestles with God) says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us, 15how our fathers went down to Egypt (land of bondage), where we lived many years. The Egyptians (double straits) mistreated us and our fathers, 16and when we cried out to the LORD {YHWH}, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt (land of bondage).

Now look, we are in Kadesh (holy), a city on the edge of your territory. 17Please let us pass through your land. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway; we will not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.”

18But Edom (red) answered, “You may not travel through our land, or we will come out and confront you with the sword.”

19“We will stay on the main road,” the Israelites (God prevails) replied, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay for it. There will be no problem; only let us pass through on foot.”

20But Edom (red) insisted, “You may not pass through.” And they came out to confront the Israelites with a large army and a strong hand. 21So Edom (red) refused to allow Israel (he wrestles with God) to pass through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.

The Death of Aaron

22After they had set out from Kadesh (holy), the whole congregation of Israel (he wrestles with God) came to Mount Hor (mountain). 23And at Mount Hor (mountain), near the border of the land of Edom (red), the LORD {YHWH} said to Moses (drawn out) and Aaron (light bringer), 24“Aaron (light bringer) will be gathered to his people; he will not enter the land that I have given the Israelites (God prevails), because both of you⁺ rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah (quarreling). 25Take Aaron (light bringer) and his son Eleazar (God has helped) and bring them up Mount Hor (mountain). 26Remove Aaron’s (light bringer) priestly garments and put them on his son Eleazar (God has helped). Aaron will be gathered to his people and will die there.”

27So Moses (drawn out) did as the LORD {YHWH} had commanded, and they climbed Mount Hor (mountain) in the sight of the whole congregation. 28After Moses (drawn out) had removed Aaron’s (light bringer) garments and put them on his son Eleazar (God has helped), Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. 29When the whole congregation saw that Aaron (light bringer) had died, the entire house of Israel (he wrestles with God) mourned for him thirty days.