Exodus 17:2
ESV
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?"
NIV
So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses replied, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?"
NASB
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?'
CSB
So the people complained to Moses, "Give us water to drink." "Why are you complaining to me?" Moses replied to them. "Why are you testing the Lord?"
NLT
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?'
KJV
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?
NKJV
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?”
What does Exodus 17:2 mean?
The people of Israel saw God meet their needs with miracle after miracle. They were freed from slavery (Exodus 12:40–41) thanks to God's plagues on Egypt (Exodus 3:19–20). God rescued them by parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21–28). He purified water for them (Exodus 15:22–25). The Lord gave them miraculous food when they were hungry (Exodus 16:13–15). But when water is scarce for a second time, they are angry and contentious.At times, the Israelites are said to "grumble" against Moses (Exodus 15:24; 16:2). That describes discontent, complaining, and criticism. Here, they "quarrel;" they actively debate and argue with him. Their response is so aggressive that Moses is afraid it will become violent (Exodus 17:4). Given all the proofs of God's care for the nation, Moses does not understand why they express such hostile anger.
Moses also frames their bickering as testing God. This "testing" implies straining His patience, challenging Him, or presuming to put Him under their scrutiny. Satan tempted Jesus in this way when he suggested that Jesus should jump from a height, forcing God to rescue Him (Matthew 4:5–6; Luke 4:9–11). Jesus refused to put God "to the test" in this way (Matthew 4:7; Luke 4:12). The verse Jesus cites (Deuteronomy 6:16) goes on to mention this incident from Exodus chapter 17.
Unfortunately, this would not be the only time Israel tested God's patience in this way (Numbers 14:22).
