Exodus 17:5
ESV
And the Lord said to Moses, "Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.
NIV
The Lord answered Moses, "Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.
NASB
Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.
CSB
The Lord answered Moses, "Go on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you. Take the staff you struck the Nile with in your hand and go.
NLT
The Lord said to Moses, 'Walk out in front of the people. Take your staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and call some of the elders of Israel to join you.
KJV
And the Lord said unto Moses, Go 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.
NKJV
And the Lord said to Moses, “Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go.
What does Exodus 17:5 mean?
Israelites have harshly opposed Moses because of a water shortage (Exodus 17:1–3). They have forgotten the many recent ways in which God has provided for their needs (Exodus 14:21–28; 15:22–25; 16:13–15). Instead of expressing concern in faith, they become so aggressive that Moses wonders if they will become violent (Exodus 17:4). This embarrassing response is why the incident becomes one of the most infamous in Israel's history (Exodus 17:7; Deuteronomy 33:8; Psalm 95:8; Hebrews 3:8–9). Moses has just asked God what should happen in response to these issues.Here, the Lord sets up a very public display. The Jewish leaders (Exodus 4:29–31) will come with Moses to a landmark rock at a place called Horeb. This same region is also called "Sinai" (Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 5:2; 29:1). Moses and the elders will assemble in front of the people, and Moses will bring his staff (Exodus 4:17) which God used to trigger other miracles (Exodus 7:20; 9:23; 10:13; 14:16). There, God will once again meet their needs (Exodus 17:6–7).
Exodus 17:1–7 records the second time God miraculously provided water in response to Israelite complaining. He has just given them meat (Exodus 16:13) and an ongoing daily provision of manna (Exodus 16:14–16). Yet when the people don't find water at their next stop, they react poorly. This time, they openly argue with Moses. Protests are so heated that Moses worries about violence. God instructs Moses and then creates a water source for the people.
Israel condemns and argues against Moses because of a water shortage, despite recent miracles proving the Lord's care. In response, God arranges a public display of His power through Moses. Then, when Amalekites attack Israel, God gives them power to repel the attack. This comes in the form of Moses holding up his staff, assisted by Aaron and Hur. Joshua is introduced as a military leader.
