What does Exodus 17:7 mean?
Future generations would come to remember this as a low point in Israel's forty years of desert wandering (Deuteronomy 33:8; Psalm 95:8; Hebrews 3:8–9). Rather than trust, the people test God's patience. They argue about His will. They wonder if He is really with them. God used spectacular miracles to free the Israelites (Exodus 3:19–20; 12:29–33; 14:21–28). He provided them with food and water when they were in need (Exodus 15:22–25; 16:13–15). Despite this, a second water crisis inspires an angry, hostile reaction against Moses (Exodus 17:1–4). Rather than expressing a need through faith, the people are bitter. They demand and despair—they doubt whether God is really on their side.The two Hebrew words used here mean "testing" and "quarreling." Both are meant in the sense of someone who tries God's patience and argues with Him.