Exodus 17:7

ESV And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"

NIV And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"

NASB Then he named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the Lord, saying, 'Is the Lord among us, or not?'

CSB He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites complained, and because they tested the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"

NLT Moses named the place Massah (which means 'test') and Meribah (which means 'arguing') because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying, 'Is the Lord here with us or not?'

KJV And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?

NKJV So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

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.

Expand

What is the Gospel?

Download the app: