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Exodus 17:1

King James Version (KJV)

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— D.L. Moody

Exodus 17:1

Verse 1 of 16

Scripture focus

And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and [there was] no water for the people to drink.

Exodus 17:1 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Exodus 17:1

Theological / Devotional

Pitched in Rephidim. Between the Wilderness of Sin, where the fall of the manna began, and Rephidim, lay two camp sites, Dophkah and Alush (Num. 33:12, 13). The location of these stations, as well as that of Rephidim, is unknown. Most Biblical scholars have sought Rephidim in the Wadi Feiran, which leads up to the traditional Mt. Sinai.

Others have identified it with the Wadi Refayid, primarily because of the similarity of its name to Rephidim. Wadi Refayid lies but a few hours’ march from Mt. Sinai. This fact favors its identification with Rephidim, since in several texts Mt. Horeb is used almost synonymously with Mt. Sinai (see Ex. 17:6; 33:6; Ps. 106:19; etc.).

No water. Traveling in the late spring the people expected to find water in the valleys. This probably accounts for the fact that water was not taken in sufficient quantity. The dry river bed of the valley of Rephidim proved to be the cause of consternation more serious than any they had felt before.

By SdaBc