King James Version

What Does Exodus 15:22 Mean?

Exodus 15:22 in the King James Version says “So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

Exodus 15:22 · KJV


Context

20

And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

21

And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

22

So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

23

And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. Marah: that is Bitterness

24

And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The abrupt transition 'So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur' shifts from celebration to journey. Three days of travel 'and they found no water' creates immediate testing. From triumph at the sea to desperate thirst in three days shows how quickly circumstances change. The 'wilderness of Shur' represents desolate, waterless terrain. This transition from mountain-high worship to valley-low need reveals spiritual realities—testing follows triumph.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Wilderness of Shur was the arid region east of Egypt, between the Red Sea and Beersheba. Its name means 'wall,' possibly referring to Egyptian border fortifications. Three days without water in desert conditions creates life-threatening crisis.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you respond when testing immediately follows spiritual triumph?
  2. What does the pattern of triumph-then-testing teach about God's methods of spiritual formation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיַּסַּ֨ע1 of 17

brought

H5265

properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey

מֹשֶׁ֤ה2 of 17

So Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶת3 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙4 of 17

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מִיַּם5 of 17

sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

ס֔וּף6 of 17

from the Red

H5488

a reed, especially the papyrus

וַיֵּֽצְא֖וּ7 of 17

and they went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֶל8 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר9 of 17

in the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

שׁ֑וּר10 of 17

of Shur

H7793

shur, a region of the desert

וַיֵּֽלְכ֧וּ11 of 17
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

שְׁלֹֽשֶׁת12 of 17

three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

יָמִ֛ים13 of 17

days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר14 of 17

in the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

וְלֹא15 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מָ֥צְאוּ16 of 17

and found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

מָֽיִם׃17 of 17

no water

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 15:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 15:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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