King James Version

What Does Exodus 17:3 Mean?

Exodus 17:3 in the King James Version says “And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou ha...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?”

Exodus 17:3 · KJV

Context

1

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.

2

Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?

3

And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?

4

And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.

5

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.

Read Exodus 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses—Physical thirst produces spiritual complaint. The verb 'murmured' (לוּן, lun) appears again (cf. Ex 16:2), showing Israel's default response to hardship. Their accusation that Moses brought them from Egypt 'to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst' reveals staggering unbelief: they interpret every trial as murderous intent. This projecting of evil motives onto God's servants (and thereby onto God) demonstrates how unbelief breeds paranoia. The thirst is real, but the interpretation—that God/Moses intends their death—is blasphemous. Christ also faced false accusations that He worked by Beelzebub (Matt 12:24), showing that unbelief interprets divine works as demonic.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Sinai wilderness is extremely arid. Without supernatural provision, no large group could survive. Israel's thirst was genuine crisis, making their need legitimate but their response faithless.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does unbelief interpret God's testing as God's attempt to destroy us?
  2. What does accusing leaders of murderous intent reveal about the murmurer's heart toward God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיִּצְמָ֨א1 of 20

“thirsted”

H6770

to thirst (literally or figuratively)

שָׁ֤ם2 of 20
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

הָעָ֖ם3 of 20

“And the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

לַמַּ֔יִם4 of 20

“there for water”

H4325

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

וַיָּ֥לֶן5 of 20

“murmured”

H3885

to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)

הָעָ֖ם6 of 20

“And the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

עַל7 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מֹשֶׁ֑ה8 of 20

“against Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר9 of 20

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָ֤מָּה10 of 20
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

זֶּה֙11 of 20
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הֶֽעֱלִיתָ֣נוּ12 of 20

“Wherefore is this that thou hast brought”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם13 of 20

“us up out of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לְהָמִ֥ית14 of 20

“to kill”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

אֹתִ֛י15 of 20
H853

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

וְאֶת16 of 20
H853

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

בָּנַ֥י17 of 20

“us and our children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְאֶת18 of 20
H853

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

מִקְנַ֖י19 of 20

“and our cattle”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

בַּצָּמָֽא׃20 of 20

“with thirst”

H6772

thirst (literally or figuratively)

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 17:3 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 17:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 16:2-3Exodus 15:24

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Exodus 17 →

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