King James Version
Exodus 17:4 in the King James Version says “And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.”
Exodus 17:4 · KJV
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?
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?
And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
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.
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“unto the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
“unto this people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
“ready to stone”
H5619properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if a delapidation)
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.
Exodus 17:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Exodus 17:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge