King James Version

What Does Exodus 17:5 Mean?

Exodus 17:5 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewit... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Exodus 17:5 · KJV


Context

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.

6

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.

7

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? Massah: that is, Temptation Meribah: that is, Chiding, or, Strife


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel—God's instruction to 'go on before' (עֲבֹר, avor) means Moses must lead despite the danger. Taking elders provides witnesses to the miracle, preventing later accusations that Moses found natural water. The command to take 'thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river' identifies the Nile-striking staff that brought plague. That same rod that brought judgment on Egypt will now bring salvation to Israel—the instrument of wrath becomes instrument of grace. This pictures the cross: what seemed God's judgment on Christ becomes salvation's source for believers. The rod's double use shows God's sovereignty over both judgment and mercy.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The elders served as witnesses and representatives of the entire congregation. Their presence authenticated the miracle and prevented later disputes about whether Moses found natural water.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does leading 'before the people' despite danger model courage through God's command?
  2. What does the same rod bringing judgment (Egypt) and grace (Israel) teach about the cross?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 20

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 20

And the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל3 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֗ה4 of 20

unto Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

עֲבֹר֙5 of 20

Go on

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

לִפְנֵ֣י6 of 20

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָעָ֔ם7 of 20

the people

H5971

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

קַ֥ח8 of 20

and take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אִתְּךָ֖9 of 20
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

מִזִּקְנֵ֣י10 of 20

with thee of the elders

H2205

old

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל11 of 20

of Israel

H3478

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

וּמַטְּךָ֗12 of 20

and thy rod

H4294

a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),

אֲשֶׁ֨ר13 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִכִּ֤יתָ14 of 20

wherewith thou smotest

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בּוֹ֙15 of 20
H0
אֶת16 of 20
H853

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

הַיְאֹ֔ר17 of 20

the river

H2975

a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m

קַ֥ח18 of 20

and take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

בְּיָֽדְךָ֖19 of 20

in thine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְהָלָֽכְתָּ׃20 of 20

and go

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and 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 17:5 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 17:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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