King James Version

What Does Exodus 17:6 Mean?

Exodus 17:6 in the King James Version says “Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Exodus 17:6 · KJV

Context

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

8

Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

Read Exodus 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb—This verse is central to understanding Christ in the Old Testament. God says 'I will stand...upon the rock' (צוּר, tsur)—YHWH positions Himself ON the rock that Moses will strike. The Hebrew עַל־הַצּוּר (al-hatsur, 'upon the rock') places God receiving the blow meant for rebellious Israel. Moses strikes the rock and water gushes forth; Paul explicitly declares 'that Rock was Christ' (1 Cor 10:4). The striking pictures divine judgment falling on the Substitute. Water flowing from the smitten rock represents life flowing from Christ's wounded side (John 7:37-39, 19:34). This is gospel in dramatic type: God takes the blow; thirsty sinners drink freely.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Horeb is another name for Sinai region. The rock struck at Rephidim provided water for approximately 2 million people plus livestock—a massive miracle authenticated by the elders' witness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God standing ON the rock to receive the blow picture penal substitutionary atonement?
  2. What does water gushing from the smitten rock teach about life flowing from Christ's crucifixion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
הִנְנִ֣י1 of 20
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

עֹמֵד֩2 of 20

“Behold I will stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לְפָנֶ֨יךָ3 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

שָּׁ֥ם׀4 of 20
H8033

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

עַֽל5 of 20
H5921

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

בַצּ֗וּר6 of 20

“the rock”

H6697

properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)

בְּחֹרֵב֒7 of 20

“in Horeb”

H2722

choreb, a (generic) name for the sinaitic mountains

וְהִכִּ֣יתָ8 of 20

“and thou shalt smite”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בַצּ֗וּר9 of 20

“the rock”

H6697

properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)

וְיָֽצְא֥וּ10 of 20

“and there shall come”

H3318

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

מִמֶּ֛נּוּ11 of 20
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

מַ֖יִם12 of 20

“water”

H4325

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

וְשָׁתָ֣ה13 of 20

“may drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

הָעָ֑ם14 of 20

“out of it that the people”

H5971

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

וַיַּ֤עַשׂ15 of 20

“did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כֵּן֙16 of 20
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

מֹשֶׁ֔ה17 of 20

“And Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

לְעֵינֵ֖י18 of 20

“so in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

זִקְנֵ֥י19 of 20

“of the elders”

H2205

old

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃20 of 20

“of Israel”

H3478

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

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 17:6 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 17:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 10:4Numbers 20:9-11Nehemiah 9:15Psalms 105:41Deuteronomy 8:15Psalms 78:15-16

Places in This Verse

Mount HorebMountain · Modern: Jebel Musa · 28.54°N, 33.97°E17 verses across 6 books
View all places in Exodus 17 →

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Exodus 17 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterExodus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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