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Exodus 17:2

Moses
DoubtConflict and reconciliation

1 Then the whole congregation of Israel left the Desert of Sin, moving from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.

So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?”

3 But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled against Moses: “Why have you brought us out of Egypt—to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”

4 Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What should I do with these people? A little more and they will stone me!”

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?”
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?
WEB
Therefore the people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?”
ASV
Wherefore the people stove with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why strive ye with me? Wherefore do ye tempt Jehovah?
DARBY
And the people contended with Moses, and said, Give us water, that we may drink! And Moses said to them, Why do ye dispute with me? Why do ye tempt Jehovah?
BLB
And the people contended with Moses and said, “Give to us water, that we may drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you⁺ contend with me? Why do you⁺ test YHWH?”
ÅB
Da kivedes folket med Moses og sa: Gi oss vann, så vi får drikke! Moses svarte dem: Hvorfor kives dere med meg? Hvorfor frister dere Herren?
OTB
Folket klandret Moses og krevde: «Gi oss vann å drikke.» Moses svarte: «Hvorfor klandrer dere meg? Hvorfor setter dere Herren på prøve?»
B1930
Da kivedes folket med Moses og sa: Gi oss vann, så vi får drikke! Moses svarte dem: Hvorfor kives I med mig? Hvorfor frister I Herren?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

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