Bible Glide

Exodus 17

Exodus 17 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Exodus 17 records two hard moments in Israel's journey: a crisis of thirst and an attack from Amalek. In both scenes, the people learn that God is present, provides what they need, and gives help for the fight ahead.

Read in ReaderShare Passage

What happens in Exodus 17?

At Rephidim, the Israelites have no water and complain against Moses, which he treats as a deeper test of the LORD. Moses cries out, and God tells him to strike a rock at Horeb so water will flow for the people. The place is named Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel and the question of whether the LORD is among them. Soon after, Amalek attacks. Joshua leads the battle while Moses stands on the hill with the staff of God, and Aaron and Hur support his tired hands. Israel wins, and Moses marks the victory with an altar named for the LORD as their banner.

Exodus 17 comes after the wilderness provision of Exodus 16 and before the arrival of Jethro and the shaping of Israel's shared life in Exodus 18. The chapter shows that the journey after Egypt is not only about survival, but about learning trust, obedience, and dependence on God's help in daily need and conflict.

Themes to notice

  • God providesWhen the people have no water, the LORD answers their need with a clear act of provision.
  • Trust under pressureThe complaints at Rephidim show how fear can turn a real need into a test of God's presence.
  • Shared strengthVictory over Amalek comes through prayerful leadership, steady support, and faithful action together.

Questions for Exodus 17

  • What does the people's complaint at Rephidim reveal about their trust in God?
  • Why do you think God told Moses to use the same staff associated with earlier acts of judgment?
  • What do Aaron and Hur contribute to the victory over Amalek, and what does that suggest about community support?

Read the full text of Exodus 17 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Exodus 17

Water from the Rock

1Then 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.2So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?”

3But 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?”

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

5And the LORD said to Moses, “Walk on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you. Take along in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.6Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. And when you strike the rock, water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.7He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”

The Defeat of the Amalekites

8After this, the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.9So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with the staff of God in my hand.”10Joshua did as Moses had instructed him and fought against the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.11As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed; but when he lowered them, Amalek prevailed.12When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.13So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his army with the sword.14Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua, because I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”15And Moses built an altar and named it The LORD Is My Banner.16“Indeed,” he said, “a hand was lifted up toward the throne of the LORD. The LORD will war against Amalek from generation to generation.”

Keep studying

Save notes and ask about Exodus 17

Create a free account to keep highlights and notes across devices, or open Bible Glide Chat with this passage already attached.

Create Free AccountAsk About This Passage