BibleWord.ai› Bible› Exodus› Chapter 17› Verse 7

Exodus 17:7

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 17:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the striving of the children of Israel, and because they tempted Jehovah, saying, Is Jehovah among us, or not?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the striving of the children of Israel, and because they tempted Jehovah, saying, Is Jehovah among us, or not?
Exodus 17:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4And Moses cried unto Jehovah, saying, What shall I do unto this people? They are almost ready to stone me.
5And Jehovah said unto Moses, Pass on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and they rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thy hand, and go.
6Behold, 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.
7And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the striving of the children of Israel, and because they tempted Jehovah, saying, Is Jehovah among us, or not?
8Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
9And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to-morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.
10So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
← Exodus 17:6Exodus 17:8 →
← Full Chapter 17 Exodus Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, etc.] The former signifies “temptation”, and the latter “contention”: the reason of which names being given by Moses, or whoever was the name of the place, follows: “because of the chiding of the children of Israel”; that was the reason why it was called by the last name, Meribah, because here, the Israelites chid and contended with Moses, and used him opprobriously: and because they tempted the Lord; therefore it had the former name of Massah: saying, is the Lord among us or not? as if they should say, if we perish through thirst, the Lord is not among us, nor takes any care of us; nor was it he that brought us out of Egypt, but…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“called the name of the place--Massah ("temptation"); Meribah ("chiding," "strife"): the same word which is rendered "provocation" (Heb 3:8).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Massah ...Meribah - See the margin. On the importance of this lesson see our Lord’s words, Matthew 4:7. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Massah: i.e. Temptation, Num 20:13; Deu 9:22 Meribah: that is, Chiding or Strife, Exo 17:2; Psa 81:7 chiding: Exo 17:2 tempted: Psa 95:8; Heb 3:8, Heb 3:9 Is the Lord: Exo 34:9; Deu 31:17; Jos 22:31; Isa 12:6; Mic 3:11; Joh 1:14; Act 7:37-39 Exodus 17:8”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Exodus 17 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification