And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
NUMBERS 20:11KJVWhat does Numbers 20:11 mean?
Numbers 20:11 describes how Moses, in front of the Israelites, struck a rock twice with his staff, causing water to gush out in abundance so that both the people and their animals could drink. This verse shows a miraculous event where water was provided in the wilderness through Moses’ actions.
In this scene, Moses is leading the Israelites through the desert, and they are desperate for water. God had told Moses to speak to the rock, but instead, Moses strikes it twice with his rod. The verse highlights the physical act—Moses lifting his hand and using his rod—and the immediate, generous response as water flows out for the whole community and their livestock.
The Hebrew behind Numbers 20:11
- "Smote" (נָכָה, nakah): This word means to strike or hit. The verse notes that Moses struck the rock twice, which is significant because God had instructed him to speak to it, not hit it.
- "Twice" (פַּעַם, pa‘am): The detail that Moses struck the rock two times emphasizes his action and may suggest a sense of frustration or urgency.
- "Abundantly" (רַב, rav): This word means "much" or "plenty." The water did not just trickle out; it came out in great quantity, enough for everyone and their animals.
Why Numbers 20:11 matters
- Numbers 20:11 clarifies that Moses did not follow God’s exact instructions, which becomes important in the following verses when God addresses Moses’ actions.
- The verse emphasizes the abundance of God’s provision, showing that the need of the people and their animals was fully met despite the manner in which Moses acted.
- This moment connects to earlier events in Exodus, where water also came from a rock, but under different circumstances, highlighting a recurring theme of God providing for Israel in the wilderness.