Old Testament
Numbers 20:11
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out in abundance, and the entire community and their livestock drank.
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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.
What Numbers 20:11 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this passage, Moses, under God's command, strikes a rock with his staff to provide water for the Israelites who were in desperate need. This act demonstrates God's provision and care for His people, even in their moments of doubt and rebellion. The water that flows from the rock symbolizes life and sustenance, showing that God can bring forth blessings from seemingly barren situations. However, Moses' action of striking the rock twice indicates a moment of frustration and disobedience, as he did not follow God's specific instructions to speak to the rock instead. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of acting out of anger or impatience. The abundance of water not only quenches the thirst of the people but also their livestock, highlighting God's generosity and the idea that He meets the needs of all His creation.
How to apply Numbers 20:11 to your life
This passage encourages us to trust in God's provision, especially in difficult times. It reminds us to follow God's guidance carefully and to avoid acting out of frustration. By doing so, we can experience His blessings and meet the needs of those around us.
Curated for this public verse page. Numbers Summary
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Illustrated scene from Moses's story: Moses Strikes the Rock (Numbers 20:1–13)
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Moses
Photo: Diego Delso, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source. Location: Tell es-Sultan, Jericho, West Bank. Resized for the web.
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Jericho
The city of palm trees, whose walls fell in Joshua's day.
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At a Glance — the Book of Numbers
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Moses
- Written
- Around 1400 BC
- Genre
- Law (Pentateuch)
- Original Audience
- The Israelites in the wilderness
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Numbers 20:11 mean?
Numbers 20:11 describes how Moses struck a rock with his staff to provide water for the Israelites. This act shows God's provision for His people, but also highlights Moses' disobedience, as he was supposed to speak to the rock instead.
What does the water from the rock symbolize in Numbers 20:11?
The water that gushed from the rock symbolizes life and sustenance, illustrating God's ability to provide for His people in desperate situations.
What lessons can we learn from Numbers 20:11?
From Numbers 20:11, we learn the importance of obedience to God's commands and the need to trust in His provision, especially during challenging times.
How does Numbers 20:11 relate to community needs?
The passage highlights God's care for the entire community, as the water provided not only quenched the thirst of the people but also met the needs of their livestock.
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