Numbers 20:1-16 ▼

1 THEN came the children of Israel, the whole congregation, into the wilderness of Zin in the first month; and the people abode in Rakim; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.

2 And there was no water for the people to drink; and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.

3 And the people quarreled with Moses and with Aaron, saying, Would God that we had died with the death with which our brethren died before the LORD!

4 Why have you brought the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die here?

5 And why have you made us to come up out of Egypt, and have brought us to this evil place? It is no place for grain, or for wine or figs or pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.

6 Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces; and the glory of the LORD appeared to them.

7 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

8 Take the rod, and gather the assembly together, you and Aaron your brother, and speak over the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth its water, and you shall bring forth to them water out of the rock, so that you shall give the congregation and their cattle drink.

9 And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.

10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said to them, Hear now, you rebels; out of this rock we will bring forth water for you.

11 And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his rod twice; and the water came out abundantly, and the people drank and all their cattle also.

12 And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, Because you did not believe in me, to sanctify me in the presence of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

13 These are the waters of Mesotha (contention); because the children of Israel strove before the LORD, and he was sanctified among them.

14 And Moses sent messengers from Rakim to the king of Edom, saying, Thus says your brother Israel: You know all the trouble that has befallen us,

15 How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians oppressed us and our fathers;

16 And when we prayed before the LORD, he heard our voice and sent an angel, and has brought us forth out of Egypt; and, behold, we are in Rakim, a town in the uttermost of your border;