ACCORDING TO THEIR JOURNEYS - The Israelites rested at two stations before they reached Rephidim, namely, Dophkah and Alush Numbers 33:12. Dophkah was in the Wady Sih, a day’s journey from the Wady Nasb. The wilderness of Sin Exodus 16:1 properly speaking ends here, the sandstone ceases, and is repl... [ Continue Reading ]
TEMPT THE LORD - It is a general characteristic of the Israelites that the miracles, which met each need as it arose, failed to produce a habit of faith: but the severity of the trial, the faintness and anguish of thirst in the burning desert, must not be overlooked in appreciating their conduct.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ROCK IN HOREB - (a rock situated, according to Arab tradition, in Wady Feiran. Horeb was a name given to the whole desert of Sinai and subsequently attached to the mountain. Palmer). It is questioned whether the water thus supplied ceased with the immediate occasion; see 1 Corinthians 10:4, the... [ Continue Reading ]
MASSAH ...MERIBAH - See the margin. On the importance of this lesson see our Lord’s words, Matthew 4:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN CAME AMALEK - The attack occurred about two months after the Exodus, toward the end of May or early in June, when the Bedouins leave the lower plains in order to find pasture for their flocks on the cooler heights. The approach of the Israelites to Sinai would of course attract notice, and no c... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA - This is the first mention of the great follower and successor of Moses. He died at the age of 110, some 65 years after this transaction. His original name was Hosea, but Moses calls him by the full name, which was first given about forty years afterward, as that by which he was to be known... [ Continue Reading ]
HUR - Again mentioned with Aaron, in Exodus 24:14. He was grandfather of Bezaleel, the great sculptor and artificer of the tabernacle, Exodus 31:2, and belonged to the tribe of Judah. (See 1 Chronicles 2:18.)... [ Continue Reading ]
The act represents the efficacy of intercessory prayer - offered doubtless by Moses - a point of great moment to the Israelites at that time and to the Church in all ages.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTIL THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN - The length of this first great battle indicates the strength and obstinacy of the assailants. It was no mere raid of Bedouins, but a deliberate attack of the Amalekites, who had been probably thoroughly trained in warfare by their struggles with Egypt.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH THE EDGE OF THE SWORD - This expression always denotes a great slaughter of the enemy.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN A BOOK - in the book, i. e. the book which contained the history of God’s dealings with His people. Moses was further instructed to impress the command especially on the mind of Joshua, as the leader to whom the first step toward its accomplishment would be entrusted on the conquest of Canaan. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
JEHOVAH-NISSI - See the margin, “Jehovah my banner.” As a proper name the Hebrew word is rightly preserved. The meaning is evidently that the name of Yahweh is the true banner under which victory is certain; so to speak, the motto or inscription on the banners of the host. Inscriptions on the royal... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THE LORD HATH SWORN - This rendering is incorrect. Our translators regard the expression as a solemn asseveration by the throne of God. However, to this the objections are insuperable; it has no parallel in Scriptural usage: God swears by Himself, not by His Throne. As the Hebrew text now st... [ Continue Reading ]