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.
Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out in great amounts, and all the people drank, along with their animals.
Moses struck a rock with his staff and God provided abundant water for the thirsty Israelites and their livestock in the desert.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred during Israel's 40-year wilderness journey, when the people were complaining about lack of water at a place called Meribah. God had previously provided water from a rock earlier in their journey, but this time He specifically told Moses to speak to the rock, not strike it. Moses' disobedience in striking the rock twice instead of speaking to it would later cost him the privilege of entering the Promised Land.
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