Ex 17:1-7. THE PEOPLE MURMUR FOR WATER.
1. the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of
Sin--In the succinct annals of this book, those places only are
selected for particular notice by the inspired historian, which were
scenes memorable for their happy or painful interest in the history of
the Israelites. A more detailed itinerary is given in the later books
of Moses, and we find that here two stations are omitted
(Nu 33:1-56).
according to the commandment of the Lord, &c.--not given in
oracular response, nor a vision of the night, but indicated by the
movement of the cloudy pillar. The same phraseology occurs elsewhere
(Nu 9:18, 19).
pitched in Rephidim--now believed, on good grounds, to be Wady
Feiran, which is exactly a day's march from Mount Sinai, and at the
entrance of the Horeb district. It is a long circuitous defile about
forty feet in breadth, with perpendicular granite rocks on both sides.
The wilderness of Sin through which they approached to this valley is
very barren, has an extremely dry and thirsty aspect, little or no
water, scarcely even a dwarfish shrub to be seen, and the only shelter
to the panting pilgrims is under the shadow of the great overhanging
cliffs.
JFB.
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