Exodus – Chapter 17

Old Testament • 16 Verses

Chapter Summary

Exodus 17 opens with the words: "Then all the multitude of the children of Israel setting forward from the desert of Sin, by their mansions, according to the word of the…" The chapter centers on Moses, Joshua and Aaron. Across its 16 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and worship and praise. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Then all the multitude of the children of Israel setting forward from the desert of Sin, by their mansions, according to the word of the Lord, encamped in Raphidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.

2And they chode with Moses, and said: Give us water, that we may drink. And Moses answered them: Why chide you with me? Wherefore do you tempt the Lord?

3So the people were thirsty there for want of water, and murmured against Moses, saying: Why didst thou make us go forth out of Egypt, to kill us and our children, and our beasts with thirst?

4And Moses cried to the Lord, saying: What shall I do to this people? Yet a little more and they will stone me.

5And the Lord said to Moses: Go before the people, and take with thee of the ancients of Israel: and take in thy hand the rod wherewith thou didst strike the river, and go.

6Behold I will stand there before thee, upon the rock Horeb, and thou shalt strike the rock, and water shall come out of it that the people may drink. Moses did so before the ancients of Israel:

7And he called the name of that place Temptation, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and for that they tempted the Lord, saying: Is the Lord amongst us or not?

8And Amalec came, and fought against Israel in Raphidim.

9And Moses said to Josue: Choose out men; and go out and fight against Amalec: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill, having the rod of God in my hand.

10Josue did as Moses had spoken, and he fought against Amalec; but Moses, and Aaron, and Hur, went up upon the top of the hill.

11And when Moses lifted up his hands, Israel overcame; but if he let them down a little, Amalec overcame.

12And Moses's hands were heavy: so they took a stone, and put under him, and he sat on it: and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands on both sides. And it came to pass, that his hands were not weary until sunset.

13And Josue put Amalec and his people to flight, by the edge of the sword.

14And the Lord said to Moses: Write this for a memorial in a book, and deliver it to the ears of Josue; for I will destroy the memory of Amalec from under heaven.

15And Moses built an altar; and called the name thereof, The Lord, my exaltation, saying:

16Because the hand of the throne of the Lord, and the war of the Lord shall be against Amalec, from generation to generation.

Important Verses in Exodus 17

“Then all the multitude of the children of Israel setting forward from the desert of Sin, by their mansions, according to the word of the Lord, encamped in Raphidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.”

Exodus 17:1

“And Moses cried to the Lord, saying: What shall I do to this people? Yet a little more and they will stone me.”

Exodus 17:4

“And he called the name of that place Temptation, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and for that they tempted the Lord, saying: Is the Lord amongst us or not?”

Exodus 17:7

“And the Lord said to Moses: Write this for a memorial in a book, and deliver it to the ears of Josue; for I will destroy the memory of Amalec from under heaven.”

Exodus 17:14

Historical Context

Exodus addresses israel in every generation, commanded to remember the Passover as a perpetual memorial within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 17 of 40 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 16 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Moses, Joshua and Aaron, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The chapter begins: "Then all the multitude of the children of Israel setting forward from the desert of Sin, by their mansions, according…" The chapter ends with: "Because the hand of the throne of the Lord, and the war of the Lord shall be against Amalec, from generation to…" In terms of historical background, Exodus recounts the defining event of the Old Testament: God's liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh, most likely Ramesses II. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Exodus around Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing

When It Was Written

Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

In this 16-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of liberation, law, and worship. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Then all the multitude of the children of Israel setting forward from the desert of Sin, by their mansions, according to the word of the Lord, encamped in…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Exodus 17 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Church sees the Exodus as prefiguring Baptism and the Eucharist (CIC 1221, 1363). St. John Damascene and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 756).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God delivers His people from slavery. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Exodus 17 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Moses13 mentionsJoshua4 mentionsAaron2 mentions

Reflection for Today

The central section of Exodus—Chapter 17 of 40—opens a particular moment in the story of liberation, law, and worship.

According to Catholic teaching, the Church sees the Exodus as prefiguring Baptism and the Eucharist (CIC 1221, 1363). This chapter especially highlights sacrificial love modeled on Christ, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 756).

Let Exodus Chapter 17 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exodus Chapter 17 about?

Exodus 17 contains 16 verses. It opens with "Then all the multitude of the children of Israel setting forward from the desert of Sin, by their mansions, according…" and closes with "Because the hand of the throne of the Lord, and the war of the Lord shall be against Amalec, from generation to…". The book as a whole is narrative, law, and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Exodus 17?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Then all the multitude of the children of Israel setting forward from the desert of Sin, by their mansions, according to the word of the Lord, encamped in Raphidim, where there…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Exodus Chapter 17?

This chapter mentions Moses, Joshua, Aaron.

Who wrote Exodus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing. Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Related Chapters

Nehemiah 10Shares people and themes with this chapterNumbers 14Shares people and themes with this chapterDeuteronomy 32Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

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