1 So the full assembly of Israel’s offspring moved out from the Wilderness of Sin in segments under the LORD’s {YHWH, Journey Guide} instruction; they encamped at Rephidim, yet water {mayim: essential provision} was lacking for the people to drink.
2 Then the people argued with Moses and said, “Give us water {mayim: essential provision} so that we may drink.” Moses said to them, “Why are you arguing with me? Why are you testing the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Sustainer}?”
3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they complained against Moses {Mosheh: mediator figure}. They said, “Why did you bring us up from Egypt, to cause us and our children and our livestock to die from thirst {tsama: physical deprivation}?”
4 Moses {Moshe: overwhelmed mediator} cried out to the LORD {YHWH, Guide In Distress}, “What should I do for this people? They are nearly ready to stone me.”
5 The LORD {YHWH, Sovereign Commander} said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand your staff {matteh: symbol of authority}—the one with which you struck the Nile—and go.”
6 Behold, I {YHWH, Present Provider} stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; you are to strike the rock, and water will emerge from it for the people to drink. And Moses acted accordingly in the sight of the elders {ziknei: representative leaders} of Israel.
7 He named the place Massah {Massah: testing ground} and Meribah because the people of Israel quarreled and tested the LORD {YHWH, Patient Presence}, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”
8 Then Amalek came and fought {vayyillakhem: waged military engagement} with Israel {yisrael: chosen community} at Rephidim.
9 Moses said to Joshua, “Select men for us and go out to confront Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand atop the hill, with the staff {matteh: symbol of authority} of God {Elohim, Battle Commander} in my hand.”
10 Joshua {Yehoshua: faithful warrior} obeyed Moses’ spoken command and fought Amalek {Amaleq: attacking foe}. Meanwhile Moses, Aaron, and Hur ascended to the summit of the hill.
11 Whenever Moses {Mosheh: chosen mediator} raised his hand, Israel prevailed {gavar: became strong}; but when he lowered his hand to rest, Amalek prevailed.
12 When the hands of Moses {Moshe: chosen leader} became heavy, they brought a stone and set it beneath him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on each side, so that his hands stayed steady {emunah: unwavering stability} until the sun went down.
13 Joshua {yehoshua: appointed leader} subdued Amalek and his people in battle, wielding the sword {cherev: instrument of warfare}.
14 The LORD {YHWH, Faithful Warrior} said to Moses, “Write this in the scroll as a memorial {zikaron: lasting testimony}, and speak it so that Joshua hears it, for I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under the heavens.”
15 Moses built an altar and named it, “The LORD {YHWH, Victory Giver} is my banner {nissi: rallying standard}.”
16 And he said, “A hand is upon the throne of Yah {Yah, Sovereign Ruler}; the LORD {YHWH, Divine Avenger} will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”