Rephidim
“Rests; supports; resting places”
Summary
Rephidim was a camping place of the Israelites between the wilderness of Sin and Sinai, where Moses struck the rock for water and Israel defeated the Amalekites.
☩Water from the Rock
At Rephidim there was no water for the people to drink, and they murmured against Moses. God commanded Moses to go before the people to 'the rock in Horeb' and strike it with his rod, whereupon water came forth. Because of the people's testing of God, the place was called Massah ('temptation') and Meribah ('chiding'). This miraculous supply of water became a type of Christ, the spiritual rock who provides living water.
☩Victory over Amalek
While encamped at Rephidim, the Amalekites attacked Israel in their first battle after the Exodus. Moses sent Joshua to lead the army while he went to the top of the hill with the rod of God in his hand, accompanied by Aaron and Hur. When Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed; when he lowered them, Amalek prevailed. Aaron and Hur supported his hands until sunset, and Israel defeated Amalek. The Lord declared perpetual war against Amalek, and Moses built an altar called Jehovah-nissi, 'the LORD is my banner.'
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Rephidim," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Rephidim," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Rephidim," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Rephidim," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).