And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
What does Exodus 15:24 mean?
In the wilderness of Shur the Israelites had no water. At Marah they had water, but it was bitter; so that they could not drink it.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Exodus 15:23-26 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Exodus 15:24
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
Context in Exodus 15
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Exodus 15 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as plagues, Passover, and the crossing of the sea. Exodus tells the story of Israel’s rescue from Pharaoh, the revelation of the divine name, the covenant at Sinai, and the tabernacle where God chooses to dwell among his people. Read this chapter with the wider themes of redemption, Passover, and covenant in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Central texts on sin, grace, faith, Christ’s saving work, and the Bible’s announcement that salvation is received rather than achieved.