Exodus 15:22-27·~1 min

The Waters of Marah

Three days into the desert, Israel finds only bitter water and grumbles against Moses. Moses cries to the LORD, and the LORD shows him how the water will be made sweet.

T²²hen Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the Desert of Shur. For three days they walked in the desert without finding water. ²³And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. (That is why it was named Marah.) ²⁴So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” ²⁵And Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log. And when he cast it into the waters, they were sweetened.

Verse 22Moses leads Israel from the Red Sea into the Desert of Shur, where they go three days without finding water.

This verse sets up the wilderness need that follows the song.

Verse 23At Marah they find water, but it is too bitter to drink, and the place is named for that bitterness.

This verse sharpens the test by turning hoped-for relief into frustration.

Verse 24The people grumble against Moses and ask what they are to drink.

This verse gives the human response of complaint under pressure.

Verse 25Moses cries to the LORD, who shows him a log; when it is thrown into the water, the water becomes sweet.

This verse shows the LORD answering the crisis through Moses.

At Marah the LORD gives a statute and a test, tying Israel's well-being to listening, obedience, and trust in him as the one who heals.

²⁶There the LORD made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He tested them, saying, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His eyes, and pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statutes, then I will not bring on you any of the diseases I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”

Verse 26There the LORD sets a statute and a test, promising freedom from Egypt's diseases if Israel listens, obeys, and keeps his commands, for he is the LORD who heals them.

This verse interprets the episode as a test of covenant hearing and trust.

The journey then reaches Elim, where twelve springs and seventy palm trees provide rest beside abundant water.

²⁷Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there by the waters.

Verse 27Israel comes to Elim, where twelve springs and seventy palm trees stand, and they camp there by the waters.

This verse ends the scene with generous provision after the test.

Passage shape

A quiet block diagram: each row is one authored paragraph movement, with verse numbers kept visible for scanning and deeper work.

vv. 22-25
Three days into the desert, Israel finds only bitter water and grumbles against Moses. Moses cries to the LORD, and the LORD shows him how the water will be made sweet.
This paragraph introduces the first wilderness test and the LORD's immediate provision.
22 23 24 25
vv. 26
At Marah the LORD gives a statute and a test, tying Israel's well-being to listening, obedience, and trust in him as the one who heals.
This paragraph explains the meaning of the test beyond the water itself.
26
vv. 27
The journey then reaches Elim, where twelve springs and seventy palm trees provide rest beside abundant water.
This paragraph closes the episode with relief and settled provision.
27

Section summaryFrom the Red Sea Israel enters the desert and quickly meets thirst, bitterness, and complaint. The LORD makes the waters sweet, gives a testing word about listening and healing, and then leads them on to Elim, where water is abundant.

Role in the chapterThis section shifts the story from triumph to dependence. It begins the wilderness pattern by showing how quickly deliverance gives way to testing, and how the LORD meets need while teaching Israel how to hear him.