Place

Rephidim

aka Rephidim

Supports, one of the stations of the Israelites, situated in the Wady Feiran, near its junction with the Wady esh-Sheikh. Here no water could be found for the people to drink, and in their impatience they were ready to stone Moses, as if he were the cause of their distress. At the command of God Moses smote “the rock in Horeb,” and a copious stream flowed forth, enough for all the people. After this the Amalekites attacked the Israelites while they were here encamped, but they were utterly defeated (Ex. 17:1, 8-16). They were the “first of the nations” to make war against Israel (Num. 24:20). Leaving Rephidim, the Israelites advanced into the wilderness of Sinai (Ex. 19:1, 2; Num. 33:14, 15), marching probably through the two passes of the Wady Solaf and the Wady esh-Sheikh, which converge at the entrance to the plain er-Rahah, the “desert of Sinai,” which is two miles long and about half a mile broad.

28.7311, 33.8417

Relationships

Events here Wilderness Wanderings

Associated peoples Tribe of Levi, Tribe of Benjamin, Tribe of Joseph, Tribe of Judah, Tribe of Reuben, Tribe of Asher, Tribe of Gad, Tribe of Dan, Tribe of Zebulun, Tribe of Naphtali, Tribe of Simeon, Tribe of Issachar, Nation of Israel

Key verses

Exodus 17:8

Then Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

Exodus 19:2

When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain.

Exodus 17:1

All the congregation of the children of Israel traveled from the wilderness of Sin, by their journeys, according to Yahweh’s commandment, and encamped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink.

Numbers 33:15

They traveled from Rephidim, and encamped in the wilderness of Sinai.

Numbers 33:14

They traveled from Alush, and encamped in Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.