SEV Biblia, Chapter 15:25
Y Moisés clamó al SEÑOR; y el SEÑOR le mostró un árbol, el cual cuando lo metió dentro de las aguas, las aguas se endulzaron. Allí les dio estatutos y derechos, y allí los probó;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Exodus 15:25
Verse 25. He cried unto the Lord] Moses was not only their leader, but also their mediator. Of prayer and dependence on the Almighty, the great mass of the Israelites appear to have had little knowledge at this time. Moses, therefore, had much to bear from their weakness, and the merciful Lord was long-suffering.
The Lord showed him a tree] What this tree was we know not: some think that the tree was extremely bitter itself, such as the quassia; and that God acted in this as he generally does, correcting contraries by contraries, which, among the ancient physicians, was a favourite maxim, Clavus clavo expellitur. The Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem say that, when Moses prayed, "the WORD of the Lord showed him the tree ynpdra ardiphney, on which he wrote the great and precious name of (JEHOVAH,) and then threw it into the waters, and the waters thereby became sweet" But what the tree ardiphney was we are not informed.
Many suppose that this tree which healed the bitter waters was symbolical of the cross of our blessed Redeemer, that has been the means of healing infected nature, and through the virtue of which the evils and bitters of life are sweetened, and rendered subservient to the best interests of God's followers. Whatever may be in the metaphor, this is true in fact; and hence the greatest of apostles gloried in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world was crucified to him and he unto the world.
It appears that these waters were sweetened only for that occasion, as Dr. Shaw reports them to be still brackish, which appears to be occasioned by the abundance of natron which prevails in the surrounding soil. Thus we may infer that the natural cause of their bitterness or brackishness was permitted to resume its operations, when the occasion that rendered the change necessary had ceased to exist. Thus Christ simply changed that water into wine which was to be drawn out to be carried to the master of the feast; the rest of the water in the pots remaining as before. As the water of the Nile was so peculiarly excellent, to which they had been long accustomed, they could not easily put up with what was indifferent. See the note on "chap. vii. 18".
There he made for them] Though it is probable that the Israelites are here intended, yet the word wl lo should not be translated for them, but to him, for these statutes were given to Moses that he might deliver them to the people.
There he proved them.] whsn nissahu, he proved HIM. By this murmuring of the people he proved Moses, to see, speaking after the manner of men, whether he would be faithful, and, in the midst of the trials to which he was likely to be exposed, whether he would continue to trust in the Lord, and seek all his help from him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 22-27 - In the wilderness of Shur the Israelites had no water. At Marah the had water, but it was bitter; so that they could not drink it. God can make bitter to us that from which we promise ourselves most, and ofte does so in the wilderness of this world, that our wants, an disappointments in the creature, may drive us to the Creator, in whose favour alone true comfort is to be had. In this distress the people fretted, and quarrelled with Moses. Hypocrites may show hig affections, and appear earnest in religious exercises, but in the tim of temptation they fall away. Even true believers, in seasons of shar trial, will be tempted to fret, distrust, and murmur. But in ever trial we should cast our care upon the Lord, and pour out our heart before him. We shall then find that a submissive will, a peacefu conscience, and the comforts of the Holy Ghost, will render the bitterest trial tolerable, yea, pleasant. Moses did what the people ha neglected to do; he cried unto the Lord. And God provided graciousl for them. He directed Moses to a tree which he cast into the waters when, at once, they were made sweet. Some make this tree typical of the cross of Christ, which sweetens the bitter waters of affliction to all the faithful, and enables them to rejoice in tribulation. But rebellious Israelite shall fare no better than a rebellious Egyptian The threatening is implied only, the promise is expressed. God is the great Physician. If we are kept well, it is he that keeps us; if we ar made well, it is he that recovers us. He is our life and the length of our days. Let us not forget that we are kept from destruction, an delivered from our enemies, to be the Lord's servants. At Elim they ha good water, and enough of it. Though God may, for a time, order his people to encamp by the bitter waters of Marah, that shall not alway be their lot. Let us not faint at tribulations __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
ויצעק 6817 אל 413 יהוה 3068 ויורהו 3384 יהוה 3068 עץ 6086 וישׁלך 7993 אל 413 המים 4325 וימתקו 4985 המים 4325 שׁם 8033 שׂם 7760 לו חק 2706 ומשׁפט 4941 ושׁם 8033 נסהו׃ 5254
