Psalms 106:33
for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Psalms 106:33
for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The phrase "they made his spirit bitter" likely refers not to Moses' emotions, but to the Israelites' rebellion against God's Spirit leading them. This outward rebellion then caused Moses' spirit to become agitated and lead to his rash words, highlighting how the people's sin directly impacted even God's chosen leader.
This passage recounts a specific instance where the Israelites, after experiencing God's deliverance, quickly forgot His faithfulness and began to rebel. Their grumbling and challenging of Moses and Aaron at the waters of Meribah angered God, leading to a consequence that impacted Moses himself, causing him to speak rashly out of frustration. This failure to trust and obey, even by their leader in a moment of weakness, stands as a stark example of their ongoing pattern of disobedience.
The text says 'they provoked his spirit.' Whose spirit was it – God's or Moses'? This distinction deeply impacts how we understand sin and its consequences.
The Two Spirits
This verse is a bit of a linguistic puzzle! The Hebrew word here can be translated as 'they rebelled against His spirit' (referring to God's Spirit) or 'they embittered his spirit' (referring to Moses' spirit).
Ultimately, the commentators lean towards the Israelites' actions causing Moses' spirit to be provoked. Their rebellion against God's Spirit led to Moses' own human spirit being embittered, resulting in his rash words. It’s a powerful reminder of how sin affects both the divine and the human.
Moses, a man known for his meekness, spoke rashly. What does this tell us about the gravity of angry, unadvised speech?
When the Meek Speak Harshly
Moses was renowned for his gentle spirit, often called the meekest man alive (Numbers 12:3). Yet, in this moment, described as speaking 'unadvisedly' or 'rashly,' he falls into a sin that carries eternal consequences for him.
Understand the original words
ruach · Hebrew Noun
The inner person, including the seat of emotions, will, and temperament; it is the vital force that can be stirred, grieved, or embittered.
bata · Hebrew Verb
To speak without restraint or deliberation, often implying foolishness, lack of judgment, or sin in one's verbal communication.
This verse recounts a pivotal moment where the Israelites' persistent rebellion and provocation caused Moses, a man known for his meekness, to sin through impatience and rash words, leading to severe consequences for him and highlighting the gravity of their actions.
c. 1440 BC
Exodus from Egypt
After centuries of slavery, God dramatically delivers the Israelites from Egypt under Moses' leadership, initiating their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1440-1400 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
The Israelites spend 40 years in the Sinai desert. During this time, they repeatedly grumble, rebel, and test God's patience, often forgetting His deliverance and provision.
c. 1400 BC
Confrontation at Kadesh Barnea
The people demand water, having forgotten God's provision of manna and water. They implicitly challenge God's power and presence with them, provoking Him.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Moses Strikes the Rock
In response to the people's rebellion and his own vexation, Moses strikes the rock at Meribah instead of speaking to it as God commanded. He speaks rashly, attributing the power to himself and Aaron ('Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?'). This act leads to God decreeing that neither Moses nor Aaron will enter the Promised Land.
This passage directly narrates the event where Moses, provoked by the Israelites' rebellion, rashly spoke with his lips, striking the rock instead of speaking to it as God commanded, echoing the exact sin mentioned in Psalms 106:33.
Isaiah 63:10This verse speaks of God's people rebelling against and grieving His Holy Spirit, drawing a strong parallel to the 'provoking of His spirit' mentioned in the Psalm and highlighting the grievous nature of their sin against God's guidance.
Hebrews 12:3This New Testament passage warns believers against becoming weary and 'faint in their souls' and directly references the Israelites' contentions (referring to the event at Meribah, associated with this Psalm) to show the severe consequences of such attitudes.
James 1:20This verse states that 'the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God,' which directly speaks to the nature of Moses' 'rash utterance' and underscores the theological point that human anger, even when provoked, falls short of God's perfect standard.
clarkePsalms 106:33: "Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips."
They provoked his spirit - המרו himru, from מרה marah, to rebel: they brought it into a rebellious state; he was soured and irritated, and was off his guard. So that he spake unadvisedly with his lips - For this sentence we have only these two words in the Hebrew, ויבטא בשפתיו vayebatte bisephathaiv, he stuttered or stammered with his lips, indicating that he was transported with anger. See the not…
pulpitPsalms 106:33: "Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips."
Verse 33. - Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips. One man's sin often leads to another's, but does not necessitate it. The people "provoked Muses' spirit" by their murmurs and reproaches (Numbers 20:3-5). Moses, being provoked, made his rash utterance (Numbers 20:10). He was vexed, impatient, carried away by a gust of passion, and made the unfitting speech, "Hea…
The phrase "they made his spirit bitter" likely refers not to Moses' emotions, but to the Israelites' rebellion against God's Spirit leading them. This outward rebellion then caused Moses' spirit to become agitated and lead to his rash words, highlighting how the people's sin directly impacted even God's chosen leader.
This passage recounts a specific instance where the Israelites, after experiencing God's deliverance, quickly forgot His faithfulness and began to rebel. Their grumbling and challenging of Moses and Aaron at the waters of Meribah angered God, leading to a consequence that impacted Moses himself, causing him to speak rashly out of frustration. This failure to trust and obey, even by their leader in a moment of weakness, stands as a stark example of their ongoing pattern of disobedience.
This passage recounts a specific instance where the Israelites, after experiencing God's deliverance, quickly forgot His faithfulness and began to rebel. Their grumbling and challenging of Moses and Aaron at the waters of Meribah angered God, leading to a consequence that impacted Moses himself, causing him to speak rashly out of frustration. This failure to trust and obey, even by their leader in a moment of weakness, stands as a stark example of their ongoing pattern of disobedience.
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c. 1400 BC
Exclusion of Moses from the Promised Land
As a consequence of his sin at Meribah, Moses is told he will not lead the people into the Promised Land, a devastating personal blow resulting from the people's provocation and his own lapse in faith and obedience.
"for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips." — The phrase "they made his spirit bitter" likely refers not to Moses' emotions, but to the Israelites' rebellion against God's Spirit leading them. This outward rebellion then caused Moses' spirit t…