Exodus 17

Smitten Rock

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. Exodus 17:6

Jehovah stands on the rock, the rock is struck, and life-giving water flows out for a dying people. Paul teaches that the Rock that followed Israel was Christ, who was smitten so that living water could flow to all.

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by 1 Corinthians 10:4 — They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
• a type of what is in John 7:37-38 — If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink... rivers of living water.
• a type of what is in John 4:14 — The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life (cited with Ex. 17:6 in the Guide to the Scriptures).
• the same event in 1 Nephi 17:29 — Nephi recalls Moses smiting the rock so water came forth.
• the same event in 2 Nephi 25:20 — Nephi recalls the Lord giving Moses power to smite the rock that the water should come forth.

Joshua (Jesus) as a type

Joshua (Yehoshua) — "Jehovah saves"; the same name as Jesus

And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. Exodus 17:9–13

Joshua carries the same Hebrew name as Jesus and wins the victory for Israel. The King James New Testament even calls Joshua 'Jesus' (Hebrews 4:8), and Jesus is the one who truly saves His people.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• the same title in Hebrews 4:8 — 'If Jesus had given them rest': Joshua is rendered 'Jesus' in the KJV (same Greek name).
• the same title in Matthew 1:21 — Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Moses with outstretched hands

And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. Exodus 17:11–12

Israel wins only while Moses' hands are lifted up, with one man on each side of him until sundown. Early Christians saw in this a picture of Christ's arms stretched out on the cross; this is traditional typology, not a statement of scripture.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

Jehovah-nissi

Jehovah-nissi — "The Lord is my banner"

And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: Exodus 17:15–16

Moses credits the victory to Jehovah, naming the altar 'The Lord is my banner.' Latter-day Saints understand this Jehovah, the rallying banner of His people, to be the premortal Jesus Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him