Strike נגע-Nachah

Please excuse my unsophisticated vernacular, but today’s lesson should prove to be quite mind-blowing. The Scriptural backdrop for today is the Sinai Desert where we find the Israelites on a long trek towards Mount Sinai. They have just escaped the evil clutches of the Egyptian army whom the L-rd drowned in the Red Sea after they miraculously crossed through it and after many long hours of hiking from one place to another, their thirst for water begins to intensify. So with this context in mind, let’s take a look at the following Scripture:

“The Israelites left the desert and moved from one place to another each time the LORD ordered them to. Once they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for them to drink. The people started complaining to Moses, "Give us some water!" The LORD answered, "Take some of the leaders with you and go ahead of the rest of the people. Also take along the walking stick you used to strike the Nile River, and when you get to the rock at Mount Sinai, I will be there with you. Strike the rock with the stick, and water will pour out for the people to drink.” –Exodus 17:1-2, 5-6

As mentioned in previous lessons, the Old Testament is just teeming with symbolism that point to Jesus in the New Testament and this particular scene is no exception. So here we have G-d in response to the people’s complaints for water instructing Moses to take a stick and strike the boulder at Mount Sinai. Moses does so and instantly life-giving water comes gushing profusely out of the rock.

The word “strike” being used here is the Hebrew word “nachah” and it specifically means to strike with the intention to do harm and kill. It is a violent word possessing an atmosphere of wickedness and malice. Normally, in a context like this, another more neutral verb would be used for the utilitarian act of hitting a rock to obtain water. This usage of “nachah” has caused many a Rabbi to scratch their heads in confusion. It’s almost as if G-d is instructing Moses to in a sense ferociously “murder” the rock with his staff. Why oh why, would G-d choose to use such an emotionally-charged word in this context? Well, the answer can be found in the answer to this question? Which Rock was struck down viciously so that living water would pour forth for all of G-d’s people? That’s right! Jesus the Christ.

These are not just some tricky symbolic word games I’m playing here to somehow prove the unity between the Old and New testaments. The symbolism I’m pointing out is valid and real. Without the Messiah to make the connection, the use of the word “nachah” makes no sense. Although, this is completely lost in an English translation, the original Hebrew reveals all. Totally awesome!! And what’s great, is that there are innumerable more signs like this strewn throughout the Hebrew Scriptures.

L-rd, thank you for our Rock of Salvation Jesus. He was struck for our sins, so that we may partake of His living water and thus obtain eternal life.

Amen.