Overview
The Bible addresses marah across 6 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Exodus and Numbers. Closely related themes include Music, Afflictions Made Beneficial, Shur and Water. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses.
Key Bible verses about marah
Old Testament
Exodus
So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. Marah: that is Bitterness
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
Numbers
And they departed from before Pihahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah.
And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they pitched there.
People in the Bible and marah
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying marah for yourself
- Begin with Exodus 15:22, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Exodus and Numbers each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Moses and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Music, Afflictions Made Beneficial, Shur and Water.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about marah?
The Bible addresses marah across 6 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Exodus and Numbers. Closely related themes include Music, Afflictions Made Beneficial, Shur and Water. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses.
How many Bible verses are about marah?
The Bible references marah in 6 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention marah?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 15:22: “So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with marah?
Moses.
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