Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that verse from Exodus 15:23. It’s a really interesting and slightly mysterious story! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: God decided to provide the Israelites with food at a large feast in Egypt. They were planning a huge celebration, and they built a massive table laden with food – lots of bread, beer, and wine. But the Egyptians, who were watching, realized that the food was so bad it was making the people sick! What happened next? They quickly built a special room called Marah, which means "the four corners" in Hebrew. They made a pool of water inside, but it was so bitter – like mud and spoiled milk – that they couldn’t drink from it. The Meaning Behind It: “And when they came to Marah…” - This refers back to the event where the Israelites were celebrating in Egypt. “…they could not drink of the waters of Marah…” - They were suffering from sickness and discomfort because the food was bitter. "...for they [were] bitter:” – This is a key part. The word “bitter” here means extremely unpleasant, sour, and uncomfortable. It’s not just a little bit bad; it's a deep, overwhelming feeling of sickness. "...therefore the name of it was called Marah." - Because of this awful experience, the pool of water became known as “Marah.” It’s like saying "it's a place of suffering" or "a place of bad food." So, what does it tell us? God’s Care: This verse shows how God is concerned about his people. He anticipates problems and takes steps to ensure they don’t suffer. Divine Intervention: It illustrates that God doesn't just allow things to be bad; he actively works to prevent them, even if it means a difficult situation. In short, the story of Marah is about a moment of discomfort and a divine response – a way for God to protect his people from something unpleasant. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story? Discuss what this verse might symbolize in a broader sense (like faith or perseverance)?