81 Judging from the way the story is told they were not far from the oasis. But God had other plans for them, to see if they would trust him wholeheartedly and obey. They did not do very well this first time, and they will have to learn how to obey. The lesson is clear: God uses adversity to test his people’s loyalty. The response to adversity must be prayer to God, for he can turn the bitter into the sweet, the bad into the good, and the prospect of death into life.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy date palms, and they camped there by the water.

NLTNew Living Translation

After leaving Marah, the Israelites traveled on to the oasis of Elim, where they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the water.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And they came to Elim, and twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees were there, and they encamped there at the water.

KJV 1900King James Version

And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

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