Journal: Bulletin for Biblical Research
Volume: BBR 06:1 (NA 1996)
Article: The “Moveable Well” in 1 Cor 10:4: An Extrabiblical Tradition in an Apostolic Text
Author: Peter E. Enns

BBR 6:1 (1996) p. 23

The “Moveable Well” in 1 Cor 10:4: An Extrabiblical Tradition in an Apostolic Text

Peter E. Enns

Westminster Theological Seminary

The purpose of this study is to explore the presence and implications of a Jewish exegetical tradition in Paul’s appeal to the exodus/wilderness episode in 1 Cor 10:4. The goal is threefold: (1) to establish that 1 Cor 10:4 is in fact an example of a ubiquitous exegetical tradition that understood the rock in the desert (Exodus 17; Numbers 20-21) as being in some sense mobile: it “followed” the Israelites; (2) to explore briefly the exegetical process that gave rise to this tradition; and (3) to explore some of the implications raised by the presence of this tradition in Paul’s letter, specifically concerning the nature of inspiration and scriptural authority, and to offer a time-honored suggestion toward a solution.

Key Words: 1 Cor 10:4, early Jewish interpretation, use of OT in NT 1 Cor 10:4 as a Witness to an Exegetical Tradition

In 1 Cor 10:1-13, Paul is exhorting his readers to stand firm in the midst of temptation (vv. 11-13). He uses as the object lesson the example of Israel’s wilderness disobedience despite God’s provision for them (vv. 1-5). Part of this provision includes the miraculous supply of food and drink (vv. 3-4). The focus of this study is vs. 4, which says, “they all drank from the same spiritual drink, for they drank from the spiritual rock that followed (ἀκολουθούσης) them. The Rock was Christ.” In understanding the rock as mobile, Paul’s statement bears a strong resemblance to a popular extrabiblical tradition found in a variety of Jewish sources dating roughly from the New Testament era to medieval rabbinic compilations. Three of these sources are reproduced below.1

BBR 6:1 (1996) p. 24

Pseudo-Philo’s Book of Biblical Antiquities 10:7; 11:15; 20:82

Now he led his people out into the wilderness; for forty years he rained down for them bread from heaven and brought quail to them from the sea and brought forth a well of water to follow them.

And there [in the desert] he commanded him [Moses] many things and showed him the tree of life, from which he cut off and took and threw into Marah, and the wate...