THEOSISJerome of Stridon
In the Epistle to the Hebrews, the eleventh camp, known as Rafidim, has often been mistranslated to mean "saw the face that protects them" or "seeing the face of the strong." A more accurate translation might be "the defeat of the strong" or "the health of the strong," and in terms of the Syriac language, it could imply "the lowering of the hands." This camp is also mentioned in the book of Exodus (Exodus 17:1), occurring after the Israelites leave the wilderness of Sin. In this narrative, the people complain due to their thirst, prompting a spring to miraculously emerge from the rock of Oribe. Because the Israelites provoked God, this location was labeled Raphidim and Messe, meaning temptation.
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Moses ascends the mountain while Jesus battles Amalek; in the imagery of the cross, the foe is vanquished. When the hands of the one praying are lowered, the adversaries are overcome, causing the Israelites to prevail. Moses sits upon a rock referenced by Zechariah (Zech. 2:5), identified as the rock with seven eyes, which in Samuel’s writings is termed aben ezer, or the rock of help (1 Sam. 4:1). His hands are supported by Aaron and Ur, representing those who dwell in exaltation and radiance. Following the triumph over their enemies, Jethro arrives, bringing Zipporah and their two sons. He offers counsel regarding the selection of seventy elders. Symbolically, this illustrates the church formed from the Gentiles, where the deficiencies of the law are supplemented by the grace of the gospel. Rafidim is thus recognized either as the defeat or the health of the strong, signifying both the downfall of Amalek and the fortification of Israel. Should Rafidim, in the Syriac context, mean a lowering of the hands, this name is attributed to the location due to the people’s grievances against the Lord. I mention these points not exhaustively but rather as a brief acknowledgment that, following the influence of leaven and the Mass (serving as a metaphor) of the Church, it is common for various demonic temptations to arise against us.