
After Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt (represented background right) they lacked water and were murmuring against him. At God's command Moses struck a rock with his rod and water flowed forth (the Israelites and their flocks are seen drinking in the right foreground). Old Testament (Exodus 17: 1-7).
Both this and its companion 'The Worship of the Egyptian God Apis', and perhaps other paintings now missing, were probably set in the wainscoting of a room. The design may be by Filippino and perhaps the head of Moses in this painting was painted by him.