A place where the Israelites quarreled with Moses
Meribah
Named in 3 verses across 3 books, first in Exodus 17:7.
מְרִיבָהMeribah
The name means “dispute; quarrel.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Meribah Written by AI
Meribah was a location in the wilderness where the Israelites quarreled with Moses and tested the Lord (Exodus 17:7). The name Meribah means "quarrel" or "contention." The people complained about the lack of water, and Moses, following God's instructions, struck the rock, and water came out for the people to drink (Exodus 17:5-6). The incident at Meribah is remembered as an example of Israel's rebellion and lack of faith (Deu.33.8; Psalm 95:8). It serves as a warning not to harden one's heart against God as the Israelites did at Meribah.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Meribah, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
Quarrel or strife. (1.) One of the names given by Moses to the fountain in the desert of Sin, near Rephidim, which issued from the rock in Horeb, which he smote by the divine command, “because of the chiding of the children of Israel” (Ex. 17:1-7). It was also called Massah (q.v.). It was probably in Wady Feiran, near Mount Serbal.
(2.) Another fountain having a similar origin in the desert of Zin, near to Kadesh (Num. 27:14). The two places are mentioned together in Deut. 33:8. Some think the one place is called by the two names (Ps. 81:7). In smiting the rock at this place Moses showed the same impatience as the people (Num. 20:10-12). This took place near the close of the wanderings in the desert (Num. 20:1-24; Deut. 32:51).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
28.731, 33.842 See it on a map
Where the Bible names it
- Exodus 17:7
He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”
- Deuteronomy 33:8
Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah.
- Psalm 95:8
do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness,
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.