A place where Moses disobeyed God
Meribah
Named in 8 verses across 4 books, first in Numbers 20:13.
מְרִיבָהMeribah
מְרִיבָה+H6946H«H6946Meribah/-kadesh
Also called Meribah/-kadesh.
The name means “dispute; quarrel.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Meribah Written by AI
Meribah-kadesh, also known as Meribah, was a location in the wilderness where the Israelites quarreled with Moses, and Moses disobeyed God (Numbers 20:13). The people complained about the lack of water, and God instructed Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water. However, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff, and water came out abundantly (Numbers 20:7-11). Because Moses and Aaron did not trust and honor God in the sight of the Israelites, they were not allowed to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12; 27:14; Deu.32.51). The incident at Meribah-kadesh is remembered as a time when the Israelites rebelled against God and Moses (Psalm 81:7; 106:32). In Ezekiel's vision of the future boundaries of Israel, Meribah-kadesh is mentioned as a point on the southern border (Ezk.47.19; 48:28).
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.
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Where the Bible names it
- Numbers 20:13
These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness among them.
- Numbers 20:24
“Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will not enter the land that I have given the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah.
- Numbers 27:14
for when the congregation contended in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you rebelled against My command to show My holiness in their sight regarding the waters.” Those were the waters of Meribah in Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin.
- Deuteronomy 32:51
For at the waters of Meribah-kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you broke faith with Me among the Israelites by failing to treat Me as holy in their presence.
- Psalm 81:7
You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
- Psalm 106:32
At the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD, and trouble came to Moses because of them.
- Ezekiel 47:19
On the south side it will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, and along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea. This will be the southern boundary.
- Ezekiel 48:28
The southern border of Gad will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, then along the Brook of Egypt and out to the Great Sea.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.