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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 20:13 These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness among them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/20-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/04_Num_20_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 20:13 - Water from the Rock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness among them." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />This <i>was</i> the water of Meribah, because the children of Israel contended with the LORD, and He was hallowed among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Those <i>were called</i> the waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel argued with the LORD, and He proved Himself holy among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Those were the waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel contended with the LORD, and He proved Himself holy among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Those <i>were</i> the waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel contended with the LORD, and He proved Himself holy among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Those <i>were</i> the waters of Meribah because the sons of Israel contended with Yahweh, and He proved Himself holy among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />These are the waters of Meribah (contention, strife), where the sons of Israel contended with the LORD, and He showed Himself holy among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />These are the Waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and he demonstrated his holiness to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />These are the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness to them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />These are the waters of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with Jehovah, and he was sanctified in them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The Israelites had complained against the LORD, and he had shown them his holy power by giving them water to drink. So they named the place Meribah, which means "Complaining." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />These are the waters of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />This was the oasis of Meribah [Complaining], where the Israelites complained about the LORD and where he showed them he was holy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />This happened at Meribah, where the people of Israel complained against the LORD and where he showed them that he is holy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Because the Israelis argued with the LORD and he was set apart among them, this place was called the Meribah Springs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />These are the waters of Meribah, because the Israelites contended with the LORD, and his holiness was maintained among them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />These are the waters of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />These are the waters of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with Yahweh, and he was sanctified in them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />These [are] the waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel have “striven” with YHWH, and He is sanctified among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> These are waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel have 'striven' with Jehovah, and He is sanctified upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />These the Waters of Strife, because the sons of Israel strove with Jehovah, and he will be consecrated in them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />This is the Water of contradiction, where the children of Israel strove with words against the Lord, and he was sanctified in them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />This is the Water of Contradiction, where the sons of Israel were quarreling against the Lord, and he was sanctified in them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />These are the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and through which he displayed his holiness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the LORD, and by which he showed his holiness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />These are the waters of Mesotha (contention); because the children of Israel strove before the LORD, and he was sanctified among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />These are the waters d'Metsutha“Of contention”, for the children of Israel contended before LORD JEHOVAH and he was sanctified among them.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />These are the waters of Meribah, where the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and He was sanctified in them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />This is the water of Strife, because the children of Israel spoke insolently before the Lord, and he was sanctified in them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/20-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=6338" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/20.htm">Water from the Rock</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm·māh (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">These</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mê (N-mpc) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">were the waters</a> <a href="/hebrew/4809.htm" title="4809: mə·rî·ḇāh (N-proper-fs) -- Place of strife, two places in the desert. The same as mriybah; Meribah, the name of two places in the Desert.">of Meribah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">where</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7378.htm" title="7378: rā·ḇū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- Or ruwb; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; to defend.">quarreled</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6942.htm" title="6942: way·yiq·qā·ḏêš (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To be set apart or consecrated. A primitive root; to be clean.">and He showed His holiness</a> <a href="/hebrew/bām (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">among them.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7</a></span><br />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?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/95-8.htm">Psalm 95:8-9</a></span><br />do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, though they had seen My work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-51.htm">Deuteronomy 32:51</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-32.htm">Psalm 106:32-33</a></span><br />At the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD, and trouble came to Moses because of them. / For they rebelled against His Spirit, and Moses spoke rashly with his lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-8.htm">Hebrews 3:8-9</a></span><br />do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-4.htm">1 Corinthians 10:4</a></span><br />and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-37.htm">Deuteronomy 1:37</a></span><br />The LORD was also angry with me on your account, and He said, “Not even you shall enter the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/3-26.htm">Deuteronomy 3:26</a></span><br />But the LORD was angry with me on account of you, and He would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the LORD said to me. “Do not speak to Me again about this matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-21.htm">Deuteronomy 4:21</a></span><br />The LORD, however, was angry with me on account of you, and He swore that I would not cross the Jordan to enter the good land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/9-23.htm">Deuteronomy 9:23-24</a></span><br />And when the LORD sent you out from Kadesh-barnea, He said, “Go up and possess the land that I have given you.” But you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. You neither believed Him nor obeyed Him. / You have been rebelling against the LORD since the day I came to know you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-16.htm">Hebrews 3:16-19</a></span><br />For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? / And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-2.htm">Hebrews 4:2</a></span><br />For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-6.htm">Hebrews 4:6</a></span><br />Since, then, it remains for some to enter His rest, and since those who formerly heard the good news did not enter because of their disobedience,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-11.htm">Hebrews 4:11</a></span><br />Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/27-14.htm">Numbers 27:14</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.</p><p class="hdg">the water</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8</a></b></br> And of Levi he said, <i>Let</i> thy Thummim and thy Urim <i>be</i> with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, <i>and with</i> whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/95-8.htm">Psalm 95:8</a></b></br> Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, <i>and</i> as <i>in</i> the day of temptation in the wilderness:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/106-32.htm">Psalm 106:32</a></b></br> They angered <i>him</i> also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:</p><p class="hdg">Meribah, strife</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7</a></b></br> And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-51.htm">Deuteronomy 32:51</a></b></br> Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of MeribahKadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.</p><p class="hdg">he was</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-16.htm">Isaiah 5:16</a></b></br> But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/20-41.htm">Ezekiel 20:41</a></b></br> I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/36-23.htm">Ezekiel 36:23</a></b></br> And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/20-12.htm">Children</a> <a href="/numbers/20-3.htm">Contended</a> <a href="/numbers/18-29.htm">Hallowed</a> <a href="/numbers/20-12.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/numbers/20-12.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/20-12.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Meribah</a> <a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Mer'ibah</a> <a href="/exodus/15-25.htm">Proved</a> <a href="/numbers/20-3.htm">Quarreled</a> <a href="/numbers/8-17.htm">Sanctified</a> <a href="/numbers/14-11.htm">Showed</a> <a href="/genesis/49-23.htm">Striven</a> <a href="/numbers/20-3.htm">Strove</a> <a href="/numbers/20-11.htm">Water</a> <a href="/numbers/5-24.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/20-19.htm">Children</a> <a href="/numbers/26-9.htm">Contended</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-26.htm">Hallowed</a> <a href="/numbers/27-14.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/numbers/20-14.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/numbers/20-19.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/numbers/20-24.htm">Meribah</a> <a href="/numbers/20-24.htm">Mer'ibah</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-14.htm">Proved</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-6.htm">Quarreled</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-51.htm">Sanctified</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-35.htm">Showed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-7.htm">Striven</a> <a href="/numbers/26-9.htm">Strove</a> <a href="/numbers/20-17.htm">Water</a> <a href="/numbers/20-24.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-1.htm">The children of Israel come to Zin, where Miriam dies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-2.htm">They murmur for want of water</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-7.htm">Moses smiting the rock, brings forth water at Meribah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-14.htm">Moses at Kadesh desires passage through Edom, which is denied him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/20-22.htm">At Mount Hor Aaron resigns his place to Eleazar, and dies</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>These were the waters of Meribah</b><br>The term "Meribah" means "quarreling" or "strife" in Hebrew, reflecting the contentious nature of the events that took place there. This location is significant in Israel's wilderness journey, marking a moment of testing and divine intervention. Meribah is also mentioned in <a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7</a>, where a similar incident occurs, highlighting a pattern of doubt and rebellion among the Israelites. The site is traditionally identified with a location near Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin, though exact archaeological evidence is sparse.<p><b>where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD</b><br>The Israelites' quarrel with the LORD at Meribah reflects a recurring theme of unbelief and rebellion during their wilderness wanderings. This incident underscores the tension between God's provision and the people's lack of faith. The Israelites' complaints about water reveal their persistent struggle to trust in God's promises, despite witnessing numerous miracles. This event is a reminder of the human tendency to doubt in times of need, as seen in other biblical narratives such as the grumbling in <a href="/exodus/16.htm">Exodus 16</a> and <a href="/numbers/11.htm">Numbers 11</a>.<p><b>and He showed His holiness among them</b><br>God's response to the Israelites' quarrel at Meribah demonstrates His holiness and justice. By instructing Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water, God intended to display His power and sanctity. However, Moses' disobedience in striking the rock instead of speaking to it (<a href="/numbers/20-11.htm">Numbers 20:11-12</a>) resulted in a failure to uphold God's holiness. This incident emphasizes the importance of obedience and reverence for God's commands. It also foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's holiness through Jesus Christ, who is described as the "living water" in <a href="/john/4-10.htm">John 4:10-14</a>, offering spiritual sustenance to all who believe.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, who was instructed by God to speak to the rock to bring forth water but instead struck it, leading to significant consequences.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron</a></b><br>Moses' brother and the high priest, who was with Moses during this event and also faced consequences for the actions taken at Meribah.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who were journeying through the wilderness and quarreled with Moses and Aaron due to a lack of water.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/meribah.htm">Meribah</a></b><br>The location where the Israelites quarreled with God, meaning "quarreling" or "strife" in Hebrew, highlighting the contentious nature of the event.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>God, who demonstrated His holiness and authority through the miraculous provision of water, despite the disobedience of Moses and Aaron.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_holiness_of_god.htm">The Holiness of God</a></b><br>God's response at Meribah underscores His holiness and the importance of reverence and obedience. Disobedience, even by leaders, has serious consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Moses and Aaron's actions at Meribah serve as a reminder that leaders are held to high standards and that disobedience can lead to missed blessings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_despite_human_failure.htm">God's Provision Despite Human Failure</a></b><br>Despite the Israelites' complaints and Moses' disobedience, God still provided water, demonstrating His grace and faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faith_and_trust.htm">The Importance of Faith and Trust</a></b><br>The Israelites' lack of faith and trust in God's provision led to quarreling and strife. Believers are called to trust in God's timing and provision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/learning_from_past_mistakes.htm">Learning from Past Mistakes</a></b><br>The repeated events at Meribah highlight the need to learn from past mistakes and to approach God with faith and obedience.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_patmos_in_the_bible.htm">What occurred at Meribah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_occurred_at_meribah_in_the_bible.htm">What occurred at Meribah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_numbers_20_8-11_and_exodus_17_6_differ.htm">Numbers 20:8–11 – Why does this passage seem inconsistent with Exodus 17:6 regarding the instructions God gives Moses for drawing water from a rock? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where's_the_evidence_for_psalm_95_8-9.htm">Where is the archaeological or historical evidence supporting the events referenced in Psalm 95:8-9 regarding Israel's wilderness testing?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">This is the water</span> <span class= "bld">of Meribah.--</span><span class= "ital">i.e., </span>of strife. (See <a href="/exodus/17-7.htm" title="And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?">Exodus 17:7</a>, and Note; also <a href="/numbers/27-14.htm" title="For you rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.">Numbers 27:14</a>, where the words "in Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin," are added to distinguish the latter from the earlier miracle.) In <a href="/deuteronomy/32-51.htm" title="Because you trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of MeribahKadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because you sanctified me not in the middle of the children of Israel.">Deuteronomy 32:51</a> the waters are spoken of as those of "Meribah of Kadesh."<p><span class= "bld">And he was sanctified in them.--</span>The reference in the words <span class= "ital">in them </span>seems to be either to the word <span class= "ital">waters, </span>which is plural in Hebrew, or, more probably, to the children of Israel, amongst whom Moses and Aaron were included. It has been supposed that the place derived its name of <span class= "ital">Kadesh </span>(or, more fully, Kadesh-Barnea, <a href="/numbers/32-8.htm" title="Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land.">Numbers 32:8</a>) from the cognate verb, which is rendered <span class= "ital">sanctify </span>in this and the preceding verse. It was in Kadesh that the sentence of exclusion had been pronounced upon the people generally (<a href="/context/numbers/14-22.htm" title="Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not listened to my voice;">Numbers 14:22-23</a>), and upon Moses and Aaron in particular, and it was thus that the Lord sanctified Himself in dealing with the transgressors. If the place derived its name, Kadesh, from these circumstances, it must have been called by that name proleptically in <a href="/genesis/14-7.htm" title="And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelled in Hazezontamar.">Genesis 14:7</a>--a supposition which is entirely consistent with the manner in which the place is mentioned in that verse ("<span class= "ital">Enmishpat, </span>which is Kadesh.") . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">This is</span> <span class="cmt_word">the water of Meribah,</span> or "water of strife." Septuagint, <span class="greek">ὕδωρ</span> <span class="greek">ἀντιλογίας</span>. The word "Meribah" appears, however, to form part of a proper name in <a href="/deuteronomy/32-51.htm">Deuteronomy 32:51</a>. A similar use of the word is recorded in <a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7</a>. That the same name was more or less definitely attached to these two scenes is only another way of saying that there was a strong similarity between the two sets of associations. At the same time the differences are so marked in the narratives that they leave very distinct impressions upon the mind. <span class="cmt_word">And he was sanctified in them,</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, he revealed there his holiness and power, and put to silence their evil murmurings against him. He was sanctified in them all the more abundantly because Moses and Aaron failed to sanctify him in the eyes of the people; but what they failed to do he brought to pass without their agency. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/20-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">These</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֚מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(hêm·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were the waters</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(mê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Meribah,</span><br /><span class="heb">מְרִיבָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(mə·rî·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4809.htm">Strong's 4809: </a> </span><span class="str2">Meribah -- 'place of strife', two places in the desert</span><br /><br /><span class="word">where</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Israelites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְנֵֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">quarreled</span><br /><span class="heb">רָב֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(rā·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> </span><span class="str2">To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> </span><span class="str2">YHWH</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and He showed His holiness</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקָּדֵ֖שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·qā·ḏêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6942.htm">Strong's 6942: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be set apart or consecrated</span><br /><br /><span class="word">among them.</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(bām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/20-13.htm">OT Law: Numbers 20:13 These are the waters of Meribah (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/20-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 20:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 20:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/20-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 20:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 20:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>