King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
This [is] the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.
Complete Jewish Bible:
This is M'rivah Spring [Disputation Spring], where the people of Isra'el disputed with ADONAI, and he was caused to be regarded as holy by them.
Berean Standard Bible:
These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness among them.
American Standard Version:
These are the waters of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with Jehovah, and he was sanctified in them.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
This is{H1992} the water{H4325} of Meribah{H4809}; because the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} strove{H7378} with the LORD{H3068}, and he was sanctified{H6942} in them.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 17:7
- 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?
Psalms 95:8
- Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, [and] as [in] the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Deuteronomy 33:8
- ¶ And of Levi he said, [Let] thy Thummim and thy Urim [be] with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, [and with] whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
Deuteronomy 32:51
- Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.
Psalms 106:32
- They angered [him] also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:
Psalms 106:48
- Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.
Ezekiel 20:41
- 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.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 20:13
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Sanctification:** The verse emphasizes that despite the Israelites' quarrelsome behavior, God's holiness and authority are affirmed. The incident serves as a testament to God's sanctity among His people.
- **Sin and Consequence:** The story of Meribah is a narrative of disobedience and its consequences. The Israelites' challenge to God's authority leads to a lack of access to the Promised Land for Moses and Aaron.
- **God's Provision and Testing:** The episode underscores the theme of God testing His people's faith and their reliance on His provision, even in the face of hardship.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **The Wilderness Journey:** Numbers 20:13 is set during the Israelites' 40-year journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The people are in the desert of Zin, near Kadesh, and are again complaining about a lack of water.
- **The Role of Moses and Aaron:** God instructs Moses and Aaron to speak to a rock to bring forth water for the congregation and their livestock. However, in frustration with the people's contentiousness, Moses strikes the rock instead, thus disobeying God's command.
- **Meribah:** The name "Meribah" means "quarreling" or "strife," reflecting the dispute between the Israelites and God. This incident is one of several in which the Israelites test God's patience and provoke Him to demonstrate His holiness and power.
In summary, Numbers 20:13 reflects a moment of crisis in the wilderness where the Israelites' lack of faith and contentiousness is met with God's holiness and judgment. It serves as a lesson on the importance of obedience and trust in God's provisions and instructions, even amidst challenging circumstances. The incident at Meribah has lasting consequences for Moses and Aaron, who are not allowed to enter the Promised Land as a result of their actions.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1992
There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הֵם
Transliteration: hêm
Pronunciation: haym
Description: or (prolonged) הֵמָּה; masculine plural from הֲלַךְ; they (only used when emphatic); it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. - Strong's Number: H4325
There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַיִם
Transliteration: mayim
Pronunciation: mah'-yim
Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). - Strong's Number: H4809
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְרִיבָה
Transliteration: Mᵉrîybâh
Pronunciation: mer-ee-baw'
Description: the same as מְרִיבָה; Meribah, the name of two places in the Desert; Meribah. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H7378
There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רִיב
Transliteration: rîyb
Pronunciation: reeb
Description: or רוּב; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend; adversary, chide, complain, contend, debate, [idiom] ever, [idiom] lay wait, plead, rebuke, strive, [idiom] thoroughly. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H6942
There are 153 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָדַשׁ
Transliteration: qâdash
Pronunciation: kaw-dash'
Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally); appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), [idiom] wholly.