Numbers 27:14

For ye 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.

For ye rebelled {H4784} against my commandment {H6310} in the desert {H4057} of Zin {H6790}, in the strife {H4808} of the congregation {H5712}, to sanctify {H6942} me at the water {H4325} before their eyes {H5869}: that is the water {H4325} of Meribah {H4809} in Kadesh {H6946} in the wilderness {H4057} of Zin {H6790}.

because in the Tzin Desert, when the community was disputing with me, you rebelled against my order to uphold my holiness by means of the water, with them looking on." (This was M'rivat-Kadesh Spring, in the Tzin Desert.)

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.โ€ Those were the waters of Meribah in Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin.

because ye rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the waters before their eyes. (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

Commentary

Numbers 27:14 serves as a stern reminder of the consequences of disobedience, even for revered leaders like Moses. This verse, spoken by God to Moses, reiterates the specific transgression that prevented him from entering the Promised Land: his rebellion at the waters of Meribah.

Context

This verse is found within a passage where God informs Moses that his time to lead the Israelites is drawing to a close and that he will not enter the land of Canaan. God then instructs Moses to appoint Joshua as his successor (Numbers 27:18). The reason for Moses' exclusion is explicitly stated here, referring back to a pivotal event detailed in Numbers chapter 20. There, the Israelites complained bitterly about the lack of water in the "desert of Zin" at Kadesh. God commanded Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water. However, Moses, exasperated by the people's constant grumbling, struck the rock twice with his staff instead. This act, while producing water, was a direct disobedience to God's specific instruction and a failure to properly "sanctify" God in the eyes of the congregation.

Key Themes

  • Obedience and Disobedience: The verse highlights the critical importance of exact obedience to God's commands. Moses' failure to follow God's precise instructions, even in a moment of frustration, carried severe consequences.
  • God's Holiness and Sanctity: God's command was "to sanctify me at the water before their eyes." Moses' actions, striking the rock rather than speaking to it, implied a lack of faith in God's word alone or a display of his own anger, thus diminishing God's holiness and power in the people's perception.
  • Consequences for Leaders: Even a leader as prominent and faithful as Moses was held accountable for his actions. This underscores that no one is above divine judgment, and leaders bear a greater responsibility to accurately represent God.
  • Divine Justice: God's judgment is impartial and just. The penalty for Moses' rebellion, though seemingly harsh given his lifetime of service, demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His own holiness and the integrity of His commands. This same principle of consequences for sin is echoed throughout scripture (Romans 6:23).

Linguistic Insights

The name "Meribah" (Hebrew: ืžึฐืจึดื™ื‘ึธื”, Mฤ•rรฎแธ‡รข) literally means "strife" or "contention." This name was given to the place precisely because of the "strife of the congregation" (Numbers 27:14) and their contention with Moses and God over the lack of water. Moses' failure was specifically to "sanctify" (Hebrew: ืงึธื“ึทืฉื, qadash) God, meaning to treat Him as holy, to revere Him, and to demonstrate His holiness to others. By striking the rock, Moses acted out of his own spirit rather than perfectly reflecting God's holy character and power.

Practical Application

Numbers 27:14 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • The Importance of Exact Obedience: Our walk with God requires not just general adherence but a careful attentiveness to His specific instructions, trusting that His ways are perfect.
  • Representing God Faithfully: As followers of Christ, our actions and attitudes reflect upon God's character to those around us. We are called to "sanctify" Him in all we do, showing His holiness and power to the world.
  • Accountability for All: This verse reminds us that everyone, regardless of their position or past service, is accountable to God. There are consequences for disobedience, and God's standards are unchanging.
  • Learning from Failures: Moses' story is a poignant reminder that even great spiritual giants can stumble. It encourages humility and a constant reliance on God's grace and guidance.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 1:37

    Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither.

  • 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?

  • 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.

  • Deuteronomy 32:52

    Yet thou shalt see the land before [thee]; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.

  • Numbers 20:8

    Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

  • Numbers 20:13

    This [is] the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.

  • Psalms 106:32

    They angered [him] also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:
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