the same as מְרִיבָה; Meribah, the name of two places in the Desert; Meribah.
Transliteration:Mᵉrîybâh
Pronunciation:mer-ee-baw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word Mᵉrîybâh (`{{H4809}}`) is primarily a proper noun, designating specific geographical locations in the wilderness narrative. Its meaning is directly derived from the common Hebrew noun mᵉrîybâh (`{{H4808}}`), which signifies "strife," "contention," "quarrel," or "dispute." Thus, the name "Meribah" inherently conveys the meaning "Place of Strife" or "Place of Contention." Its semantic range is limited to these specific sites, acting as a memorial to the events that transpired there.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Mᵉrîybâh (`{{H4809}}`) is associated with two distinct, yet thematically similar, locations in the wilderness journey of the Israelites, both marking instances of the people's contention with God and Moses over the lack of water.
1. **Meribah at Rephidim:** The first occurrence is recorded in [[Exodus 17:7]]. Here, the Israelites "quarreled" (from the root rîyb, `{{H7378}}`) with Moses because there was no water to drink. Moses cried out to the Lord, who instructed him to strike the rock at Horeb, from which water miraculously flowed. The place was then named "Massah" (meaning "testing") and "Meribah" (meaning "quarreling" or "strife") as a perpetual reminder of how the Israelites tested the Lord and contended with Him. This event highlights the people's immediate lack of trust despite God's recent deliverance from Egypt.
2. **Meribah at Kadesh:** The second significant occurrence, often referred to as "the waters of Meribah" or "Meribah-Kadesh," is found in [[Numbers 20:1-13]]. After nearly forty years in the wilderness, the Israelites again contended with Moses and Aaron over the lack of water. God commanded Moses to *speak* to the rock to bring forth water. However, in his frustration and anger, Moses struck the rock twice. While water did flow, Moses and Aaron were chastised by God for their disobedience and for failing to "sanctify" Him in the eyes of the people. Consequently, they were forbidden from entering the Promised Land ([[Numbers 20:12]], [[Numbers 20:24]], [[Deuteronomy 32:51]]). This incident is also referenced in [[Psalm 106:32]].
These two occurrences of "Meribah" underscore a recurring pattern of Israel's unfaithfulness, grumbling, and contentious spirit throughout their wilderness wanderings, despite God's consistent provision and presence.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H4808}}` מְרִיבָה (mᵉrîybâh):** This is the common noun from which the proper noun Mᵉrîybâh (`{{H4809}}`) is derived. It directly means "strife," "contention," or "quarrel," providing the conceptual foundation for the place name.
* **`{{H7378}}` רִיב (rîyb):** The verbal root meaning "to strive," "to contend," or "to quarrel." This verb is frequently used in the narratives describing the events at Meribah, explicitly stating that the people "quarreled" or "contended" with Moses and the Lord.
* **`{{H4532}}` מַסָּה (Massah):** Often paired with Meribah, particularly in [[Exodus 17:7]]. Massah means "testing" or "proving." The combined names "Massah and Meribah" powerfully encapsulate the Israelites' actions: they tested God's presence and provision, and they contended with Him.
* **Water from the Rock:** This motif is central to both Meribah narratives, symbolizing God's miraculous provision in the desert and His ability to bring life from an unlikely source.
* **Grumbling and Rebellion:** The events at Meribah are prime examples of the broader theme of Israel's repeated complaints, disobedience, and rebellion against divine authority during their wilderness journey.
### Theological Significance
The name Mᵉrîybâh (`{{H4809}}`) carries profound theological significance, serving as a powerful reminder of several key biblical truths:
* **Human Sinfulness and Unbelief:** Meribah stands as a stark testament to the inherent sinfulness of humanity and its propensity for unbelief, even in the face of overwhelming divine evidence and provision. The Israelites' repeated contention demonstrates their failure to trust God's faithfulness and their tendency to fall back into grumbling and rebellion.
* **God's Patience and Provision:** Despite Israel's contentious spirit and lack of faith, God consistently demonstrated His enduring patience, compassion, and faithfulness by providing for their needs, including miraculous water from the rock. This highlights His sovereign care and covenant loyalty even amidst human failure.
* **Consequences of Disobedience, Even for Leaders:** The incident at Meribah-Kadesh (Numbers 20) is particularly poignant as it reveals the severe consequences of disobedience, even for revered leaders like Moses and Aaron. Their failure to obey God's precise instructions (to speak to the rock) and their display of impatience resulted in their exclusion from the Promised Land, emphasizing the high standard of holiness and obedience required of those who represent God.
* **A Warning and a Lesson:** Meribah serves as a timeless warning against testing God, grumbling against His provisions, and failing to trust in His sovereignty. It is a cautionary tale for all generations, urging believers to learn from the mistakes of the past and to cultivate a spirit of faith and obedience.
* **Christological Foreshadowing:** In Christian theology, the rock from which water flowed is often interpreted as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate source of "living water" ([[John 7:37-38]]). As [[1 Corinthians 10:4]] states, "they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ." The striking of the rock (once) foreshadows Christ's singular sacrifice on the cross, while Moses striking it twice at Meribah-Kadesh can be seen as a failure to recognize the sufficiency and uniqueness of that one, perfect sacrifice.
### Summary
Mᵉrîybâh (`{{H4809}}`) is a proper noun referring to two distinct "Places of Strife" in the Israelite wilderness journey. Both sites are named for the contentious quarrels that occurred there between the Israelites and God/Moses over the lack of water. The first, at Rephidim ([[Exodus 17:7]]), led to the naming of the place "Massah and Meribah." The second, at Kadesh ([[Numbers 20:1-13]]), was the scene of Moses' fateful act of striking the rock, which resulted in him and Aaron being barred from the Promised Land. Derived from the common noun mᵉrîybâh (`{{H4808}}`), meaning "strife," and the verbal root rîyb (`{{H7378}}`), "to contend," Meribah encapsulates the recurring theme of Israel's unbelief and rebellion. Theologically, it underscores human sinfulness, God's enduring patience and provision, and the serious consequences of disobedience, serving as a powerful and enduring lesson for all who seek to walk in faith.
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