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 17:7KJV
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Exodus 17:7 (KJV)

What does Exodus 17:7 mean?

Exodus 17:7 describes how Moses named the place "Massah" and "Meribah" because the Israelites argued and tested the LORD by questioning whether He was really with them. The verse marks a moment when the people's doubt and complaints led to the place being remembered for their challenge to God's presence.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites after they quarreled about a lack of water in the wilderness. The names "Massah" (meaning "testing") and "Meribah" (meaning "quarreling") reflect the people's attitude toward God at that spot. The verse highlights the tension between the Israelites and Moses, and their struggle to trust that God was caring for them during their journey.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 17:7

  • מַסָּה (Massah, H4532): This name means "testing" or "trial." It points to the Israelites' act of testing or trying God's patience and faithfulness.
  • מְרִיבָה (Meribah, H4809): This name means "quarreling" or "strife." It captures the argument or dispute the people had with Moses and, by extension, with God.
  • נָסָה (nasah, H5254): The word translated "tempted" means to test or try. Here, it shows the seriousness of the Israelites' doubt, as they were not just asking questions but challenging God's presence and promises.

Why Exodus 17:7 matters

  • Exodus 17:7 clarifies that the Israelites' complaints were not just about physical needs but about their trust in God’s presence and care.
  • The verse explains why the place received its names, helping readers connect the physical location to the spiritual lesson about faith and doubt.
  • This moment sets a pattern seen elsewhere in the Bible, where Israel’s struggles in the wilderness are remembered as warnings about testing God rather than trusting Him.

Where else these words appear

“Massah” Hebrew H4532 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 6:16 Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
  • Deuteronomy 9:22 And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibrothhattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath.
  • 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;

“Meribah” Hebrew H4809 · used in 9 verses

  • Numbers 20:13 This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.
  • 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.
  • Psalms 106:32 They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:

“tempted” Hebrew H5254 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
  • Deuteronomy 28:56 The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,
  • Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

“chiding” Hebrew H7379 · used in 61 verses

  • Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
  • Job 31:35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.
  • Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.