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

NUMBERS 20:13KJV
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Numbers 20:13 (KJV)

What does Numbers 20:13 mean?

Numbers 20:13 gives a lasting name to the water at a place where the Israelites argued with the LORD. The verse also says that the LORD was shown to be holy among them: the event made clear that he was set apart from the people who challenged him.

The verse is the narrator’s closing comment on the incident, after the LORD’s words to Moses and Aaron in verse 12. “In them” points to the people among whom the LORD’s holiness was displayed. The name Meribah preserves the memory of their dispute.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 20:13

  • “Meribah” — מְרִיבָה (Merivah): The name means “quarreling” or “strife.” Its meaning links the water’s name to the people’s dispute.
  • “strove” — רִיב (riv): The word carries the sense of arguing or contending. Here it describes the Israelites’ dispute with the LORD, not merely a disagreement among themselves.
  • “sanctified” — קָדַשׁ (qadash): The word concerns being holy or set apart. In this sentence, the LORD is the one whose holiness is made evident among the people.

Why Numbers 20:13 matters

  • The water’s name identifies the conflict as a dispute with the LORD. Earlier, the people complain to Moses and Aaron, but verse 13 describes whom their quarrel was ultimately against.
  • The event involves both the people and their leaders. In verse 12, the LORD addresses Moses and Aaron about their failure to honor him as holy; verse 13 then describes his holiness being made evident among the Israelites.

Where else these words appear

“Meribah” Hebrew H4809 · used in 9 verses

  • 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?
  • 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:

“is” Hebrew H1992 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
  • Numbers 13:3 And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.
  • Psalms 38:10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

“strove” Hebrew H7378 · used in 59 verses

  • Genesis 26:20 And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.
  • Nehemiah 13:17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
  • Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.