Numbers 20 13

Numbers 20:13 kjv

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

Numbers 20:13 nkjv

This was the water of Meribah, because the children of Israel contended with the LORD, and He was hallowed among them.

Numbers 20:13 niv

These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD and where he was proved holy among them.

Numbers 20:13 esv

These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the LORD, and through them he showed himself holy.

Numbers 20:13 nlt

This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means "arguing") because there the people of Israel argued with the LORD, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them.

Numbers 20 verses

Numbers 20 13 Meaning

Numbers 20:13 serves as the theological conclusion and divine rationale for the events at the waters of Meribah, particularly the judgment pronounced upon Moses and Aaron. It states that these were the "waters of Meribah" because the people of Israel contended with the Lord, and through this contention—specifically, the disobedience of Moses—God displayed His holiness. The verse emphasizes God's absolute righteousness and His expectation that even His chosen leaders would treat Him as holy before the eyes of the people, especially during moments of popular rebellion. It reveals that God's character will be vindicated and glorified, even in judgment, underscoring His distinctness and ultimate authority.

Numbers 20 13 Context

Numbers chapter 20 describes Israel's journey near the end of their forty years in the wilderness. It opens with the death of Miriam, highlighting the passage of the first generation. The immediate crisis is a lack of water at Kadesh, leading the people to again complain vehemently against Moses and Aaron, questioning why they were brought out of Egypt to die in the wilderness. In response, God instructs Moses to take his staff and speak to the rock to bring forth water. However, Moses, perhaps out of frustration or a desire to exert his own authority, instead strikes the rock twice. While water gushes forth, God condemns Moses and Aaron for their lack of faith and failure to sanctify Him in the eyes of the people. Verse 13 directly concludes this pivotal episode by naming the place "Meribah" and articulating God's divine purpose for the event: a display of His holiness through their actions and His subsequent judgment.

Numbers 20 13 Word analysis

• These: Refers to the particular waters that emerged from the rock in this specific incident.
• are: Simple statement of identification and attribution.
• the waters: (מֵי - mei) – A plural form, indicating the abundant flow of water. It emphasizes the physical, life-sustaining provision by God.
• of Meribah: (מְרִיבָה - Meribah) – Transliteration of the Hebrew, meaning "quarreling," "strife," or "contention." This name signifies the cause for the location's designation, linking it intrinsically to Israel's rebellion. The name functions as a perpetual reminder of the people's sinful challenging of God's authority and provision.
• because: (עַל אֲשֶׁר - al asher) – Introduces the reason or ground for the designation of "Meribah" and for God's action. It clearly establishes a cause-and-effect relationship.
• the people of Israel: Refers to the entire complaining congregation.
• quarreled: (רָבוּ - ravu from רִיב - riv) – This verb means to "strive," "contend," or "quarrel," indicating a formal accusation or judicial dispute against someone. Here, it signifies their contentious grumbling against the Lord and His appointed leaders, implicitly challenging His authority and faithfulness.
• with the Lord: (אֶת־יְהוָה - et YHWH) – Directly states that their quarrel was not merely with Moses but primarily directed at God Himself, using His sacred covenant name (YHWH). This elevates the severity of their rebellion, making it an offense against divine majesty.
• and through them: (וַיִּקָּדֵשׁ בָּם - va-yikkadesh bam) – The preposition bam (בָּם) literally means "in them," "among them," or "by them." It signifies that God's holiness was manifested within the event itself, through the actions and consequences experienced by both the people and Moses. It can imply God making Himself known among them or demonstrating His holiness on account of or through what transpired.
• he showed his holiness: (וַיִּקָּדֵשׁ - va-yikkadesh) – A Nifal stem verb, typically meaning "to show oneself holy," "to be sanctified," or "to demonstrate holiness." It indicates God actively manifesting His sacred, distinct, and morally pure nature. God, by judging Moses' failure to represent Him properly, showed He would not allow His name to be dishonored, even by His closest servants. This active demonstration was a divine necessity for His glory to be properly acknowledged by the Israelites.

Word-groups analysis:

• "These are the waters of Meribah": Establishes the specific location's identity and its naming principle, acting as an epitaph for the significant event.
• "because the people of Israel quarreled with the Lord": Directly attributes the cause of the "Meribah" naming to the Israelite's direct confrontation with YHWH. This phrase highlights human rebellion as the trigger for divine intervention.
• "and through them he showed his holiness": This is the ultimate theological purpose. It signifies God's vindication of His own holy character. His judgment on Moses, even while providing water, was necessary to publicly declare His sacredness, demanding reverence from all, especially His leaders, making the very place of rebellion a witness to His purity.

Numbers 20 13 Bonus section

• Two Meribah Incidents: While often conflated, there are two distinct "Meribah" incidents in the wilderness narrative: one in Exod 17:1-7 at Rephidim, where Moses was commanded to strike the rock; and this one in Num 20:1-13 at Kadesh, where Moses was commanded to speak to the rock. The repetition highlights a recurring pattern of Israel's contention but also distinct divine commands.
• The Nature of Moses' Sin: The "unbelief" of Moses (Num 20:12) was multifaceted. It likely included: impatience and frustration with the people (evidenced by his words "you rebels"); striking the rock instead of speaking, which might have conveyed self-reliance or undermined the divine power of the spoken word; and thus, failing to "uphold" or "sanctify" God (Num 20:12) as holy before the eyes of the people. He did not demonstrate God's unique authority as the One whose word alone commands creation.
• The Theological Purpose: God could have merely provided water. The emphasis on His holiness (yikkadesh bam) demonstrates that the purpose transcended physical provision. It was a theophany (a manifestation of God) showing that His honor cannot be trifled with, and His character requires absolute reverence from His people and especially from those representing Him. This set a critical precedent for all future leadership within Israel.

Numbers 20 13 Commentary

Numbers 20:13 serves as a succinct divine commentary on the Meribah incident, highlighting two primary truths: human rebellion and divine holiness. The people's "quarreling" (מְרִיבָה) was a fundamental breach of covenant faithfulness, demonstrating a lack of trust in God's provision. They repeatedly challenged God's authority and good intentions, revealing hearts prone to doubt. Crucially, however, the verse shifts focus from human failure to God's unwavering character. Despite the widespread sin, God ensured His "holiness" (קָדַשׁ) was fully revealed. This revelation occurred not just in the miraculous provision of water, but more profoundly in the public judgment of Moses and Aaron. Moses' action of striking the rock, rather than speaking to it as commanded (Num 20:8), failed to present God as majestic and sovereign, implying that the miracle was due to human power rather than God's simple word. Therefore, God's holiness required Him to hold even His esteemed leaders to the highest standard, demonstrating that He is distinct, transcendent, and demands complete reverence from all. This incident at Meribah teaches that God's glory must always be preeminent, and His holy name must be exalted by His servants. For practical usage, it underscores that disobedience, even from spiritual leaders, has consequences and that God's holiness requires strict obedience and reverence. It warns against assuming that God's grace negates the need for faithfulness, even when faced with extreme provocation.