Numbers 20:13 Meaning Explained

Numbers 20:13

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

English Standard Version (ESV)

Even though the people quarreled with the LORD, the place is called "Meribah" (strife) precisely because God demonstrated His holiness among them. It’s a powerful reminder that God's character is revealed through both His judgment on sin and His provision, even amidst human rebellion.

What Numbers 20:13 means

After Miriam's death and the people's outcry for water, Moses and Aaron, though initially seeking God's glory, ultimately failed to trust and obey Him fully when striking the rock. This act of disobedience, prompted by the people's rebellion and their own frustration, led to God's judgment on Moses and Aaron, preventing them from entering the Promised Land.

The Persistent Striving of Israel

Water was scarce, but the people's complaints were abundant. Why did they pick a fight with God, even after all He had done?

The Israelites' complaint at Meribah wasn't just about thirst; it was a deep-seated rebellion. They questioned God's goodness and faithfulness, forgetting His past miracles. Their focus on what they lacked blinded them to God's provision and power.

Recalling Past Murmurs: This isn't the first time the Israelites complained about water (Exodus 17). Their repeated grumbling shows a pattern of unbelief and ingratitude.
Blaming God: Instead of praying or trusting, they accused God of bringing them to a 'desperate place' to die. This attitude shifts blame and forfeits their right to God's help.
Disregarding Miracles: They had seen God bring water from a rock before, yet they still doubted His ability to provide.

God's Holiness Vindicated

Despite the people's rebellion and even Moses' and Aaron's failure, God's holiness was on full display.

The name 'Meribah' (strife) marks a pivotal moment where God's character was made undeniably clear.

God's Name Honored: The text states God 'showed himself holy.' This means He vindicated His own character – His justice, His power, and His faithfulness, even amidst human sin.
Consequences for Disobedience: God's holiness also means He cannot overlook sin. Moses and Aaron were barred from the Promised Land because they failed to sanctify God (attribute holiness to Him) in the eyes of the people by striking the rock instead of speaking to it as commanded.
Mercy in Judgment: Even in judgment, God provided water abundantly for the people and their animals. His holiness doesn't negate His mercy, but it does demand righteousness.

Understand the original words

Original language

Meribahמְרִיבָה

Meribah · Hebrew Proper Noun

A word deriving from 'rib' (to strive or contend); it signifies a place of contention, strife, or finding fault, often used to describe Israel's complaining against God's provision.

Historical context

Written: Likely around the 13th century BC, during the Israelites' 40-year wandering in the wilderness.
Author: Traditionally understood as Moses, though some scholars suggest a later compilation.
Location: The wilderness of Zin, specifically in Kadesh.
Genre: Narrative with poetic elements, featuring direct dialogue and divine pronouncements.

Historical background

This event, occurring late in the Israelites' 40-year wilderness journey, highlights a crucial moment where God demonstrates His holiness and faithfulness even in the face of His chosen leaders' disobedience and the people's persistent rebellion.

c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites are liberated from slavery in Egypt. Shortly after, they encounter a water crisis at Rephidim, where Moses strikes a rock and God provides water, naming the place Massah and Meribah.
c. 1445 BC
Rebellion at Kadesh
The Israelites arrive at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. Miriam, Moses and Aaron's sister, dies and is buried there. A severe drought leads the people to rebel against Moses and Aaron.
c. 1445 BC— this verse
Second Water Miracle
God instructs Moses to speak to a rock to bring forth water for the people. Moses, in anger, strikes the rock twice with his staff instead of speaking to it.
c. 1445 BC
God's Judgment on Moses and Aaron
Because they did not believe God or treat Him as holy in the eyes of the people, Moses and Aaron are told they will not enter the Promised Land.

Key themes

01God's holiness revealed
02Human rebellion and sin
03Divine provision despite failure

Cross-references

Exodus 17:1-7

This earlier instance at Rephidim shows a similar crisis over water and the people's struggle with Moses, highlighting a recurring pattern of God providing for His people's needs through His chosen leaders.

Psalm 106:32-33

This psalm recounts the event, emphasizing how the people's provocation led Moses to speak rashly, showing how even leaders can be affected by the people's sin and how God's holiness is displayed through His judgment on sin.

1 Corinthians 10:1-4

Paul explicitly links this event to spiritual realities, calling the rock Christ and the water 'spiritual drink,' thus connecting the physical provision to Christ's sustaining work for believers.

Deuteronomy 32:51

This passage explicitly links the waters of Meribah to Kadesh and the specific sin of Moses and Aaron, reinforcing that this event was a pivotal moment where God's holiness was demonstrated through their punishment.

Scholarly commentary

Numbers 20:1-13: "Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there."

And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there ally water to drink.

Et quare ascendere fecistis nos ex AEgypto, ut venire faceretis nos ad locum malum istum, n…

calvin

Numbers 20:13: "This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them."

(13) This is the water of Meribah.— i.e., of strife. (See Exodus 17:7 , and Note; also Numbers 27:14 , where the words “in Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin,” are added to distinguish the latter from the earlier miracle.) In Deuteronomy 32:51 the waters are spoken of as those of “Meribah of Kadesh.” And he was sanctified in them.—The reference in the words in them se…
ellicott

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What Numbers 20:13 means

Historical context

Written: Likely around the 13th century BC, during the Israelites' 40-year wandering in the wilderness.
Author: Traditionally understood as Moses, though some scholars suggest a later compilation.
Location: The wilderness of Zin, specifically in Kadesh.
Genre: Narrative with poetic elements, featuring direct dialogue and divine pronouncements.

Historical background

c. 1446 BC

Exodus from Egypt

The Israelites are liberated from slavery in Egypt. Shortly after, they encounter a water crisis at Rephidim, where Moses strikes a rock and God provides water, naming the place Massah and Meribah.

c. 1445 BC

Rebellion at Kadesh

The Israelites arrive at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. Miriam, Moses and Aaron's sister, dies and is buried there. A severe drought leads the people to rebel against Moses and Aaron.

c. 1445 BC— this verse

Second Water Miracle

God instructs Moses to speak to a rock to bring forth water for the people. Moses, in anger, strikes the rock twice with his staff instead of speaking to it.