God’s Word Translation
Numbers 20:13
13This was the oasis of Meribah [Complaining], where the Israelites complained about the Lord and where he showed them he was holy.
Numbers 20:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he was sanctified in them.
- New International Version (NIV)These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the Lord and where he was proved holy among them.
- English Standard Version (ESV)These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the Lord, and through them he showed himself holy.
- New King James Version (NKJV)This was the water of Meribah, because the children of Israel contended with the Lord, and He was hallowed among them.
Context of Numbers 20:13
11Moses raised his hand and hit the rock twice with the staff. Water came pouring out, and all the people and their animals drank. 12But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “You didn’t trust me! You didn’t show the Israelites how holy I am! So you will not bring this congregation into the land I’m giving them.” This was the oasis of Meribah [Complaining], where the Israelites complained about the Lord and where he showed them he was holy. 14Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. He said, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardships we’ve had. 15Our ancestors went to Egypt, and we lived there for many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors.
Read all of Numbers 20Numbers 20:13 word by word
הֵ֚מָּה מֵ֣י מְרִיבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־רָב֥וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶת־יְהוָ֑ה וַיִּקָּדֵ֖שׁ בָּֽם׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- isהֵ֫מָּהhêm hêmmâh · they(masc.)H1992
- the waterמַיmayim · waterH4325
- of Meribahמְרִיבָהmerîybâh · MeribahH4809
- because the childrenבֵּןbên · son: descendant/peopleH1121
- of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
- stroveרִיבrîyb rûb · to contendH7378
- with the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- and he was sanctifiedקָדַשׁqâdash · to consecrate: consecateH6942
Cross-references for Numbers 20:13
- Deuteronomy 33:8About the tribe of Levi he said, “Your Thummim and Urim belong to your faithful people. You tested your people at Massah. You quarreled with them at the oasis of Meribah.
- Psalms 95:8“Do not be stubborn like ⌞my people were⌟ at Meribah, like the time at Massah in the desert.
- Psalms 106:32They made God angry by the water at Meribah. Things turned out badly for Moses because of what they did,
- Exodus 17:7He named that place Massah [Testing] and Meribah [Complaining] because the Israelites complained and because they tested the Lord, asking, “Is the Lord with us or not?”
- Deuteronomy 32:51This is because both of you were unfaithful to me at the oasis of Meribah at Kadesh in the Desert of Zin. You didn’t show the Israelites how holy I am.
- Isaiah 5:16The Lord of Armies will be honored when he judges. The holy God will show himself to be holy when he does what is right.
- Ezekiel 20:41When I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, I will accept you as if you were a pleasing sacrifice. Through you I will reveal myself as holy to the nations that are watching.
- Ezekiel 36:23I will reveal the holiness of my great name, which has been dishonored by the nations, ⌞the name⌟ that you have dishonored among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, because I will reveal my holiness among you as they watch, declares the Almighty Lord.
- Ezekiel 38:16You will attack my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In the days to come, I will let you attack my land so that nations will know me. I will use you for my holy purpose as they watch.
Commentaries on Numbers 20:13
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13The water of Meribah - i. e. “Strife.” The place is called “Meribah in Kadesh” Numbers 27:14, and “Meribah-Kadesh” Deuteronomy 32:51. to distinguish it from the “Meribah” of Exodus 17:2 ff. And he was sanctified in them - An allusion doubtless to the name “Kadesh” (holy), which though not now bestowed, acquired a new significance from the fact that God here vindicated His own sanctity, punishing Moses and Aaron who had trespassed against it.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13Meribah means “Arguing” or “Quarreling.” As they had earlier at Rephidim(Exodus 17:1–7), the Israelites gave a name that described what happened there. The name pointed more to the event than to the place itself. At Meribah, God showed his holiness through judgment. He disciplined both Aaron and Moses for their sin.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2-132-13. there was no water for the congregation--There was at Kadesh a fountain, En-Mishpat (Ge 14:7), and at the first encampment of the Israelites there was no want of water. It was then either partially dried up by the heat of the season, or had been exhausted by the demands of so vast a multitude.Read the comment
Topics related to Numbers 20:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Numbers 20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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