Meribah-kadesh, a place where Moses disobeyed God by striking the rock to bring forth water (Numbers 20:13, 24; 27:14; Deu.32.51; Psalm 81:7; 106:32; Ezk.47.19; 48:28).
Also known as Meribah-kadesh · strife in Kadesh
Meribah-kadesh, also known as Meribah, was a location in the wilderness where the Israelites quarreled with Moses, and Moses disobeyed God (Numbers 20:13). The people complained about the lack of water, and God instructed Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water. However, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff, and water came out abundantly (Numbers 20:7-11). Because Moses and Aaron did not trust and honor God in the sight of the Israelites, they were not allowed to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12; 27:14; Deu.32.51). The incident at Meribah-kadesh is remembered as a time when the Israelites rebelled against God and Moses (Psalm 81:7; 106:32). In Ezekiel's vision of the future boundaries of Israel, Meribah-kadesh is mentioned as a point on the southern border (Ezk.47.19; 48:28).
Approximate location: 30.688, 34.495 · view on a map · on the Bible atlas
8 verses in 4 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H4809
These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness among them.
“Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will not enter the land that I have given the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah.
for when the congregation contended in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you rebelled against My command to show My holiness in their sight regarding the waters.” Those were the waters of Meribah in Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin.
For at the waters of Meribah-kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you broke faith with Me among the Israelites by failing to treat Me as holy in their presence.
You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
At the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD, and trouble came to Moses because of them.
On the south side it will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, and along the Brook of Egypt to the Great Sea. This will be the southern boundary.
The southern border of Gad will run from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, then along the Brook of Egypt and out to the Great Sea.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.