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Site in the wilderness of Zin, near Kadesh, where Israel quarreled with God over water and Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it; the name means 'quarreling' and the event cost Moses his entry into the Promised Land
SinaiMeribah, meaning "quarreling," was a site in the wilderness of Zin near Kadesh where Israel complained to Moses and Aaron about the lack of water. God commanded Moses to speak to the rock, but Moses struck it twice in anger — and water still flowed, but his disobedience cost him the right to enter Canaan. The event is recorded in Numbers 20 and referenced throughout Psalms as a warning against hardening one's heart toward God.
Exodus
Water from a Rock and a W in the Desert
Meribah is the name Moses assigns to Rephidim after the water-from-the-rock event, permanently memorializing Israel's quarreling and their challenge to God's presence.
Numbers
The Rock, The Block, and The Goodbye
Meribah is named here as the site of Moses' fatal mistake — the place where he struck instead of spoke, misrepresented God's character, and was barred from entering the Promised Land.
Numbers
Five Sisters Changed the Law
Meribah is the site of Moses' fatal mistake — when he struck the rock in anger instead of speaking to it as God commanded, that single act of disobedience cost him his entry into the Promised Land.
Deuteronomy
When God Said "You Can Look But You Can't Cross"
Meribah is cited here as the backstory explanation for Moses' denied request — his striking the rock instead of speaking to it in Numbers 20 is the specific act that cost him entry into the Promised Land.
Deuteronomy
The Song That Went Too Hard
Meribah is the specific site where Moses' one act of disobedience occurred — striking the rock instead of speaking to it — and God names it explicitly as the reason Moses will die outside Canaan.
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