Meribah

Quarrel or strife. (1.) One of the names given by Moses to the fountain in the desert of Sin, near Rephidim, which issued from the rock in Horeb, which he smote by the divine command, “because of the chiding of the children of Israel” (Ex. 17:1-7). It was also called Massah (q.v.). It was probably in Wady Feiran, near Mount Serbal. (2.) Another fountain having a similar origin in the desert of Zin, near to Kadesh (Num. 27:14). The two places are mentioned together in Deut. 33:8. Some think the one place is called by the two names (Ps. 81:7). In smiting the rock at this place Moses showed the same impatience as the people (Num. 20:10-12). This took place near the close of the wanderings in the desert (Num. 20:1-24; Deut. 32:51).

(strife, contention). In (Exodus 17:7) we read, “he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah,” where the people murmured and the rock was smitten. [For the situation see Rephidim] The name is also given to Kadesh, (Numbers 20:13,24; 27:14; 32:51) (Meribah-kadesh), because there also the people, when in want of water, strove with God.

MER'IBAH (quarrel, strife). The fountain near Rephidim which issued from the rock in Horeb which Moses smote by the divine command; also called "Massah" ("temptation, trial"). Ex 17:1-7; Deut 6:16; Deut 9:22. Wilson and Warren would place this fountain in Wady Feiran, near Mount Serbal; Holland puts it in the pass al- Watiyeh, at the eastern end of Wady es-Sheikh. Another fountain, produced in the same manner and under similar circumstances as the preceding, near Kadesh, in the desert of Zin; also called waters of Meribah and Meribah Kadesh. Deut 33:8; Ps 95:8; Ps 106:32. This miracle occurred near the close of the wanderings of the Hebrews in the desert. Num 20:1-24; Eze 27:14; Deut 32:51; Ps 81:7; Eze 47:19. Some erroneously regard the two as identical, but this view is inconsistent with the scriptural narrative. See Kadesh.

dispute; quarrel

MER'IBAH (quarrel, strife). The fountain near Rephidim which issued from the rock in Horeb which Moses smote by the divine command; also called "Massah" ("temptation, trial"). Ex 17:1-7; Deut 6:16; Deut 9:22. Wilson and Warren would place this fountain in Wady Feiran, near Mount Serbal; Holland puts it in the pass al- Watiyeh, at the eastern end of Wady es-Sheikh. Another fountain, produced in the same manner and under similar circumstances as the preceding, near Kadesh, in the desert of Zin; also called waters of Meribah and Meribah Kadesh. Deut 33:8; Ps 95:8; Ps 106:32. This miracle occurred near the close of the wanderings of the Hebrews in the desert. Num 20:1-24; Eze 27:14; Deut 32:51; Ps 81:7; Eze 47:19. Some erroneously regard the two as identical, but this view is inconsistent with the scriptural narrative. See Kadesh.