Numbers 20:13 Meaning and Explanation
“This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The place is named Meribah because the people contended with God and He was sanctified through it.
The Context of Numbers 20:13
The place is named Meribah as a memorial of the people's contention and God's holiness.
What Does Numbers 20:13 Mean?
The spring is named Meribah ('quarreling' or 'striving'), commemorating the people's contention with the Lord. Despite their rebellion, God remained holy—'sanctified in them'—meaning His holiness was revealed and established even through their faithlessness. The place becomes a lasting memorial of both human failure and divine faithfulness.
The name serves as a warning and a witness. Whenever Meribah is mentioned, it recalls both the people's trust crisis and God's commitment to providing for them. The dual narrative—human rebellion and divine holiness—is woven into geography itself.
Numbers 20:13 in the Original Language
strove (רִיב), 'rib' — to contend, dispute, or quarrel; the root of 'Meribah.'
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 20:13
What does Numbers 20:13 mean?
The place is named Meribah because the people contended with God and He was sanctified through it.
What is the context of Numbers 20:13?
The place is named Meribah as a memorial of the people's contention and God's holiness.