Meribah (of Kadesh)

Meribah-kadesh, a place where Moses disobeyed God by striking the rock to bring forth water (Numbers 20:13).

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).

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).