Definition and Meaning:
Massah, a Hebrew term meaning "testing" or "trial," is a significant location in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the Israelites' wilderness journey. It is closely associated with the events at Meribah, where the Israelites tested the Lord by questioning His presence and provision.

Biblical References:
Massah is primarily mentioned in the Book of Exodus and the Book of Deuteronomy. In Exodus 17:7 , it is recorded: "He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, 'Is the LORD among us or not?'" This verse highlights the dual naming of the location due to the Israelites' contentious behavior and their testing of God's faithfulness.

In Deuteronomy 6:16 , the Israelites are admonished: "Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah." This command serves as a reminder of the incident and a warning against repeating such behavior.

Historical and Theological Context:
The event at Massah occurred during the early stages of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, as they journeyed through the wilderness toward the Promised Land. The people, having witnessed God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt, soon faced the challenge of scarcity of water. Their response was one of doubt and complaint, questioning God's presence and care for them.

Theologically, Massah represents a critical moment of testing both for the Israelites and for their relationship with God. It underscores the recurring theme of faith and trust in God's provision and guidance. The incident at Massah is often cited as an example of human frailty and the tendency to doubt divine promises in the face of adversity.

Significance in Israel's History:
Massah serves as a cautionary tale within the broader narrative of Israel's history. It is a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and trust in God, even when circumstances appear dire. The event is frequently referenced in later biblical texts as a symbol of rebellion and lack of faith, serving as a lesson for future generations.

Lessons and Applications:
The account of Massah encourages believers to maintain faith and trust in God, especially during times of trial and uncertainty. It highlights the dangers of testing God and the importance of remembering His past faithfulness. The narrative calls for a response of obedience and reliance on God's promises, rather than succumbing to doubt and fear.

Related Concepts:
Massah is often discussed in conjunction with Meribah, as both names are used to describe the same event. The themes of testing, faith, and divine provision are central to understanding the significance of Massah in the biblical narrative. Additionally, the incident is linked to the broader theme of the Israelites' wilderness wanderings and their relationship with God during this formative period.Massah

temptation

Massah

(temptation), a name given to the spot, also called Meribah, where the Israelites tempted Jehovah. (Exodus 16:7; Psalms 95:8,9; Hebrews 3:8)

Trial, temptation, a name given to the place where the Israelites, by their murmuring for want of water, provoked Jehovah to anger against them. It is also called Meribah (Exodus 17:7; Deuteronomy 6:16; Psalm 95:8, 9; Hebrews 3:8). MASSAH AND MERIBAH

mas'-a, mer'-i-ba (maccah umeribhah, "proving and strife"; peirasmos kai loidoresis): These names occur together as applied to one place only in Exodus 17:7; they stand, however, in parallelism in Deuteronomy 33:8 Psalm 95:8. In all other cases they are kept distinct, as belonging to two separate narratives. The conjunction here may be due to conflation of the sources. Of course, it is not impossible that, for the reason stated, the double name was given, although elsewhere (Deuteronomy 6:16; Deuteronomy 9:22) the place is referred to as Massah.

1. First Instance:

This scene is laid in Exodus 17:1 at REPHIDIM (which see) and in 17:6 at HOREB (which see). It is near the beginning of the desert wanderings. In dearth of water the people murmur and complain. Moses, appealing to God, is told what to do. He takes with him the elders of Israel, and smites with his rod the rock on which the Lord stands in Horeb, whereupon water gushes forth, and the people drink. Here Moses alone is God's agent. There is no hint of blame attaching to him. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because of the of the striving of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord (17:7). In some way not indicated, here and at Meribah, God put the Levites to proof (Deuteronomy 33:8).

2. Second Instance:

The second narrative describes what took place at Kadesh (i.e. "Kadesh-barnea") when the desert wanderings were nearly over (Numbers 20:1-13). The flow of water from the famous spring for some reason had ceased. In their distress the people became impatient and petulant. At the door of the tent of meeting Moses and Aaron received the Lord's instructions. In his speech of remonstrance to the people Moses seemed to glorify himself and his brother; and instead of speaking to the rock as God had commanded, he struck it twice with his rod. The flow of water was at once restored; but Moses and Aaron were heavily punished because they did not sanctify God in the eyes of the children of Israel. The "Waters of Meribah" was the name given to this scene of strife. The incident is referred to in Numbers 20:24, and Deuteronomy 32:51 (merobhath qadhesh, the King James Version "Meribah-Kadesh," the Revised Version (British and American) "Meribah of Kadesh"). In Psalm 81:7 God appears as having tested Israel here. The sin of Israel and the ensuing calamity to Moses are alluded to in Psalm 106:32.

The place appears in Ezekiel 47:19; Ezekiel 48:28, as on the southern border of the land of Israel, in the former as "Meriboth-kadesh," in the latter as "Meribath-kadesh" (Meriboth = plural Meribath = "construct singular") where the position indicated is that of `Ain Qadis, "Kadesh-barnea."

In Deuteronomy 33:2, by a slight emendation of the text we might read meribhoth qadhesh for meribhebhoth qodhesh. This gives a preferable sense.

W. Ewing

4532. Massah -- a place in the desert where Isr. rebelled
... 4531b, 4532. Massah. 4533 . a place in the desert where Isr. rebelled.
Transliteration: Massah Phonetic Spelling: (mas-saw') Short Definition: Massah. ...
/hebrew/4532.htm - 6k

4531b. massah -- a test, trial, proving
... 4531a, 4531b. massah. 4532 . a test, trial, proving. Transliteration: massah
Short Definition: trials. ... 4531a, 4531b. massah. 4532 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4531b.htm - 5k

4531a. massah -- despair
... 4531, 4531a. massah. 4531b . despair. Transliteration: massah Short Definition:
despair. ... 4531, 4531a. massah. 4531b . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4531a.htm - 5k

Elucidations.
... less for the Holy One (ie in the Temp. upon the Pinnacle) than for the
Israelites at Massah. And this is perhaps the reason of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/of patience/elucidations.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <. ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Massah (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MASSAH AND MERIBAH. ... This gives a preferable sense.
W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance Massah (5 Occurrences). ...
/m/massah.htm - 12k

Meribah (11 Occurrences)
... from the rock in Horeb, which he smote by the divine command, "because of the chiding
of the children of Israel" (Exodus 17:1-7). It was also called Massah (qv ...
/m/meribah.htm - 14k

Mer'ibah (8 Occurrences)
... Exodus 17:7 And the name of the place was called Massah, and Meribah, because of
the striving of the children of Israel, and because they tried the LORD, saying ...
/m/mer'ibah.htm - 8k

Tested (80 Occurrences)
... Exodus 17:7 He called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because the children
of Israel quarreled, and because they tested Yahweh, saying, "Is Yahweh ...
/t/tested.htm - 28k

Tempted (25 Occurrences)
... Exodus 17:7 And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of
the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying ...
/t/tempted.htm - 13k

Tried (96 Occurrences)
... Exodus 17:7 And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of
the striving of the children of Israel, and because they tempted Jehovah, saying ...
/t/tried.htm - 33k

Test (105 Occurrences)
... Exodus 17:7 He called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because the children
of Israel quarreled, and because they tested Yahweh, saying, "Is Yahweh ...
/t/test.htm - 35k

Massed (6 Occurrences)

/m/massed.htm - 8k

Quarrel (22 Occurrences)
... Exodus 17:7 He called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because the children
of Israel quarreled, and because they tested Yahweh, saying, "Is Yahweh ...
/q/quarrel.htm - 15k

Quarreled (8 Occurrences)
... Exodus 17:7 He called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because the children
of Israel quarreled, and because they tested Yahweh, saying, "Is Yahweh ...
/q/quarreled.htm - 8k

What is the significance of Meribah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to test God? | GotQuestions.org

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