Meribath is a term associated with significant events in the history of the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, as recorded in the Old Testament. The name "Meribath" is closely related to the Hebrew word "Meribah," which means "quarreling" or "contention." It is often used to describe places where the Israelites quarreled with God due to a lack of water, leading to divine intervention and miraculous provision.

Biblical References:

1. Meribah at Rephidim:
The first instance of Meribah is found in Exodus 17:1-7. The Israelites, having departed from the wilderness of Sin, camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, demanding water. Moses cried out to the LORD, who instructed him to strike the rock at Horeb with his staff. When Moses did so, water gushed out for the people to drink. This place was named Massah (testing) and Meribah (quarreling) because of the Israelites' contention and their testing of the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?" (Exodus 17:7).

2. Meribah at Kadesh:
Another significant event occurred at Kadesh in the Desert of Zin, as recorded in Numbers 20:1-13. Here, the Israelites again found themselves without water, and they assembled against Moses and Aaron. The LORD instructed Moses to take the staff and speak to the rock before the assembly to bring forth water. However, Moses, in frustration, struck the rock twice with his staff. Water flowed abundantly, but because Moses and Aaron did not trust in the LORD enough to honor Him as holy before the Israelites, they were not permitted to lead the assembly into the Promised Land. This place was also called the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed Himself holy among them (Numbers 20:13).

Theological Significance:

Meribath, or Meribah, serves as a poignant reminder of the Israelites' recurring struggle with faith and obedience during their journey to the Promised Land. These events highlight the human tendency to doubt and rebel against divine provision and authority, even in the face of miraculous interventions. The incidents at Meribah underscore the importance of faith, obedience, and the recognition of God's holiness.

The Apostle Paul references these events in 1 Corinthians 10:4, where he speaks of the spiritual rock that accompanied the Israelites, identifying it as Christ. This typological interpretation emphasizes the prefiguration of Christ as the source of spiritual sustenance and the living water that quenches the deepest thirst of humanity.

Lessons for Believers:

The accounts of Meribath serve as a cautionary tale for believers, urging them to trust in God's provision and to approach Him with reverence and faith. They remind Christians of the importance of obedience and the consequences of failing to honor God as holy. The events at Meribah also point to the sufficiency of Christ, the true Rock, who provides for the spiritual needs of His people.4809. Meribah -- "place of strife," two places in the desert
... Word Origin from rib Definition "place of strife," two places in the desert NASB
Word Usage Meribah (8), Meribah-kadesh* (1), Meribath-kadesh* (2). Meribah. ...
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6946. Qadesh -- "sacred," a place in the desert
... Word Origin from the same as qodesh Definition "sacred," a place in the desert NASB
Word Usage Kadesh (15), Meribah-kadesh* (1), Meribath-kadesh* (2). Kadesh. ...
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Meribath (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Meribath (3 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 32:51 Because
of your sin against me before the children of Israel ...
/m/meribath.htm - 7k

Meribath-kadesh (4 Occurrences)
Meribath-kadesh. Meribathkadesh, Meribath-kadesh. Meribath-ka'desh . Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia MERIBATH-KADESH; MERIBOTH-KADESH. ...
/m/meribath-kadesh.htm - 8k

Meribath-ka'desh (2 Occurrences)
Meribath-ka'desh. Meribath-kadesh, Meribath-ka'desh. Mer'i-bath-ka'desh .
Multi-Version Concordance Meribath-ka'desh (2 Occurrences). ...
/m/meribath-ka'desh.htm - 7k

Massah (5 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
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Mer'i-bath-ka'desh (1 Occurrence)
Mer'i-bath-ka'desh. Meribath-ka'desh, Mer'i-bath-ka'desh. Meribbaal .
Multi-Version Concordance ... (See RSV). Meribath-ka'desh, Mer'i-bath-ka'desh. Meribbaal ...
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Meribah (11 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/m/meribah.htm - 14k

Meribathkadesh
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia MERIBATH-KADESH; MERIBOTH-KADESH.
mer'-i-bath-ka'-desh, mer'-i-both-k (Ezekiel 48:28; Ezekiel 47 ...
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Kadesh (30 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 33:2 He said, The Lord came from Sinai, dawning on them from Seir; shining
out from Mount Paran, coming from Meribath Kadesh: from his right hand ...
/k/kadesh.htm - 21k

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)
... There the people rebelled because of the want of water, and Moses brought water
from the rock (Numbers 20:2); it was called therefore Meribath-or Meriboth ...
/k/kadeshbarnea.htm - 11k

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)
... There the people rebelled because of the want of water, and Moses brought water
from the rock (Numbers 20:2); it was called therefore Meribath-or Meriboth ...
/k/kadesh-barnea.htm - 12k

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