Numbers 20:13 - Exposition

This is the water of Meribah, or "water of strife." Septuagint, ὕδωρ ἀντιλογίας . The word "Meribah" appears, however, to form part of a proper name in Deuteronomy 32:51 . A similar use of the word is recorded in Exodus 17:7 . That the same name was more or less definitely attached to these two scenes is only another way of saying that there was a strong similarity between the two sets of associations. At the same time the differences are so marked in the narratives that they leave very distinct impressions upon the mind. And he was sanctified in them, i.e; he revealed there his holiness and power, and put to silence their evil murmurings against him. He was sanctified in them all the more abundantly because Moses and Aaron failed to sanctify him in the eyes of the people; but what they failed to do he brought to pass without their agency.