Original Word: מְרִיבָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Meribah
Pronunciation: meh-ree-BAH
Phonetic Spelling: (mer-ee-baw')
Definition: Meribah
Meaning: Meribah

Word Origin: Derived from the Hebrew root רִיב (riv), meaning "to strive" or "to contend."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent for Meribah, but the concept of "strife" or "contention" can be related to Greek words like ἔρις (eris), meaning "strife" or "contention."

Usage: Meribah means "quarreling" or "strife." It is used in the Bible to refer to two specific locations where the Israelites quarreled with God due to a lack of water. These incidents highlight moments of testing and contention between the Israelites and God during their wilderness journey.

Cultural and Historical Background: The name Meribah is associated with two significant events during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. The first Meribah is located at Rephidim, where the Israelites complained about the lack of water, and Moses struck the rock to bring forth water (Exodus 17:1-7). The second Meribah is at Kadesh in the Desert of Zin, where Moses, in frustration, struck the rock twice instead of speaking to it as God commanded, leading to his prohibition from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 20:1-13). These events underscore the recurring theme of Israel's lack of faith and obedience, as well as God's provision and holiness.

Word Origin
from rib
Definition
"place of strife," two places in the desert
NASB Translation
Meribah (8), Meribah-kadesh* (1), Meribath-kadesh* (2).

II. מְרִיבָה proper name, of a location (place of strife); —

1 at Rephidim, ׳מַסָּה וּמ Exodus 17:7 (J), Λοιδόρησις.

2 at Kadesh, especially in מֵי מְרִיבָה water of M. (ᵐ5 ὕδωρ ἁντιλογίας) Deuteronomy 33:8; Numbers 20:13 (P) Psalm 81:8; Psalm 106:32, also (ᵐ5 ὕδωρ τῆς λοιδορίας ᵐ5^L as above) Numbers 20:24 (P); ׳מ construct in מֵי מְרִיבַת קָדֵשׁ (ᵐ5 ὕδωρ ἁντιλογίας [ἑν] Καδης) Numbers 27:14; Deuteronomy 32:51 (both P), and (ᵐ5 ὕδωρ βαριμωθ Καδης Ezekiel 48:28; so מֵי מְרִיבוֺת ׳ק Ezekiel 47:19 (ᵐ5 ὕδωρ Μαριμωθ Καδης); Deuteronomy 33:2 see קֹדֶשׁ near the end; מְרִיבָה along, only Psalm 95:8 (παραπικρασμός; "" יוֺם מַסָּה).

Meribah

The same as mriybah; Meribah, the name of two places in the Desert -- Meribah.

see HEBREW mriybah

וּמְרִיבָ֑ה ומריבה מְרִיבַ֥ת מְרִיבָ֔ה מְרִיבָ֣ה מְרִיבָֽה׃ מריבה מריבה׃ מריבת mə·rî·ḇāh mə·rî·ḇaṯ mərîḇāh mərîḇaṯ meriVah meriVat ū·mə·rî·ḇāh ūmərîḇāh umeriVahInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts