‏ Numbers 20:1-13

The Death of Miriam

1And the people of Israel, the whole congregation, came ainto the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh. And bMiriam died there and was buried there.

The Waters of Meribah

2 cNow there was no water for the congregation. dAnd they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. 3And the people equarreled with Moses and said, “Would that we had perished fwhen our brothers perished before the Lord! 4Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? 5And gwhy have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.” 6Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and hfell on their faces. iAnd the glory of the Lord appeared to them, 7and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 8 jTake the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So kyou shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.” 9And Moses took the staff lfrom before the Lord, as he commanded him.

Moses Strikes the Rock

10Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, mHear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” 11And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, nand water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. 12And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because oyou did not believe in me, pto uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” 13 qThese are the waters of Meribah,
 Meribah means quarreling
where the people of Israel quarreled with the Lord, and through them he showed himself holy.

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