King James Bible Dictionary

Quarrel or strife.

1. One of the names given by Moses to the fountain in the desert of Sin, near Rephidim, which issued 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 (q.v.). It was probably in Wady Feiran, near Mount Serbal.

2. Another fountain having a similar origin in the desert of Zin, near to Kadesh (Numbers 27:14). The two places are mentioned together in Deuteronomy 33:8. Some think the one place is called by the two names (Psalms 81:7). In smiting the rock at this place Moses showed the same impatience as the people (Numbers 20:10-12). This took place near the close of the wanderings in the desert (Numbers 20:1-24; Deuteronomy 32:51).

dispute; quarrel

1. A place in Rephidim, where Moses struck a rock and brought forth water
Exodus 17:1-7

2. Meribah-kadesh, fountain in the desert of Zin
Numbers 20:13; Numbers 20:24

(strife, contention). In (Exodus 17:7) we read, "he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah," where the people murmured and the rock was smitten. [For the situation see REPHIDIM] The name is also given to Kadesh, (Numbers 20:13,24; 27:14; 32:51) (Meribah-kadesh), because there also the people, when in want of water, strove with God.