Moses Strikes the Rock at Meribah

In the first month, the congregation of Israel arrived at the Desert of Zin and stayed at Kadesh. While at this location, Miriam died and was buried (Numbers 20:1). The community found themselves without water and gathered in opposition against Moses and Aaron. The people complained, expressing a desire to have died when their brothers fell before the Lord and questioning why the assembly had been brought into the wilderness to die alongside their livestock. They described the location as an evil place lacking grain, figs, vines, and pomegranates, noting specifically that there was no water to drink.

Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell facedown, at which point the glory of the Lord appeared to them (Numbers 20:6). The Lord instructed Moses to take his staff and gather the assembly. Moses and Aaron were commanded to speak to the rock in the presence of the people so that it would pour out its water. Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence as directed. After Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock, Moses addressed them, asking if they must bring water out of the rock for the rebels.

Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, providing drink for the community and their livestock (Numbers 20:11). The Lord then spoke to Moses and Aaron, stating that they did not trust Him enough to honor Him as holy in the sight of the Israelites. The text identifies these waters as the waters of Meribah, noting that the Israelites quarreled with the Lord and that He showed Himself holy among them. The text does not say why Moses chose to strike the rock instead of speaking to it.