Deuteronomy 32:51
Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
עַל֩
H5921
עַל֩
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מְעַלְתֶּ֜ם
Because ye trespassed
H4603
מְעַלְתֶּ֜ם
Because ye trespassed
Strong's:
H4603
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., treacherously
בְּת֖וֹךְ
against me among
H8432
בְּת֖וֹךְ
against me among
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
5 of 20
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
בְּנֵ֥י
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בְּמֵֽי
at the waters
H4325
בְּמֵֽי
at the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
8 of 20
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
מִדְבַּר
in the wilderness
H4057
מִדְבַּר
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
11 of 20
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
עַ֣ל
H5921
עַ֣ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
קִדַּשְׁתֶּם֙
because ye sanctified
H6942
קִדַּשְׁתֶּם֙
because ye sanctified
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
16 of 20
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
אוֹתִ֔י
H853
אוֹתִ֔י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּת֖וֹךְ
against me among
H8432
בְּת֖וֹךְ
against me among
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
18 of 20
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
Cross References
Numbers 27:14For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.Leviticus 10:3Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.Numbers 20:24Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.Isaiah 8:13Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.1 Peter 4:17For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Historical Context
The Meribah incident occurred in the 40th year of wilderness wandering (Numbers 20:1). Moses's anger ('Hear now, ye rebels') revealed his frustration after 40 years of Israel's grumbling. Yet God required that His representatives display His character—patience, holiness, sufficiency. Moses's exclusion from Canaan became a sobering lesson in leadership accountability.
Questions for Reflection
- Why would a seemingly small sin disqualify Moses from entering Canaan?
- What does 'sanctifying God' mean in practical leadership and ministry?
- How does Moses's punishment demonstrate that greater privilege brings greater accountability?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh—the Hebrew ʿal ʾăšer maʿăltem bî (עַל אֲשֶׁר מְעַלְתֶּם בִּי, 'because you acted unfaithfully against Me') uses the root māʿal, meaning breach of trust or treachery. Meribah-Kadesh (מְרִיבַת קָדֵשׁ, 'contention of holiness') recalls Numbers 20:1-13, where Moses struck the rock twice instead of speaking to it. In the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel—the phrase lōʾ qiddaštem ʾôṯî (לֹא קִדַּשְׁתֶּם אוֹתִי, 'you did not sanctify Me') explains the sin: Moses failed to honor God's holiness publicly.
Moses's sin seems minor—striking rather than speaking—but the issue was representation. Moses represented God to Israel, and by acting in frustration rather than faith, he misrepresented God's character. The plural 'ye' includes Aaron. God is zealous for His glory; even Moses, the meekest man (Numbers 12:3), could not tarnish God's holiness without consequence. This demonstrates that privilege increases responsibility.