Deuteronomy 9:22
And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath.
Original Language Analysis
הַֽתַּאֲוָ֑ה
and at Kibrothhattaavah
H6914
הַֽתַּאֲוָ֑ה
and at Kibrothhattaavah
Strong's:
H6914
Word #:
4 of 8
kibroth-hat-taavh, a place in the desert
מַקְצִפִ֥ים
to wrath
H7107
מַקְצִפִ֥ים
to wrath
Strong's:
H7107
Word #:
5 of 8
to crack off, i.e., (figuratively) burst out in rage
הֱיִיתֶ֖ם
H1961
הֱיִיתֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 8
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Exodus 17:7And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?Numbers 11:34And he called the name of that place Kibroth-hattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted.
Historical Context
These incidents occurred during the wilderness wandering between Sinai and Kadesh-Barnea. Despite witnessing God's mighty acts in Egypt and at the Red Sea, Israel repeatedly complained and rebelled when facing difficulty.
The naming of locations after judgment events created geographical testimony to Israel's rebellions, making the landscape itself a preacher of righteousness to future generations.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Israel's pattern of repeated rebellion despite God's blessings reveal about human nature?
- How do the memorial names serve as warnings to future generations?
- In what areas of life do you find yourself repeatedly testing or provoking God?
- Why does complaining often escalate into more serious rebellion against God?
- How should remembering past failures shape present obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibrothhattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath. Moses catalogs Israel's repeated rebellions, demonstrating a pattern of provocation throughout the wilderness journey. Each location name testified to Israel's sin and God's response.
Taberah means 'burning' - there God's fire consumed the outskirts of the camp when people complained (Numbers 11:1-3). Massah means 'testing' - there Israel tested God demanding water (Exodus 17:7). Kibroth-hattaavah means 'graves of craving' - there God struck down those who lusted for meat (Numbers 11:34). These names serve as memorial to judgment.
The verb provoked (Hebrew qatsaph) indicates causing God's anger to burn. Israel's sins were not mere mistakes but deliberate provocations that tested God's patience. The pattern revealed not isolated failures but persistent rebellion despite repeated deliverance and provision.
This historical recital serves didactic purpose - reminding the second generation of their fathers' failures to prevent repetition. Those who forget history's lessons repeat its errors.