Massah
“Testing or temptation”
Summary
Massah ('temptation' or 'testing') was the name given to the place at Rephidim where Israel tested God by demanding water, also called Meribah ('strife').
☩The Testing at Rephidim
After leaving the wilderness of Sin, Israel encamped at Rephidim where there was no water to drink. The people strove with Moses, demanding, 'Give us water that we may drink,' and challenged him: 'Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?' When Moses cried to the Lord, he was instructed to take his rod and strike the rock at Horeb, from which water flowed for the people.
☩The Naming
Moses called the place 'Massah' (meaning 'testing' or 'temptation') and 'Meribah' (meaning 'strife' or 'contention') because of the Israelites' contention and because 'they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?' This incident became a warning to later generations not to harden their hearts as their fathers did at Massah and Meribah.
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Massah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Massah and Meribah," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).