John Calvin Commentary Numbers 20:13

"These are the waters of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with Jehovah, and he was sanctified in them." — Numbers 20:13 (ASV)

This is the water of Meribah.¹¹⁰ This name was given to the place in order that the ingratitude of their fathers might be detestable to their descendants, and therefore the mercy of God more illustrious. Thus the Prophet, referring to it, says:

That the generation to come might know them, — that they might not forget the works of God, — and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God (Psalms 78:6–8).

And elsewhere both the name of Meribah and that of Massah are employed, in order that the Israelites might learn not to imitate their fathers (Psalms 95:8¹¹¹), although Moses here uses the plural, whereas in Exodus 17 he uses the singular.

The expression at the end of the verse, that God was sanctified among the children of Israel, is not used in approval, but rather in reproof of their conduct.

Israel is called elsewhere God’s holiness¹¹² (Psalms 114:2), because God magnificently displayed his glory in their deliverance. But He is here said to have sanctified Himself in a different sense: by overthrowing their iniquity and stubbornness, He rescued his holy name from contempt.

In short, it was a proof of his inestimable mercy that the water, which might have justly been destructive to them, was not only given as the sustenance of their bodies but was also converted into an aid for their salvation. For this reason, Paul says that this was spiritual drink (1 Corinthians 10:4).

¹¹⁰ Lat., “These are the waters of strife.” See margin “These are the waters of strife.” See margin A.V.

¹¹¹ In C.’s translation of this verse he retains the proper names Meribah and Massah, which in translation of this verse he retains the proper names Meribah and Massah, which in A.V. are rendered, “in the are rendered, “in the provocation, and in the day of and in the day of temptation.” See See C. Soc. Edit., vol. 4, p. 40; and Mr. Anderson’s ; and Mr. Anderson’s note..

¹¹² A.V., “Judah was his sanctuary.” , “Judah was his sanctuary.” V. “Facta est Judaea sanctificatio ejus.” See “Facta est Judaea sanctificatio ejus.” See C. Soc. Edit. of Psalms, of Psalms, vol. 4, pp. 336, 337..