מְרִיבָה (me.ri.vah)
me.ri.vah
provocation
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun merivah denotes active strife or contention, capturing the friction that arises when parties clash. It is not merely a disagreement but a charged conflict, often involving legal disputes or public arguments. In the biblical text, it describes situations where harmony is broken by opposing wills or accusations.
This word appears in only two verses, both found in Genesis. It characterizes the tension between Abraham and Lot’s herdsmen over grazing land (Genesis 13:7) and later between Jacob and Laban (Genesis 31:47). In these contexts, merivah highlights the practical breakdown of peace due to competing interests, requiring resolution through negotiation or separation rather than violence.
Its root is closely tied to the verb rib, meaning to strive or contend. While rib can be used in a judicial sense for a lawsuit, merivah emphasizes the contentious atmosphere itself. The term underscores how resource scarcity or misunderstanding can escalate into open hostility, serving as a narrative marker for moments where relationships are tested by material or spiritual conflict.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word merivah describes a sharp, charged conflict where competing interests break the peace. It is more than a simple disagreement; it is a friction that arises when resources are scarce or misunderstandings deepen into hostility. In Genesis, this tension appears between Abraham and Lot, and later between Jacob and Laban, showing how even close relatives can find themselves in a legalistic struggle over land and rights.
Understanding this word helps us see the gravity of broken relationships. It reminds us that strife often stems from practical pressures rather than just personal malice. When we face similar tensions, the biblical example points toward negotiation and separation to preserve peace, rather than escalating the conflict. This offers a clear path for resolving disputes with dignity.
Recognizing the signs of merivah allows us to address issues before they become unmanageable. It encourages us to seek resolution through dialogue and fair boundaries. By acknowledging the root causes of contention, we can foster environments where harmony is possible, reflecting a commitment to peace even in difficult circumstances.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- strife1×
- in/ [the] strife of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְרִיבָה֙1×
- בִּ/מְרִיבַת֙1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 13:8
Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are relatives.
Abram uses this concept to propose separation as the solution to avoid escalating conflict over grazing land between their herdsmen.
-
Numbers 27:14
because in the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, to honor me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)
This verse references the 'strife of the congregation' at Meribah, linking the noun to a specific historical event of rebellion and testing God's holiness.