Deuteronomy 32:51
New International Version
This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites.

New Living Translation
For both of you betrayed me with the Israelites at the waters of Meribah at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. You failed to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel there.

English Standard Version
because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
For at the waters of Meribah-kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you broke faith with Me among the Israelites by failing to treat Me as holy in their presence.

King James Bible
Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of MeribahKadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.

New King James Version
because you trespassed against Me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin, because you did not hallow Me in the midst of the children of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the sons of Israel.

NASB 1995
because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the sons of Israel.

NASB 1977
because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the sons of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
because you both acted unfaithfully with Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you both did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the sons of Israel.

Amplified Bible
because you broke faith with Me among of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat Me as holy among of the sons of Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
For both of you broke faith with me among the Israelites at the Waters of Meribath-kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin by failing to treat me as holy in their presence.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For both of you broke faith with Me among the Israelites at the waters of Meribath-kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin by failing to treat Me as holy in their presence.

American Standard Version
because ye trespassed against me in the midst of the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
Both of you were unfaithful to me at Meribah Spring near Kadesh in the Zin Desert. I am God, but there in front of the Israelites, you did not treat me with the honor and respect I deserve.

English Revised Version
because ye trespassed against me in the midst of the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is because both of you were unfaithful to me at the oasis of Meribah at Kadesh in the Desert of Zin. You didn't show the Israelites how holy I am.

Good News Translation
because both of you were unfaithful to me in the presence of the people of Israel. When you were at the waters of Meribah, near the town of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin, you dishonored me in the presence of the people.

International Standard Version
Both of you acted unfaithfully against me among the Israelis at Meribah-kadesh in the desert of Zin, when you failed to uphold my holiness among the Israelis.

Majority Standard Bible
For at the waters of Meribah-kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you broke faith with Me among the Israelites by failing to treat Me as holy in their presence.

NET Bible
for both of you rebelled against me among the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the desert of Zin when you did not show me proper respect among the Israelites.

New Heart English Bible
because you trespassed against me in the midst of the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because you did not sanctify me in the midst of the children of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
because you trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because you didn’t uphold my holiness among the children of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
because you trespassed against Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribath-Kadesh, the wilderness of Zin, because you did not sanctify Me in the midst of the sons of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
'Because ye trespassed against me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribath-Kadesh, the wilderness of Zin -- because ye sanctified Me not in the midst of the sons of Israel;

Smith's Literal Translation
Because ye acted treacherously against me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of contradiction, of Kadesh in the desert Zin; because ye consecrated me not in the midst of the sons of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because you trespassed against me in the midst of the children of Israel, at the waters of contradiction in Cades of the desert of Sin: and you did not sanctify me among the children of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For you trespassed against me in the midst of the sons of Israel, at the Waters of Contradiction, in Kadesh, in the desert of Sin. And you did not sanctify me among the sons of Israel.

New American Bible
because both of you broke faith with me among the Israelites at the waters of Meribath-kadesh in the wilderness of Zin: you did not manifest my holiness among the Israelites.

New Revised Standard Version
because both of you broke faith with me among the Israelites at the waters of Meribath-kadesh in the wilderness of Zin, by failing to maintain my holiness among the Israelites.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Because you transgressed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Mesotha which is at Rakim, in the wilderness of Zin; because you did not sanctify me in the midst of the children of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because you did evil to me among the children of Israel by the waters of Metsutha –“Strife” in Raqem in the wilderness of Tsin, because you did not revere me among the children of Israel.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Because ye trespassed against Me in the midst of the children of Israel at the waters of Meribath-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified Me not in the midst of the children of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Because ye disobeyed my word among the children of Israel, at the waters of strife of Cades in the wilderness of Sin; because ye sanctified me not among the sons of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses' Death Foretold
50And there on the mountain that you climb, you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people. 51For at the waters of Meribah-kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you broke faith with Me among the Israelites by failing to treat Me as holy in their presence. 52Although you shall see from a distance the land that I am giving the Israelites, you shall not enter it.”…

Cross References
Numbers 20:12
But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”

Numbers 27:12-14
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go up this mountain of the Abarim range and see the land that I have given the Israelites. / After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was; / for when the congregation contended in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you rebelled against My command to show My holiness in their sight regarding the waters.” Those were the waters of Meribah in Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin.

Psalm 106:32-33
At the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD, and trouble came to Moses because of them. / For they rebelled against His Spirit, and Moses spoke rashly with his lips.

Exodus 17:6
Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. And when you strike the rock, water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Numbers 20:7-11
And the LORD said to Moses, / “Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.” / So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he had been commanded. ...

Numbers 20:24
“Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will not enter the land that I have given the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah.

Numbers 33:51-52
“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, / you must drive out before you all the inhabitants of the land, destroy all their carved images and cast idols, and demolish all their high places.

Leviticus 10:3
Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent.

Deuteronomy 1:37
The LORD was also angry with me on your account, and He said, “Not even you shall enter the land.

Deuteronomy 3:26
But the LORD was angry with me on account of you, and He would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the LORD said to me. “Do not speak to Me again about this matter.

Deuteronomy 4:21
The LORD, however, was angry with me on account of you, and He swore that I would not cross the Jordan to enter the good land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

1 Corinthians 10:4
and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

Hebrews 3:16-19
For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? / And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed? ...

Hebrews 4:1-2
Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it. / For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.

Romans 5:19
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.


Treasury of Scripture

Because you trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of MeribahKadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because you sanctified me not in the middle of the children of Israel.

ye trespassed

Deuteronomy 3:23-27
And I besought the LORD at that time, saying, …

Numbers 20:11,12,24
And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also

Numbers 27:14
For 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.

Meribah-Kadesh.

Numbers 20:13,14
This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them…

because ye

Leviticus 10:3
Then 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.

1 Kings 13:21-26
And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee, …

Isaiah 8:13
Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

Jump to Previous
Children Desert esh Holy Israel Israelites Kadesh Meribah Meribah-Kadesh Meribath Meribath-Kadesh Midst Presence Revere Sanctified Sanctify Sin Treat Trespassed Uphold Waste Waters Wilderness Zin
Jump to Next
Children Desert esh Holy Israel Israelites Kadesh Meribah Meribah-Kadesh Meribath Meribath-Kadesh Midst Presence Revere Sanctified Sanctify Sin Treat Trespassed Uphold Waste Waters Wilderness Zin
Deuteronomy 32
1. Moses' song, which sets forth God's mercy and vengeance
46. He exhorts them to set their hearts upon it
48. God sends him up to mount Nebo to see the land, and to die














For both of you broke faith with Me
This phrase refers to Moses and Aaron, who were leaders chosen by God to guide the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "broke faith" is "ma'al," which implies an act of treachery or unfaithfulness. In the context of the covenant relationship between God and His people, this breach of faith was a serious offense. Historically, this highlights the gravity of leadership responsibilities and the expectation of unwavering faithfulness to God's commands. It serves as a reminder that even the most revered leaders are not above accountability.

among the Israelites
The Israelites were God's chosen people, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This phrase emphasizes the communal aspect of the sin; it was not just a private failure but one that occurred in the sight of the entire nation. The historical context here is significant, as the Israelites were on a journey from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land, a journey that required trust and obedience to God. The leaders' failure had implications for the whole community, underscoring the interconnectedness of the covenant community.

at the waters of Meribah-kadesh
Meribah-kadesh is a specific location in the Wilderness of Zin, where the incident of striking the rock occurred (Numbers 20:1-13). The name "Meribah" means "quarreling" or "strife," reflecting the contentious nature of the event. Archaeologically, this site is significant as it represents a place of testing and failure. The historical context of this location serves as a reminder of the Israelites' repeated struggles with faith and obedience during their wilderness journey.

in the Wilderness of Zin
The Wilderness of Zin was a desert region that the Israelites traversed during their 40-year journey. This harsh environment was a place of testing and reliance on God's provision. The wilderness experience is often symbolic of spiritual testing and growth. In this context, it highlights the challenges faced by the Israelites and their leaders, and the necessity of maintaining faith in God's promises despite difficult circumstances.

by failing to treat Me as holy
The Hebrew root for "holy" is "qadash," which means to set apart or consecrate. This phrase underscores the importance of recognizing and honoring God's holiness. Moses and Aaron's failure to do so at Meribah-kadesh was a significant transgression because it misrepresented God's character to the people. Theologically, this serves as a powerful reminder of the reverence due to God and the responsibility of leaders to reflect His holiness accurately.

in their presence
This phrase emphasizes the public nature of the sin. The leaders' actions were witnessed by the entire community, which magnified the impact of their failure. Scripturally, this serves as a cautionary tale about the influence of leadership and the importance of setting a godly example. It also highlights the communal aspect of faith, where individual actions can have far-reaching consequences for the entire body of believers.

Verse 51. - (Cf. Numbers 20:13, 24.) Because ye sanctified me not (cf. Numbers 27:14; 1 Peter 3:15).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
עַל֩ (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

at the waters
בְּמֵֽי־ (bə·mê-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

of Meribah-kadesh
מְרִיבַ֥ת (mə·rî·ḇaṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4808: Strife, contention

in the Wilderness
מִדְבַּר־ (miḏ·bar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

of Zin,
צִ֑ן (ṣin)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6790: Zin -- a desert area which included Kadesh-barnea

both of you broke faith
מְעַלְתֶּ֜ם (mə·‘al·tem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 4603: To cover up, to act covertly, treacherously

with Me
בִּ֗י (bî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

among
בְּתוֹךְ֙ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

the Israelites
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

by
עַ֣ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

failing
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to treat Me as holy
קִדַּשְׁתֶּם֙ (qid·daš·tem)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated

in their
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

presence.
בְּת֖וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre


Links
Deuteronomy 32:51 NIV
Deuteronomy 32:51 NLT
Deuteronomy 32:51 ESV
Deuteronomy 32:51 NASB
Deuteronomy 32:51 KJV

Deuteronomy 32:51 BibleApps.com
Deuteronomy 32:51 Biblia Paralela
Deuteronomy 32:51 Chinese Bible
Deuteronomy 32:51 French Bible
Deuteronomy 32:51 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Deuteronomy 32:51 Because you trespassed against me (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 32:50
Top of Page
Top of Page