me.ri.vah denotes provocation or strife, especially in the designation of waters associated with Israel's disobedience.

The term most often occurs in the designation of waters or a boundary location associated with strife, rebellion, or failure to consecrate God; it also names the interpersonal provocation Abram seeks to prevent between his household and Lot's.

1. Waters or place marked by strife · dominant

   In Numbers 27:14 the construct form occurs with “the waters of Meribah at Kadesh” after Moses' rebellion and failure to consecrate God; Deuteronomy 32:51 likewise names “the waters of Meribath Kadesh.” Psalm 95:8 and Psalm 106:32 use a proper form in reference to provocation at the waters, while Ezekiel 47:19 and Ezekiel 48:28 use the designation to mark a boundary at the waters of Meriboth or Meribath Kadesh.

   Deuteronomy 32:51Ezekiel 47:19Ezekiel 48:28Numbers 27:14Psalm 106:32Psalm 95:8
2. Interpersonal contention to be avoided · rare

   In Genesis 13:8 the absolute singular form stands in Abram's appeal that there be no provocation between himself and Lot, or between their herdsmen. The APB renders the clause “Let there be no provocation,” confirming a conflict within these relationships.

   Genesis 13:8

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB renders the term's context as “provocation” in Genesis 13:8 and Psalm 95:8, “strife” in Numbers 27:14, and names waters as “Meribah,” “Meribath Kadesh,” or “Meriboth Kadesh” elsewhere. These renderings show the verse-level presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent.