The Waters of Meribah and the Oath of Death Against Moses

"These are the waters of Meribah" (Numbers 20:13). "These" are those whom Pharaoh's astrologers foresaw. "And He was sanctified through them" — because they did not fulfill His words, He was sanctified through them. "Therefore" — this denotes an oath of death, for "therefore" means nothing other than an oath, as it is said, "Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli" (1 Samuel 3:14). And "and He was sanctified through them" means nothing other than killing, at the time when they transgressed His command, just as Moses said, "This is what the LORD spoke" (Leviticus 10:3). And where did He speak it? "And it shall be sanctified by My glory" (Exodus 29:43).