Deuteronomy 32:51

51 because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Mer'i-bath-ka'desh, in the wilderness of Zin; because you did not revere me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel.

Deuteronomy 32:51 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:51

Because ye trespassed against me among the children of
Israel
By their unbelief, doubting whether God would give water or no to such a rebellious people, and by giving way to passion and wrathful expressions: and this was done

at the waters of Meribahkadesh;
so called, to distinguish it from another Meribah, where also there was a contention on account of water, ( Numbers 20:13 ) ( 27:14 ) :

in the wilderness of Zin;
where Kadesh was, and further describes and distinguishes this place; of the one we read in ( Exodus 17:7 ) ; and of the other, which is here referred to, in ( Numbers 20:1 Numbers 20:13 ) ;

because ye sanctified me not in, the midst of the children of Israel;
through their unbelief and disagreeable behaviour, they sanctified him not themselves, and gave no honour to him, nor were the cause of his being sanctified by the Israelites; and this was the reason why Moses and Aaron might not enter into the land of Canaan, ( Numbers 20:12 ) ( 27:12-14 ) .

Deuteronomy 32:51 In-Context

49 "Ascend this mountain of the Ab'arim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho; and view the land of Canaan, which I give to the people of Israel for a possession;
50 and die on the mountain which you ascend, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in Mount Hor and was gathered to his people;
51 because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Mer'i-bath-ka'desh, in the wilderness of Zin; because you did not revere me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel.
52 For you shall see the land before you; but you shall not go there, into the land which I give to the people of Israel."
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.