◄ Numbers 5:16 ►
The priest is to bring the wife forward and have her stand before the LORD.
Study Bible
The priest
The role of the priest in ancient Israel was of immense spiritual and communal significance. The Hebrew word for priest, "kohen," denotes one who serves as a mediator between God and the people. In this context, the priest acts as an intermediary in a delicate situation, emphasizing the sacred duty of maintaining holiness and justice within the community. The priest's involvement underscores the seriousness of the matter and the need for divine guidance.

is to bring
This phrase indicates an action of leading or presenting. The Hebrew root "qarab" often implies drawing near or approaching with reverence. The act of bringing the wife forward is not merely procedural but is laden with the gravity of approaching the divine presence. It reflects the solemnity and the careful observance of God's laws, ensuring that the process is conducted with respect and integrity.

the wife forward
The focus on "the wife" highlights the personal and relational aspect of the situation. In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, marriage was a covenantal relationship with profound social and spiritual implications. The wife's position in this narrative is central, and her being brought forward signifies the community's concern for truth and righteousness in marital relationships.

and have her stand
The act of standing is significant in biblical terms, often associated with presenting oneself before authority or in a position of accountability. The Hebrew word "amad" conveys the idea of standing firm or being established. This posture before the LORD indicates readiness to receive judgment or vindication, reflecting the seriousness of the situation and the expectation of divine justice.

before the LORD
This phrase is pivotal, as it places the entire proceeding in the context of divine oversight. The Hebrew term "YHWH" is the sacred name of God, emphasizing His holiness and sovereignty. Standing before the LORD implies that the matter is not merely a human affair but one that requires divine insight and intervention. It serves as a reminder of God's omnipresence and His role as the ultimate judge and arbiter of truth.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Priest
A mediator between God and the people, responsible for performing the rituals and ensuring the law is upheld. In this context, the priest plays a crucial role in the ritual of the suspected adulteress.

2. The Wife
The woman suspected of adultery, brought before the priest for a ritual to determine her innocence or guilt.

3. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, before whom the ritual is performed, emphasizing His role as the ultimate judge.

4. The Tabernacle
The place where the presence of the LORD dwells and where the ritual takes place, signifying the holiness and seriousness of the proceedings.

5. The Ritual of Jealousy
A specific ceremony outlined in Numbers 5, designed to address suspicions of marital unfaithfulness and to maintain purity within the community.
Teaching Points
The Role of the Priest
The priest acts as a mediator, highlighting the importance of spiritual leadership and guidance in resolving conflicts and maintaining community standards.

The Seriousness of Sin
The ritual underscores the seriousness with which God views sin, particularly within the covenant of marriage, and the need for accountability.

God as the Ultimate Judge
The ritual before the LORD reminds us that God is the ultimate judge of our hearts and actions, and we are accountable to Him.

The Importance of Community Standards
The process reflects the need for communal standards and procedures to address sin and maintain purity within the community.

Grace and Mercy in Christ
While the Old Testament law emphasizes justice, the New Testament reveals the grace and mercy available through Christ, encouraging believers to seek forgiveness and restoration.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the priest in Numbers 5:16 reflect the responsibilities of spiritual leaders today?

2. In what ways does the ritual of jealousy highlight the seriousness of sin and the need for accountability in our lives?

3. How can we reconcile the justice of God as seen in Numbers 5 with the grace and mercy offered through Jesus in the New Testament?

4. What steps can we take to ensure that our communities uphold standards of purity and holiness, as reflected in the ritual described in Numbers 5?

5. How does understanding God as the ultimate judge influence the way we live our daily lives and interact with others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 20
Discusses laws regarding sexual immorality, highlighting the importance of purity and faithfulness in relationships.

John 8
The account of the woman caught in adultery, where Jesus emphasizes mercy and forgiveness, offering a New Testament perspective on dealing with sin.

1 Corinthians 6
Paul speaks about the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, underscoring the call to purity and holiness in believers' lives.
Sermons
A Fallacious Test of InnocenceScientific IllustrationsNumbers 5:11-31
Innocence Mysteriously DeclaredCaroline's Fox's JournalNumbers 5:11-31
Innocence Strangely DeclaredW. Smith.Numbers 5:11-31
The Trial of JealousyD. Young Numbers 5:11-31
The Trial of the Suspected WifeW. Jones.Numbers 5:11-31
People
Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Sinai
Topics
Bring, Caused, Priest, Stand
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 5:16

     5184   standing

Numbers 5:11-28

     4456   grain

Numbers 5:11-31

     5472   proof, evidence
     8830   suspicion

Library
Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
It is found by continual experience, that near the time of death, when the children of God are weakest, then Satan makes the greatest nourish of his strength, and assails them with his strongest temptations. For he knows that either he must now or never prevail; for if their souls once go to heaven, he shall never vex nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestir himself as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the gross sins which ever they committed, and the judgments …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Ciii. Zacchæus. Parable of the Pounds. Journey to Jerusalem.
(Jericho.) ^C Luke XIX. 1-28. ^c 1 And he entered and was passing through Jericho. [This was about one week before the crucifixion. Jericho is about seven miles from the Jordan and about seventeen and a half from Jerusalem.] 2 And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich. [See p. 76. It is probable that Zacchæus was a sub-contractor under some Roman knight who had bought the privilege of collecting taxes at Jericho, or perhaps the privilege of all …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished; …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Eternity of God
The next attribute is, God is eternal.' Psa 90:0. From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.' The schoolmen distinguish between aevun et aeternum, to explain the notion of eternity. There is a threefold being. I. Such as had a beginning; and shall have an end; as all sensitive creatures, the beasts, fowls, fishes, which at death are destroyed and return to dust; their being ends with their life. 2. Such as had a beginning, but shall have no end, as angels and the souls of men, which are eternal …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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