The priest shall take from her hand the grain offering for jealousy, wave it before the LORD, and bring it to the altar. The priest shall take from her hand the grain offering for jealousyThis phrase refers to the ritual described in Numbers 5, where a husband suspects his wife of infidelity. The grain offering, made of barley, is unique because it lacks oil and frankincense, symbolizing the gravity and solemnity of the situation. Barley, often considered a lesser grain, reflects the humbling nature of the offering. The priest's role as mediator underscores the importance of priestly intercession in resolving disputes and maintaining community purity. This ritual highlights the seriousness of marital fidelity in Israelite society and the need for divine intervention in matters of jealousy. wave it before the LORD
Waving the offering before the LORD signifies presenting it to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and seeking His judgment. This act of waving is a form of consecration, setting the offering apart for divine purposes. It symbolizes the transfer of the matter from human hands to divine jurisdiction. The waving ritual is seen in other offerings, such as peace offerings, indicating a broader practice of dedicating offerings to God. This act underscores the belief that God is the ultimate judge and arbiter of truth. and bring it to the altar
Bringing the offering to the altar signifies its dedication to God and the seriousness of the vow or judgment being sought. The altar, central to Israelite worship, represents God's presence and the place where sacrifices and offerings are made. This action connects the ritual to the broader sacrificial system, where offerings are made to atone for sin or seek divine favor. The altar's role in this ritual emphasizes the need for divine justice and the community's reliance on God's guidance in resolving disputes. Persons / Places / Events 1. The PriestA mediator between God and the people, responsible for performing the rituals and offerings as prescribed by the Law. 2. The WomanThe subject of the jealousy offering, suspected of unfaithfulness, and undergoing a ritual to determine her innocence or guilt. 3. The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, before whom the offering is presented, signifying His role as the ultimate judge. 4. The AltarThe sacred place where offerings are made, symbolizing God's presence and the place of atonement and judgment. 5. The Grain Offering for JealousyA specific offering made in cases of suspected marital unfaithfulness, serving as a test of fidelity. Teaching Points God's Holiness and JusticeThe ritual underscores God's holiness and the seriousness of sin, particularly in the covenant of marriage. The Role of the PriestThe priest acts as an intermediary, highlighting the need for spiritual leadership and guidance in matters of sin and reconciliation. The Importance of FaithfulnessThe jealousy offering serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness in relationships, reflecting God's faithfulness to His people. God as the Ultimate JudgeThe ritual emphasizes that God is the ultimate judge who discerns truth and administers justice, encouraging believers to trust in His righteous judgment. Symbolism of the AltarThe altar represents a place of meeting with God, where sin is addressed, and reconciliation is sought, pointing to the need for repentance and restoration. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the role of the priest in Numbers 5:25 reflect the need for spiritual leadership in addressing sin within the community? 2. In what ways does the jealousy offering highlight the seriousness of marital fidelity, and how can this be applied to modern Christian marriages? 3. How does the concept of God as the ultimate judge in Numbers 5:25 provide comfort or challenge to believers today? 4. What parallels can be drawn between the ritual in Numbers 5 and the account of the woman caught in adultery in John 8, and what do these teach us about grace and justice? 5. How can the symbolism of the altar in Numbers 5:25 inspire believers to seek reconciliation and restoration in their own lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 2Discusses grain offerings, providing context for the type of offering used in the jealousy ritual. Proverbs 6:34Speaks about jealousy as a powerful emotion, highlighting the seriousness of the situation addressed in Numbers 5. 1 Corinthians 4:5Relates to God's role as the ultimate judge who brings to light what is hidden, similar to the purpose of the jealousy offering. John 8:1-11The account of the woman caught in adultery, illustrating Jesus' approach to sin and judgment, contrasting with the Old Testament law. People Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces SinaiTopics Altar, Bring, Cereal, Doubt, Grain, Hands, Jealousy, Jealousy-offering, Meal, Meal-offering, Oblation, Offer, Offering, Present, Priest, Wave, Waved, Waving, Woman'sDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 5:25 7368 grain offering
7480 wave offering 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 PietyCiii. 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 Links Numbers 5:25 NIVNumbers 5:25 NLTNumbers 5:25 ESVNumbers 5:25 NASBNumbers 5:25 KJV
Numbers 5:25 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
