When he has made her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel, and she will become accursed among her people. When he has made her drink the waterThis phrase refers to the ritual of the "water of bitterness" described in Numbers 5, a test for a woman suspected of adultery. The Hebrew root for "drink" (שָׁקָה, shakah) implies a forced action, indicating the seriousness of the ritual. This reflects the gravity of marital fidelity in ancient Israelite society, where marriage was a covenant not only between individuals but before God. if she has defiled herself
The term "defiled" (טָמֵא, tame) in Hebrew carries a strong connotation of ritual impurity. In the context of the Old Testament, defilement often required purification rites. Here, it underscores the spiritual and communal breach caused by adultery, which was seen as a sin against God and the community. and been unfaithful to her husband
Unfaithfulness (מָעַל, ma'al) is a breach of trust, a betrayal of the covenantal relationship. In the biblical context, marriage is a sacred bond, and unfaithfulness is not just a personal failing but a violation of divine law. This phrase highlights the importance of fidelity as a reflection of one's faithfulness to God. the water that brings a curse
The "water" is a physical representation of divine judgment. The Hebrew word for "curse" (אָלָה, alah) suggests an invocation of divine retribution. This reflects the belief that God is actively involved in upholding moral order, and that sin has tangible consequences. will enter her and cause bitter suffering
The phrase "bitter suffering" (מָרָה, marah) evokes the physical and emotional pain associated with sin and its consequences. It serves as a warning of the destructive power of sin, both in personal lives and in the community. her abdomen will swell and her thigh will waste away
This vivid imagery symbolizes the physical manifestation of guilt and divine judgment. The swelling abdomen and wasting thigh are signs of barrenness, a severe consequence in a culture that valued progeny. It underscores the seriousness of the accusation and the divine justice at work. and she will become accursed among her people
To be "accursed" (אָרַר, arar) is to be set apart for destruction, a severe social and spiritual consequence. This reflects the communal nature of sin and its impact on the community. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of holiness and the fear of God in maintaining communal integrity. Persons / Places / Events 1. The PriestThe religious leader responsible for administering the test of the bitter water to the woman accused of adultery. 2. The Accused WomanA woman suspected of infidelity, who undergoes the ritual to determine her guilt or innocence. 3. The HusbandThe man who suspects his wife of being unfaithful and brings her before the priest. 4. The TabernacleThe sacred place where the ritual takes place, symbolizing God's presence and justice. 5. The Bitter WaterA concoction used in the ritual, believed to reveal the truth about the woman's fidelity. Teaching Points The Seriousness of SinThe ritual underscores the gravity of sin, particularly adultery, and its impact on individuals and the community. God's Justice and MercyWhile the passage highlights justice, it also points to the need for mercy and forgiveness, as seen in the broader biblical account. The Role of CommunityThe involvement of the priest and the public nature of the ritual reflect the communal aspect of sin and accountability. Faithfulness in RelationshipsThe passage calls believers to uphold faithfulness in marriage, reflecting God's covenantal faithfulness. The Power of TruthThe ritual serves as a reminder of the importance of truth and integrity in our relationships and before God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the ritual in Numbers 5:27 reflect the seriousness with which God views marital fidelity? 2. In what ways does the community play a role in addressing sin, as seen in this passage? 3. How can we balance the concepts of justice and mercy in our own lives, drawing from both the Old and New Testament teachings? 4. What steps can we take to ensure faithfulness in our relationships, and how does this reflect our relationship with God? 5. How does the account of the woman caught in adultery in John 8 provide a New Testament perspective on dealing with sin and forgiveness? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 20:10This verse discusses the consequences of adultery, providing context for the seriousness of the accusation in Numbers 5:27. John 8:3-11The account of the woman caught in adultery, where Jesus emphasizes mercy and forgiveness, offering a New Testament perspective on dealing with sin. Proverbs 6:32-33These verses highlight the destructive nature of adultery, aligning with the consequences described in Numbers 5:27. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20Paul’s teaching on sexual immorality, urging believers to honor God with their bodies, which connects to the moral implications of the passage. People Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces SinaiTopics Abdomen, Accursed, Acted, Belly, Bitter, Bitterness, Body, Bringeth, Brings, Cause, Caused, Causes, Causeth, Causing, Commit, Committed, Curse, Defiled, Disease, Drink, Enter, Execration, Fall, Fallen, Herself, Husband, Legs, Midst, Pain, Pass, Perish, Rot, Shrink, Sinning, Stomach, Suffering, Swell, Swelled, Thigh, Trespass, Unclean, Unfaithful, Unfaithfully, Unfaithfulness, Waste, Wasting, Waters, YeaDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 5:27 5185 stomach
5190 thigh
6142 decay Numbers 5:11-28 4456 grain Numbers 5:11-31 5472 proof, evidence
8830 suspicion Numbers 5:27-30 7348 defilement 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 5:27 NIVNumbers 5:27 NLTNumbers 5:27 ESVNumbers 5:27 NASBNumbers 5:27 KJV
Numbers 5:27 Commentaries
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