In biblical times, an ordeal was a method used to determine guilt or innocence through a divinely guided process. This practice is most notably illustrated in the Old Testament, where it served as a means to resolve disputes or accusations that lacked sufficient evidence for a clear judgment.

Ordeal of Jealousy

One of the most detailed accounts of an ordeal is found in the Book of Numbers, specifically in the "Ordeal of Jealousy" (Numbers 5:11-31). This ritual was prescribed for a husband who suspected his wife of infidelity but lacked witnesses or evidence. The process involved the wife drinking "bitter water" prepared by the priest, which included dust from the tabernacle floor and ink from a written curse. If the woman was guilty, the water would cause her physical harm, but if she was innocent, she would remain unharmed and be able to conceive children. This ordeal was seen as a direct appeal to God's judgment, as stated in Numbers 5:27-28 : "When she is made to drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her abdomen will swell and her thigh will waste away, and she will become accursed among her people. But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will be unaffected and will be able to conceive children."

Theological Implications

The ordeal of jealousy underscores the belief in God's omniscience and justice. It reflects the understanding that God is the ultimate judge who can reveal hidden truths and administer justice where human means fall short. This practice also highlights the seriousness with which marital fidelity was regarded in ancient Israelite society, as well as the communal and religious dimensions of personal relationships.

Cultural Context

In the broader ancient Near Eastern context, ordeals were not unique to Israel but were common in various cultures as a means of divine judgment. However, the biblical ordeal is distinct in its direct appeal to Yahweh, the God of Israel, as the arbiter of truth. This reflects the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where divine law and justice were integral to societal order.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention ordeals, the principles of divine justice and truth continue to be emphasized. Jesus' teachings often focus on the heart's intentions rather than external rituals, as seen in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). The New Testament shifts the focus from ritualistic practices to the internal transformation of believers through the Holy Spirit, emphasizing faith, repentance, and forgiveness.

Conclusion

The concept of ordeal in the Bible serves as a testament to the belief in God's active role in human affairs, particularly in matters of justice and truth. It reflects the ancient Israelites' reliance on divine intervention to resolve issues beyond human capability, while also pointing forward to the New Testament's emphasis on internal righteousness and divine grace.1. (n.) Any severe trial or test; a painful experience.

2. (n.) An ancient form of test to determine guilt or innocence, by appealing to a supernatural decision, -- once common in Europe, and still practiced in the East and by savage tribes.

3. (a.) of or pertaining to trial by ordeal.

1382. dokime -- (the process or result of) trial, proving ...
... Word Origin from dokimos Definition (the process or result of) trial, proving, approval
NASB Word Usage ordeal (1), proof (2), proven character (2), proven ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1382.htm - 7k

4451. purosis -- a burning, hence a refining
... test. Word Origin from puroo Definition a burning, hence a refining NASB
Word Usage burning (2), fiery ordeal (1). burning, trial. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4451.htm - 6k

Of the Ordeal by which one who is to be Received in the Monastery ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter III. Of the ordeal by which one who is to be received
in the monastery is tested. One, then, who seeks to be ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter iii of the ordeal.htm

Jerome Savonarola (Ad 1452-1498)
... At length one Francis of Apulia, a Franciscan friar, challenged him to what was
called the ordeal (or judgment) of fire, as a trial of the truth of his doctrine ...
/.../chapter xxviii jerome savonarola ad.htm

Through Fire.
... He needs these three young men. They consent to be His messengers. It meant going
through a terrible ordeal. ... It was a fearful ordeal that they went through. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/through fire.htm

Reverence in Prayer
... IF we were summoned to dine, or to any other audience, with our sovereign, with
what fear and trembling should we prepare ourselves for the ordeal! ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xvii reverence in prayer.htm

Three Homilies. On Our Lord.
... For Moses ground to powder the calf and caused them to drink it in the water of
ordeal; [561] that by drinking of the calf all those who were living for its ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/three homilies on our lord.htm

A Long Twilight. AD 900-1100.
... All the great nobles claimed the right of private war; there was no regular
administration of justice; trial by ordeal was practised; and a revolt against the ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/chapter ii a long twilight.htm

The Great Furnace for a Great Soul
... They disappear, and alone she meets a cruel, loveless, unknown world. A
Chinese village wedding is a terrible ordeal for the bride. ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xi the great furnace.htm

From the Death of Bishop Asbury to the Close of the General ...
... between the parties, both from the pulpit and the press, during which the doctrines
and measures of Mr. Wesley passed through the severest ordeal of critical ...
/.../chapter 3 from the death.htm

Glimpses
... the intellect, long exercised on secondary problems, wrought into habitual and accepted
traits of the explorer, are called on at last to face the direst ordeal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/merriam/the chief end of man/iv glimpses.htm

Foreword
... While in our land the Germans and Scandinavians lose much in the transition
ordeal, all is not lost; they have something to give. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol iii/foreword.htm

Ordeal (2 Occurrences)
... savage tribes. 3. (a.) of or pertaining to trial by ordeal. Multi-Version
Concordance Ordeal (2 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians ...
/o/ordeal.htm - 7k

Adultery (49 Occurrences)
... The Mosaic law (Numbers 5:11-31) prescribed that the suspected wife should be tried
by the ordeal of the "water of jealousy." There is, however, no recorded ...
/a/adultery.htm - 32k

Code (6 Occurrences)
... unprovable charge of sorcery is dealt with in an especially interesting manner
(section symbol 2). The accused in this case has to submit to an ordeal at the ...
/c/code.htm - 40k

Elijah (104 Occurrences)
... Testament Eleias or Elias, the King James Version of New Testament Elias): Contents
I. THE WORKS OF ELIJAH 1. The Judgment of Drought 2. The Ordeal by Prayer 3 ...
/e/elijah.htm - 71k

Hammurabi
... unprovable charge of sorcery is dealt with in an especially interesting manner
(section symbol 2). The accused in this case has to submit to an ordeal at the ...
/h/hammurabi.htm - 47k

Ordaineth (1 Occurrence)

/o/ordaineth.htm - 6k

Water (4571 Occurrences)
... A phrase employed (not, however, in Scripture) to denote the water used in the solemn
ordeal prescribed by the law of Moses (Numbers 5:11-31) in cases of ...
/w/water.htm - 23k

Poison (17 Occurrences)
... our Lord's promise in the appendix to Mark 16:18 shows, however, that poisons were
known and might be administered by way of ordeal, as was the unknown "water ...
/p/poison.htm - 17k

Pass (1172 Occurrences)
... 25. (vt) To cause to advance by stages of progress; to carry on with success through
an ordeal, examination, or action; specifically, to give legal or official ...
/p/pass.htm - 44k

Purge (35 Occurrences)
... guilt or crime. 6. (vt) To clear from accusation, or the charge of a crime
or misdemeanor, as by oath or in ordeal. 7. (vt) To remove ...
/p/purge.htm - 22k

What does it mean to count it all joy (James 1:2)? | GotQuestions.org

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Ordeal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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