Numbers 5 12

Numbers 5:12 kjv

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man's wife go aside, and commit a trespass against him,

Numbers 5:12 nkjv

"Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'If any man's wife goes astray and behaves unfaithfully toward him,

Numbers 5:12 niv

"Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'If a man's wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him

Numbers 5:12 esv

"Speak to the people of Israel, If any man's wife goes astray and breaks faith with him,

Numbers 5:12 nlt

"Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. "Suppose a man's wife goes astray, and she is unfaithful to her husband

Numbers 5 verses

Numbers 5 12 Meaning

Numbers 5:12 introduces the legal procedure for dealing with a husband who suspects his wife of adultery but lacks concrete evidence. The verse establishes the scenario where a woman deviates from marital fidelity and acts unfaithfully against her husband, necessitating divine intervention to reveal the truth in the absence of witnesses. It underscores the sanctity of marriage within the Israelite covenant community and the seriousness with which unfaithfulness was viewed, not just as a sexual transgression but as a breach of profound trust.

Numbers 5 12 Context

Numbers chapter 5 opens a section of laws concerning the maintenance of purity within the Israelite camp, vital for a holy people living in God's presence. Following regulations for expelling the ritually unclean (Num 5:1-4) and restitution for wrongs (Num 5:5-10), verses 11-31 present the "law of jealousy" (Sotah). Verse 12 initiates this unique judicial process, addressing the sensitive and potentially disruptive issue of marital infidelity when there is no direct evidence. Historically, in the ancient Near East, accusations of adultery could lead to severe outcomes for the woman. This law provided a structured, divinely ordained method for determining guilt or innocence, bypassing the need for human witnesses, and highlighting God as the ultimate arbiter of truth, particularly in cases that affect the purity and honor of the family and the community. It sought to maintain the sanctity of marriage while also protecting against false accusations and private vigilantism.

Numbers 5 12 Word analysis

• "Speak" (דַּבֵּר֙, Dabber): From דָּבַר (dabar), to speak, command. It's a standard imperative introducing a divine command to Moses, emphasizing that this instruction originates from God.

• "to the Israelites" (אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל, el-B'nei Yisrael): Literally "to the sons of Israel." Designates the entire covenant community as the recipients of this law, reinforcing its importance for collective purity and order.

• "and say to them" (וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם, v'amarta alehem): Further emphasizes the direct communication from God through Moses, typical of Mosaic law formulations.

• "If a man’s wife" (אִ֣ישׁ אִֽישׁ֙ כִּֽי־תִשְׂטֶ֣ה אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ, Ish ish ki-tishteh ishto):

  • אִ֣ישׁ אִֽישׁ֙ (Ish ish): "A man, any man." This repetition of איש (ish) signifies emphasis or generality, indicating that this law applies to any man among the Israelites, addressing a universal concern.
  • כִּֽי־תִשְׂטֶ֣ה (ki-tishteh): "When she turns aside," or "goes astray." From סָטָה (satah), meaning "to deviate," "to turn aside," "to go astray," often implies turning from the right path, whether physically or morally. In this context, it points to a deviation from marital fidelity, possibly an initial wandering or flirting, not necessarily yet full sexual intercourse (though that would be implied by "unfaithful").
  • אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ (ishto): "His wife." Explicitly defines the relationship under question – the legally married woman.

• "and is unfaithful to him" (וּמָעֲלָ֥ה ב֣וֹ מָ֑עַל, u'ma'alah bo ma'al):

  • וּמָעֲלָ֥ה (u'ma'alah): "And acts treacherously." From מָעַל (ma'al), meaning "to act unfaithfully," "to commit a trespass," "to deal treacherously." This term frequently appears in contexts of betraying sacred trusts, divine commands, or covenant obligations. It's used for acts of sacrilege against God (e.g., regarding devoted things) and thus highlights the serious nature of breaking the marital covenant, equating it with a profound act of betrayal.
  • ב֣וֹ (bo): "In him," or "against him." Specifies the husband as the aggrieved party.
  • מָ֑עַל (ma'al): This is the cognate noun form of the verb, meaning "treachery," "unfaithfulness," or "transgression." The repetition of the verb and noun form (ma'al... ma'al) emphasizes the complete and utter nature of the treachery committed, making it a very strong statement of deep betrayal.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "If a man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him": The combination of סָטָה (satah) ("go astray," "turn aside") and מָעַל (ma'al) ("act treacherously," "be unfaithful") provides a comprehensive description of the transgression. Satah suggests a behavioral or relational deviation, while ma'al strongly emphasizes the breach of the covenant, the breaking of sacred trust inherent in the marital bond. This highlights that infidelity is not merely a physical act but a deep violation of loyalty, reflecting a profound covenantal unfaithfulness, much like Israel's "adultery" against God through idolatry.

Numbers 5 12 Bonus section

• Polemics against Polytheism: The "jealousy offering" and the entire framework of maintaining purity in Numbers can be seen as an implicit polemic against pagan practices and cults where fertility rites and sexual permissiveness were common. The emphasis on fidelity within marriage contrasts sharply with the often sexually illicit rituals found in surrounding cultures. This law affirms Yahweh's unique standards of holiness and morality.
• The Husband's Jealousy (קנאה, qina'ah): While not in this specific verse, the broader context of the Sotah law is driven by the "spirit of jealousy" (Num 5:14, 30). This jealousy is not merely human possessiveness but a reflection of divine jealousy for His people's fidelity (Ex 20:5; Deut 4:24), emphasizing the covenantal parallel between God's relationship with Israel and a marriage bond. This sacred concern for loyalty elevates marital faithfulness.
• Uniqueness of the Law: The Sotah ritual is unique among ancient Near Eastern laws, which generally lacked a divine ordeal specifically for unproven adultery, often relying on witness testimonies or physical evidence. It reflects God's specific care for justice and truth within His chosen people, extending His sovereign rule to even the most private domestic matters.
• Figurative Usage: The language of "going astray" (satah) and "acting treacherously" (ma'al) becomes crucial in the prophetic books to describe Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness to God (e.g., Hos 1:2-3; Jer 3:8-9; Ezek 16:30-34). Just as the wife betrays the husband, Israel betrays Yahweh by turning to idolatry and forsaking His covenant. This highlights a powerful theological analogy embedded within these marital laws.

Numbers 5 12 Commentary

Numbers 5:12 sets the premise for the extraordinary ordeal of the "bitter water," known as the Sotah ritual (Num 5:11-31). This specific verse precisely defines the circumstance that triggers the ritual: a husband’s reasonable suspicion of his wife’s infidelity when there is no witness or direct evidence. The chosen vocabulary is crucial. The term "goes astray" (satah) describes a turning aside from the straight path of faithfulness, encompassing potentially secret deviations that have not yet led to public shame or proof. More significantly, "is unfaithful" (ma'al) implies a breach of trust or covenant. This term, frequently used for offenses against God's covenant and sacred property, elevates marital infidelity from a mere sexual sin to a profound violation of the solemn marital vows and a spiritual offense, affecting the purity of the community.

The unique aspect of this law lies in its recourse to divine justice when human proof is absent. Rather than allowing accusations to remain unresolved, causing domestic strife and communal suspicion, or enabling vigilantism, God provides a mechanism. This divine adjudication safeguards both the husband’s honor and the wife’s reputation against arbitrary accusation, with the outcome entirely dependent on God's judgment revealed through a ritual. The verse subtly underscores that even hidden actions of betrayal are known to God and can be supernaturally exposed, reinforcing the pervasive awareness of His presence and His commitment to justice and purity within His covenant people.