Numbers 5 14

Numbers 5:14 kjv

And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:

Numbers 5:14 nkjv

if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, who has defiled herself; or if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, although she has not defiled herself?

Numbers 5:14 niv

and if feelings of jealousy come over her husband and he suspects his wife and she is impure?or if he is jealous and suspects her even though she is not impure?

Numbers 5:14 esv

and if the spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife who has defiled herself, or if the spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife, though she has not defiled herself,

Numbers 5:14 nlt

If her husband becomes jealous and is suspicious of his wife and needs to know whether or not she has defiled herself,

Numbers 5 verses

Numbers 5 14 Meaning

Numbers 5:14 describes the specific conditions under which a man could bring his wife before the priest for the ordeal of bitter water (Sotah). The verse states that if a husband is overcome by a strong feeling of jealousy, suspecting his wife of infidelity, then he is to present her to the priest. Crucially, the verse covers both possibilities: whether his suspicion is true (she is defiled by adultery) or whether his suspicion is unfounded (she is not defiled). The primary trigger for the ordeal is the husband's pervasive jealousy, necessitating a divine intervention to ascertain the truth of his wife's fidelity.

Numbers 5 14 Context

Numbers chapter 5 details various laws concerning the purity and sanctity of the Israelite camp, crucial for their communion with God. It begins with the expulsion of the ceremonially unclean (lepers, those with discharges, and those defiled by the dead) to maintain holiness within the community. Following this, laws regarding restitution for wrongs are established, ensuring justice. Numbers 5:11-31 then introduces the highly specific and unique "law of jealousy" (the Sotah ritual), providing a divine judicial procedure for cases of suspected adultery where there is no human witness or evidence. This context underscores the paramount importance of purity, order, justice, and the sanctity of marriage within the covenant community. The ordeal of bitter water serves as a divine mechanism to uncover hidden truth, protecting the innocent from unproven accusations while ensuring that the guilty are exposed by God's own judgment. It demonstrates God's commitment to marital faithfulness and the integrity of the family unit, which formed the bedrock of Israelite society.

Numbers 5 14 Word analysis

• and if (וְאִם - ve'im): The conjunctive "and" (וְ - ve) links this passage to the preceding laws, showing it as another instruction for maintaining holiness. The conditional "if" (אִם - im) introduces a hypothetical scenario, a potential situation that necessitates the prescribed action. This sets up a condition-action legal framework.
• spirit (רוּחַ - ruach): In this context, ruach refers to a strong disposition, a powerful inward impulse, or an overwhelming emotional state that seizes a person. It is not necessarily an evil spirit in the demonic sense but an intense feeling of jealousy that grips the husband. It indicates a deep, possibly irrational, internal driving force.
• of jealousy (קִנְאָה - qin'ah): This Hebrew term denotes intense passion, fervor, zeal, envy, or ardent suspicion. While God's qin'ah is positive (zealous devotion to His covenant), human qin'ah is often negative, manifesting as envy (Gen 37:11) or here, deep, pervasive, and often unfounded marital suspicion. It indicates an agitated and unsettled state of mind where trust has eroded.
• comes upon him (עָלָיו - 'alav): The preposition 'alav "upon him" indicates that this spirit of jealousy takes hold of him, overriding his usual composure or judgment. It describes the immersive and powerful nature of this feeling.
• and he is jealous of his wife (וְקִנֵּא אֶת־אִשְׁתּוֹ - v'kinnei et-ishto): This phrase repeats the root qana, emphasizing that the husband's jealousy is an active and focused state concerning his wife's fidelity. It signifies that his suspicion is not fleeting but a persistent and compelling inner state that requires resolution. It targets the very bond of marriage.
• and she is defiled (וְהִיא נִטְמְאָה - v'hi nitm'ah): The Hebrew verb נִטְמְאָה (nitm'ah) comes from the root טָמֵא (ṭameʼ), meaning to be unclean, impure, or defiled. In this specific legal and ritual context, it refers to actual defilement through adultery. This phrase represents the scenario where the husband's jealousy is founded on truth.
• or (אוֹ - o): This conjunction clearly presents an alternative possibility. It establishes that the "spirit of jealousy" and suspicion can arise regardless of the wife's actual guilt or innocence. This signifies the core problem: a pervasive, unprovable suspicion that threatens marital peace and societal purity.
• she is not defiled (וְהִיא לֹא נִטְמְאָה - v'hi lo nitm'ah): This vital clause specifies the counter-scenario where the wife is actually innocent of the accusation. This demonstrates that the ordeal is not merely for the purpose of condemning the guilty but equally for vindicating the innocent. It highlights the divine mechanism for clearing a wrongly accused party in the absence of human witnesses.

Word-Groups Analysis

• "and if a spirit of jealousy comes upon him": This opening phrase highlights the subjective and often overwhelming nature of the husband's suspicion. It is not merely a passing thought but a deep-seated "spirit" that consumes him, setting in motion a divine legal process due to its gravity. It emphasizes the inner state as the trigger, rather than outward evidence.
• "and he is jealous of his wife": This reinforces the focus of the "spirit" - it is specifically directed at his wife's faithfulness within the marital covenant. This defines the particular area of concern that this law addresses.
• "and she is defiled, or if... she is not defiled": This crucial dual phrasing presents the complete scope of the "bitter water" ordeal. It clearly states that the ritual applies whether the wife is guilty of adultery or whether she is entirely innocent. The divine test is necessary precisely because human evidence cannot definitively prove or disprove her fidelity, making the divine intervention imperative for revealing the hidden truth.

Numbers 5 14 Bonus section

• The "law of jealousy" is a lex sacra (holy law), contrasting with standard judicial procedures by involving priestly ritual and direct divine intervention. It addresses a specific legal lacuna where private conduct impacts communal holiness, but lacks witnesses.
• Unlike some ancient Near Eastern parallels that often involved brutal "river ordeals" with the primary purpose of immediate condemnation or execution based on circumstantial evidence or sheer accusations, the Israelite Sotah rite's primary goal was truth-seeking. The procedure for the accused in Numbers is detailed and highly ritualistic, rather than immediate judgment or punishment, focusing on divine arbitration.
• The physical effects described in Numbers 5:21-22 for a guilty woman (swollen belly, wasted thigh) point to supernatural judgment, underscoring that the consequences of hidden sin are serious and are observed by God.
• The passage highlights the critical importance of a marriage's integrity as a cornerstone of Israelite society and a reflection of the covenant relationship between God and Israel (spiritual adultery being depicted similarly).
• The absence of this ritual today implies that with the fuller revelation in Christ, believers are called to trust in God's ultimate justice and that "nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light" (Lk 8:17). The church today focuses on counseling, reconciliation, and ultimately God's divine judgment for hidden deeds, as Christ Himself discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb 4:12-13).

Numbers 5 14 Commentary

Numbers 5:14 encapsulates the foundational premise for the unique ordeal of the bitter water in ancient Israel. It describes a profound domestic crisis rooted in intense suspicion – a "spirit of jealousy" that consumes a husband concerning his wife's fidelity, but for which there is no conclusive human evidence. The genius of this divine law lies in its dual purpose: to expose a hidden sin that could corrupt the community (if she is defiled) or, just as importantly, to clear an innocent woman's name from a baseless accusation, restoring peace to the marriage and community. In a patriarchal society without modern forensic means, this ritual was a divinely ordained mechanism for upholding justice and the sanctity of marriage, asserting that secret deeds are known to God and will be brought to light, whether for condemnation or vindication. It serves as a powerful theological statement about God's intimate knowledge and concern for righteousness and truth, even in the most private matters. While the ritual is no longer practiced, its principles remind us that hidden sins grieve God and that ultimately, all truth will be revealed by Him, offering both accountability and redemption.