Numbers 5 17

Numbers 5:17 kjv

And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:

Numbers 5:17 nkjv

The priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel, and take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water.

Numbers 5:17 niv

Then he shall take some holy water in a clay jar and put some dust from the tabernacle floor into the water.

Numbers 5:17 esv

And the priest shall take holy water in an earthenware vessel and take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water.

Numbers 5:17 nlt

He must take some holy water in a clay jar and pour into it dust he has taken from the Tabernacle floor.

Numbers 5 verses

Numbers 5 17 Meaning

Numbers 5:17 describes the priest's preparation for the "bitter water that brings a curse," a unique ritual designed to reveal the truth concerning a woman accused of unproven adultery. This verse specifies two essential ingredients for the concoction: consecrated water and dust gathered from the very floor of the tabernacle. These elements, while outwardly mundane, become sanctified tools for divine justice when prepared and administered by the priest, facilitating God's direct intervention in discerning a hidden matter of purity and fidelity within the community.

Numbers 5 17 Context

Numbers Chapter 5 primarily deals with the maintenance of holiness and purity within the Israelite camp. It begins by outlining rules for expelling individuals who are ritually unclean due to serious defilement (e.g., leprosy, discharge, touching a dead body) to protect the sanctity of God's dwelling place in the midst of His people (Num 5:1-4). Following this, it addresses restitution for wrongs committed against others, emphasizing justice and restoration (Num 5:5-10).

The verses immediately preceding 5:17 (Num 5:11-16) introduce the specific and unusual case of the "law of jealousy," an ordeal for a husband who suspects his wife of adultery but has no witnesses or definitive proof. In an ancient society lacking advanced forensic methods, such a situation could lead to irreparable domestic discord, false accusations, or vigilante justice. God, in His wisdom and sovereignty, provides a direct means for divine intervention. This ritual underscores the paramount importance of marital fidelity and the purity of the community in God's eyes. It is not a common court procedure but a unique sacred test, an "ordeal by God," to determine the truth in hidden matters.

Numbers 5 17 Word Analysis

• and the priest: הַכֹּהֵן (HaKohen) – This refers specifically to the authorized, consecrated priest of Israel. His role is not merely a formality but is critical to mediating God's presence and judgment. He is God's representative in sacred actions, underscoring that this is a divine, not human, judgment. The emphasis on "the" priest implies a specific, consecrated individual performing a holy task.
• shall take: וְלָקַח (VeLaqach) – This verb means "and he shall take" or "and he took." It denotes a deliberate, active gathering of the specified components, emphasizing that the priest is performing an intentional, prescribed action within the sacred ritual.
• holy water: מַיִם קֹדֶשׁ (Mayim Qodesh) – Literally, "water of holiness." This water is not inherently magical, nor is it explicitly described as "living water" (spring water) here. Its holiness derives from its designation for this specific sacred ritual. It signifies that even a common substance becomes set apart and imbued with sacred purpose when dedicated to God's service and will. This "holy" aspect contributes to the ritual's solemnity and connects it directly to God's presence.
• in an earthenware vessel: בִּכְלִי־חֶרֶשׂ (Bikeli-Cheres) – "in a vessel of pottery/clay." Earthenware vessels were common, inexpensive, and fragile in ancient Israel. In ritual contexts, particularly concerning defilement, earthenware vessels often could not be purified and had to be broken (Lev 6:28, Lev 11:33, 15:12). Their expendability and commonness contrast sharply with the sacredness of the ritual and God's power. It highlights that the efficacy of the ordeal comes from God, not from the value or prestige of the container, emphasizing divine power over human elements. It could also symbolize the frailty of the human body that may be subject to judgment.
• and take some of the dust: וְלָקַח מִן־הֶעָפָר (VeLaqach min-He'afar) – "and he shall take from the dust." This is not just any dirt but specifically noted as being "from the floor of the tabernacle," which imparts unique significance. The inclusion of dust connects this divine judgment to human origin (formed from dust, Gen 2:7) and destiny (return to dust, Gen 3:19). It also represents the most "base" and common element within the most holy structure, symbolizing God's all-encompassing knowledge and judgment, even over the smallest, seemingly insignificant things.
• that is on the floor: אֲשֶׁר עַל־רִצְפַּת (Asher 'al-Ritzpat) – "which is upon the pavement/floor." This precision emphasizes that the dust is specifically gathered from the sanctuary floor, linking it directly to the presence of God. This detail elevates common dust to a consecrated component of a divine test.
• of the tabernacle: הַמִּשְׁכָּן (HaMishkan) – "the dwelling place." This refers to God's holy dwelling place where He manifested His presence among Israel. Collecting dust from here signifies that God Himself, residing within this sacred space, is the ultimate judge and the source of the test's efficacy. The physical dirt of God's house symbolizes God's direct involvement in judging secret actions that defile the purity of His people and the camp.
• and put it into the water: וְנָתַן אֶל־הַמַּיִם (VeNatan 'el-HaMayim) – "and he shall give/put into the water." This is the mixing act, dissolving the dust into the "holy water." This mixture becomes the "bitter water that brings a curse." The "bitterness" is not necessarily a literal taste from the dust, but a symbolic, divine bitterness of judgment or curse. This combination highlights God's ability to use simple elements to convey profound divine judgment.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "holy water in an earthenware vessel": This phrase combines a sacred element (holy water) with a humble, common container (earthenware vessel). This juxtaposition highlights that the power and efficacy of the ritual are not inherent in the material components or their container, but reside solely in the divine sanction and God's activity. The fragility of the vessel might symbolize the fragile nature of a person's life or marriage under the weight of such a test, and how readily it could be "broken" by God's judgment if guilt is present. The holiness of the water is a functional holiness for the rite, demonstrating that ordinary things can be set apart for divine purposes.

• "dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle": This specific instruction indicates that the dust is not arbitrary; it possesses symbolic significance because it is gathered from God's dwelling place. The "dust" connects back to creation and mortality, reminding humanity of its humble origin and vulnerability before God (Gen 2:7, Gen 3:19). By using dust from the very floor of His presence, God signifies that He oversees and judges even the hidden and seemingly insignificant aspects of life, as well as the deep, fundamental nature of human purity and fidelity. This dust represents a physical embodiment of divine justice, indicating that the sacred ground itself witnesses truth.

Numbers 5 17 Bonus section

• The ritual's presence in the Mosaic Law speaks to the practical realities and challenges of maintaining moral order in a community, especially concerning hidden sins like secret adultery which could sow deep discord and undermine the social fabric without recourse. God's provision demonstrates His active engagement in upholding justice and truth within His covenant people.
• This specific ordeal acts as a legal and theological safeguard, protecting both the woman from unfounded accusations (as an innocent woman would be vindicated and be able to conceive, Num 5:28) and the sanctity of marriage from concealed defilement. It underscores God's deep concern for covenant relationships and purity within the camp, where His very presence dwelled.
• The contrast between the holy (God's presence, the priest, consecrated water) and the mundane (dust, earthenware vessel) is stark yet intentional. It signifies God's ability to use ordinary elements to execute His extraordinary, righteous judgments. The act of mixing symbolizes how divine truth permeates all aspects of existence.
• This "water of bitterness that brings a curse" is entirely different from the "living water" imagery in the New Testament (e.g., Jn 4:10-14, Rev 22:1). The water here brings a curse (for the guilty) or blessing (for the innocent), while "living water" brings eternal life. This distinction reinforces the old covenant's focus on tangible, immediate judgment for sin, contrasting with the new covenant's emphasis on spiritual renewal and grace.

Numbers 5 17 Commentary

Numbers 5:17 details a crucial step in the ancient Israelite ritual known as the "ordeal of jealousy," a divine test for a woman suspected of adultery in the absence of human witnesses. The priest's preparation involves two key elements: "holy water" and "dust from the floor of the tabernacle," placed together in a simple earthenware vessel. The water is "holy" not because of its intrinsic properties, but because it is consecrated and set apart for this divine purpose, becoming an instrument through which God acts. The inclusion of "dust from the floor of the tabernacle" carries profound symbolism. It signifies that even the most common and lowest substance within God's sacred dwelling place is imbued with His presence and becomes a tool for divine revelation. This dust represents God's pervasive knowledge, reaching even the most concealed sins, and links the test to the earth itself as a witness to righteousness or unrighteousness.

This combination underscores that the power of the ritual lies entirely with God; it is not based on magic, human manipulation, or any inherent property of the components, but solely on God's just intervention. The simplicity of the earthenware vessel further emphasizes this, as its commonness and fragility point away from any human or material strength and towards God's sovereignty. The bitter water is prepared for God's judgment to be dispensed, designed to either vindicate the innocent woman and ensure the purity of the Israelite community, or to reveal the guilt of the unfaithful, maintaining the integrity of marriage and covenant holiness within God's people. This ritual highlights God's profound commitment to justice, purity, and marital fidelity, providing a unique divine recourse when human justice falls short due to lack of evidence.