Numbers 5 19

Numbers 5:19 kjv

And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse:

Numbers 5:19 nkjv

And the priest shall put her under oath, and say to the woman, "If no man has lain with you, and if you have not gone astray to uncleanness while under your husband's authority, be free from this bitter water that brings a curse.

Numbers 5:19 niv

Then the priest shall put the woman under oath and say to her, "If no other man has had sexual relations with you and you have not gone astray and become impure while married to your husband, may this bitter water that brings a curse not harm you.

Numbers 5:19 esv

Then the priest shall make her take an oath, saying, 'If no man has lain with you, and if you have not turned aside to uncleanness while you were under your husband's authority, be free from this water of bitterness that brings the curse.

Numbers 5:19 nlt

The priest will then put the woman under oath and say to her, 'If no other man has had sex with you, and you have not gone astray and defiled yourself while under your husband's authority, may you be immune from the effects of this bitter water that brings on the curse.

Numbers 5 verses

Numbers 5 19 Meaning

Numbers 5:19 outlines the priest's initial pronouncement in the ordeal of the suspected adulteress. It details the conditions for the woman's immunity if she is found innocent. The verse sets forth a solemn oath, administered by the priest, to ascertain whether the woman has been unfaithful. If no man has had sexual relations with her, and she has not violated her marital covenant by going astray into impurity, then she is declared immune from the harmful effects of the "water of bitterness that brings a curse." This act initiates a divine judgment process designed to reveal hidden sin or confirm innocence, underscoring God's absolute knowledge and commitment to purity within the community.

Numbers 5 19 Context

Numbers chapter 5 details various laws concerning the purity of the Israelite camp, essential because God's presence dwelt among them in the tabernacle. The chapter begins with commands to remove those ritually unclean due to skin diseases, bodily discharges, or contact with the dead, ensuring the holy space remains undefiled (vv. 1-4). This is followed by regulations concerning restitution for sins committed against others, highlighting the need for repentance and atonement (vv. 5-10). The latter part of the chapter, starting from verse 11, specifically addresses the "law of jealousy" or the ordeal for a woman suspected of adultery. This ritual provided a divinely appointed method for discerning truth in a highly sensitive and potentially unprovable accusation where there were no witnesses. The historical-cultural context for the original audience reveals that while other ancient Near Eastern cultures had forms of ordeal, the Israelite "sotah" ritual was distinct: it focused on divine revelation of truth, the consequences were linked directly to God's judgment rather than random chance, and the process was not automatically fatal for the accused, particularly if innocent. It served as a means to uphold marital fidelity, family honor, and the purity of the community in the absence of tangible proof.

Numbers 5 19 Word analysis

• Then the priest shall put her under oath: This marks the initiation of the solemn judicial process.

  • Priest (כֹּהֵן - kohen): Refers to the Aaronite priest, functioning here not merely as a ritual officiant but as a divine representative and judge in a unique legal procedure. The priest mediates God's truth. This highlights the religious and theological nature of the Israelite legal system.
  • Put her under oath (הִשְׁבִּיעַ - hishbiy`a): This verbal form means "to cause one to swear" or "to adjure." It implies compelling someone to take a solemn vow, invoking God as witness and enforcer. This makes the truthfulness of her response binding before the Almighty, demonstrating the extreme gravity of the situation and the reliance on divine justice.

• and say to the woman, 'If no man has lain with you': This is the direct challenge regarding physical infidelity.

  • No man has lain with you (אִישׁ לֹא שָׁכַב אֹתָךְ - ish lo shakháv otakh): "To lie with" (שָׁכַב - shakhav) is a common euphemism for sexual intercourse in Hebrew Scripture. This phrasing directly addresses physical adultery, emphasizing the exclusive nature of the marital bed and the seriousness of its violation.

• and if you have not gone astray into uncleanness, being under your husband: This broadens the scope from a specific act to a state of being or general moral deviation.

  • Gone astray (שָׂטִית - satit): From the root סטה (saṭah), meaning "to turn aside," "deviate," "swerve," or "go out of the way." Here, it signifies straying from the path of fidelity and righteousness within the marital covenant. It can imply not just a singular act but a process or state of moral wandering.
  • Uncleanness (טֻמְאָה - ṭum’ah): This refers to ritual or moral defilement. In this context, it signifies sexual impurity or defilement through unfaithfulness, which impacts both personal holiness and the purity of the community.
  • Being under your husband (תַּחַת אִישֵׁךְ - tachat ishekh): Literally "under your man." This phrase refers to the marital authority and relational framework where the wife is accountable for fidelity within the covenant of marriage. It signifies her commitment to him, implying loyalty, obedience in marital matters, and exclusivity.

• be immune to this water of bitterness that brings a curse': This declares the consequence of innocence.

  • Immune (נְקִיָּה - neqiyah): From the root נקה (naqah), meaning "to be clean," "innocent," "acquitted," or "guiltless." If she passes this test, she is free from blame and from the negative effects of the ritual. It conveys complete exoneration and purity.
  • Water of bitterness (מֵי הַמָּרִים - mey hamarim): Literally "waters of the bitter things/bitternesses." The "bitterness" refers both to its unpleasant taste and, more importantly, to the symbolic bitterness of divine judgment and the curse that it could bring if guilty. This water is the agent through which divine judgment is manifested.
  • Brings a curse (הַמְאָרְרִים - hame’ar’rim): This describes the function of the water. The active participle means "the causing to curse" or "the ones causing a curse." It clearly links the water to the activation of a divine curse, ensuring that the ordeal is not magical superstition but an act where God directly intervenes to apply justice.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Priest... put her under oath and say to the woman": Establishes the divine authority and formal, legal-religious nature of the proceeding. It’s not an informal accusation but a structured, sacred inquiry. The priest serves as God's legal agent.
  • "If no man has lain with you and if you have not gone astray into uncleanness, being under your husband": This is the precise condition of innocence, defining both the physical act of adultery and a broader moral straying from the covenantal fidelity within marriage. The repeated "if" clauses present a clear choice: innocence or guilt, with specific criteria. The reference to being "under your husband" reiterates the unique marital bond and its required loyalty.
  • "be immune to this water of bitterness that brings a curse": This is the core declaration of acquittal for the innocent. It contrasts the water's potential harmful effects with the divinely granted protection. The "water of bitterness that brings a curse" is revealed as the instrument of divine truth-telling, becoming an agent of blessing for the innocent or a curse for the guilty.

Numbers 5 19 Bonus section

• The sotah ritual, beginning with this oath, stands in stark contrast to pagan ordeals which often relied on human trickery, chance, or brought harm even to the innocent. The Israelite ritual explicitly states the priest's role as one who inquires from God, and the outcome depends solely on divine intervention based on truth, not ritual magic alone.
• The meticulous nature of the ritual reflects the high value placed on the sanctity of marriage and family within the Mosaic Law, recognizing it as foundational to a healthy and holy society. The emphasis on fidelity underscores the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where Israel is likened to a wife to God (e.g., Jer 3:1-14; Ezek 16:1-63). Unfaithfulness in marriage mirrored spiritual unfaithfulness to God.
• This procedure illustrates the biblical concept of God's omniscience and His ability to expose even the most concealed sins. It foreshadows later biblical themes where nothing is hidden from God’s sight, and He will judge the secrets of men (e.g., Heb 4:13).
• The ritual's primary purpose was likely deterrent. Knowing such an ordeal existed, women would be less likely to commit adultery and accusers would be less likely to make baseless claims, knowing a divine intervention would clarify the truth.
• The "water of bitterness that brings a curse" serves as a type or foreshadowing of Christ, who on the cross became a curse for us (Gal 3:13), taking upon Himself the "bitterness" of judgment so that those innocent (by faith in Him) can be immune to spiritual condemnation.

Numbers 5 19 Commentary

Numbers 5:19 functions as the pivotal declaratory oath in the trial of jealousy, directly confronting the accused woman with the charge and offering a pathway to vindication. This verse emphasizes the extraordinary lengths to which God was willing to go to establish truth and maintain holiness within His covenant people, especially concerning the sanctity of marriage. Unlike typical human justice which relies on witnesses, this trial addresses a hidden sin where no direct evidence exists. The solemnity of the priest administering the oath before God highlights the divine oversight of the entire process; it is not a crude superstition but a holy judgment. The distinct terms "lain with you" for physical infidelity and "gone astray into uncleanness, being under your husband" for broader moral defilement show a nuanced understanding of sin against the marriage covenant. This specific wording gives the woman a clear chance to affirm her faithfulness, under divine witness. The immediate consequence of an "immune" status for the innocent pre-empts any fear or shame, demonstrating God’s protection of the righteous. This provision for justice underscores that God's justice is not only punitive but also protective and vindicating. The ordeal stands as a powerful deterrent to secret sin and a source of divine reassurance for the wrongfully accused within the Israelite community.