Numbers 5 25

Numbers 5:25 kjv

Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the offering before the LORD, and offer it upon the altar:

Numbers 5:25 nkjv

Then the priest shall take the grain offering of jealousy from the woman's hand, shall wave the offering before the LORD, and bring it to the altar;

Numbers 5:25 niv

The priest is to take from her hands the grain offering for jealousy, wave it before the LORD and bring it to the altar.

Numbers 5:25 esv

And the priest shall take the grain offering of jealousy out of the woman's hand and shall wave the grain offering before the LORD and bring it to the altar.

Numbers 5:25 nlt

"The priest will take the jealousy offering from the woman's hand, lift it up before the LORD, and carry it to the altar.

Numbers 5 verses

Numbers 5 25 Meaning

Numbers 5:25 describes a critical action within the ritual concerning a woman suspected of adultery, often referred to as the "sotah" (suspected woman) ordeal. In this specific verse, the priest takes the jealousy offering—a special grain offering—from the woman’s hand. He then waves it before the Lord, signifying its presentation to God, and subsequently brings it to the altar, making it part of the sacred proceedings that appeal to divine justice regarding the unproven suspicion of her fidelity. This act solemnizes the ritual, placing the matter squarely under the Lord's direct purview and judgment.

Numbers 5 25 Context

Numbers chapter 5 opens with instructions regarding the purity of the camp of Israel, dealing with lepers, discharges, and ritual defilement by a corpse. It then transitions to restitution for wrongs committed and finally, from verse 11 to 31, details the specific and unique ritual of the "jealousy offering" for a woman suspected of adultery.

The immediate context for verse 25 is this intricate legal and religious procedure designed to resolve a husband's unproven suspicion of his wife's infidelity. Unlike civil courts, which require multiple witnesses, this divine ordeal addresses cases where evidence is circumstantial or lacking. The ritual provides a structured pathway for seeking divine intervention and truth, acknowledging that God alone sees and judges the hidden matters of the heart. The entire process aims to confirm innocence, expose guilt, and maintain the moral and spiritual purity of the covenant community by invoking God's direct judgment, thus providing justice where human means might fail. Historically and culturally, while other ancient Near Eastern societies practiced various forms of ordeals (e.g., river ordeals), the Israelite "sotah" ritual is distinctive. It avoids physical harm in the process and emphasizes a direct appeal to YHWH's sovereign truth, establishing Him as the ultimate judge over secret sins, in contrast to the capricious deities or brutal practices of surrounding cultures.

Numbers 5 25 Word analysis

• And the priest (וְלָקַח הַכֹּהֵן - ve·la·qakh hak·ko·hen):

  • Priest (הַכֹּהֵן - hak·ko·hen): Refers to the Aaronite priest, the mediator of God's law and rituals. His role is central, acting as God's representative in sacred procedures, ensuring the correct performance of divine commands. He facilitates the direct encounter between the supplicant and God's justice.

• shall take (וְלָקַח - ve·la·qakh):

  • Take (לָקַח - laqach): A common Hebrew verb meaning to take, receive, or grasp. In this context, it signifies the priest physically receiving the offering from the woman, transferring its ownership and purpose to the sacred realm. It's a precise ritualistic act.

• the jealousy offering (אֶת־מִנְחַת הַקְּנָאֹת - et-min·khat haq·qena·'ot):

  • Jealousy offering (מִנְחַת הַקְּנָאֹת - minḥat haqqinʾāh): A "grain offering of jealousy."
    • Minḥah (מִנְחָה): A grain offering or tribute. In this ritual, it's distinct: made of barley flour, with no oil or frankincense (Num 5:15), symbolizing humility, affliction, sorrow, or perhaps the "plainness" of a suspected (but unproven) situation, contrasting with offerings that convey blessing or joy. It serves as a reminder of the distress involved.
    • Qinʾāh (קִנְאָה): Translated as "jealousy," "zeal," "ardor," or "passion." It can describe divine zeal for holiness (Ex 20:5; 34:14) or human suspicion. Here, it denotes the husband's intense, though possibly baseless, suspicion, a driving force behind seeking divine arbitration. The offering embodies the emotional gravity of the situation.

• out of the woman's hand (מִיַּד הָאִשָּׁה - miy·yad hā·'iš·šāh):

  • Woman's hand (יַד הָאִשָּׁה - yad hāʾiššāh): Emphasizes her personal involvement and participation in the ritual. She personally presents the offering, signifying her readiness to submit to divine judgment. This highlights the woman as the central figure of the suspicion and the focus of the Lord's scrutiny.

• and wave the offering (וְהֵנִיף אֶת־הַמִּנְחָה - ve·he·niyf et-ham·min·khah):

  • Wave (הֵנִיף - heniyp): The verb nûph, referring to the "wave offering" (tenûphah). This ritual gesture involves moving the offering back and forth or up and down before the Lord. It signifies a solemn presentation, dedication, and sometimes, a turning over or returning of the offering to God, thereby consecrating it to Him. It ritualistically moves the offering into the divine presence for acceptance or judgment, symbolizing its transfer from the human realm to God's authority.

• before the Lord (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה - lif·ney Yah·weh):

  • Before the Lord (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה - lipney YHVH): Means "in the presence of YHVH (God's covenant name)." This phrase underscores that the entire ordeal is not a human trial but a divine tribunal. It indicates that God is the ultimate judge, overseeing the procedure and rendering a verdict based on His knowledge and justice, far beyond human ability to ascertain truth in secret matters.

• and bring it to the altar (וְהִגִּישׁ אֹתָהּ אֶל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ - ve·hig·gish o·tah el-ham·miz·be·akh):

  • Bring (הִגִּישׁ - higgîš): To cause to approach or to bring near. It signifies the culmination of the offering's presentation, formally placing it at the consecrated place of divine encounter.
  • Altar (מִזְבֵּחַ - mizbeaḥ): The altar of burnt offering, the central place of sacrifice and encounter with God in the tabernacle/temple. Bringing the offering here solidifies its status as a consecrated item directly presented to God, awaiting His disposition. The altar is where reconciliation occurs, but also where judgment is symbolically invoked.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And the priest shall take...and wave...and bring it to the altar": This sequence highlights the systematic nature of Israelite ritual. It emphasizes the priest's active, mediating role at each step – from receiving the offering to presenting it, ensuring the sanctity and proper procedure of the divine trial. Each action moves the sacred process forward, demonstrating careful adherence to God's prescribed method for addressing the serious issue of covenant purity.
• "the jealousy offering out of the woman's hand... before the Lord": This phrase links the human condition (suspicion, the woman's plight) directly to divine arbitration. The offering, originating from the human situation and presented by the woman, is brought before God Himself, acknowledging His sovereignty as the discerner of all hidden truths and His ultimate authority to resolve disputes beyond human evidence.

Numbers 5 25 Bonus section

The "sotah" ritual, exemplified in Numbers 5, stands out from other ancient Near Eastern ordeals primarily because it does not involve physical torture or the use of potentially lethal means (like forcing the accused to jump into a swift river). Instead, the Israelite ordeal relies on God’s direct intervention through natural consequences of ingesting "bitter water" that causes a specific effect (bloating, wasting away) only if guilty, and brings blessing (fertility) if innocent. This distinction highlights the Lord's just and non-violent character, prioritizing revelation of truth without barbaric measures. Furthermore, this ritual served not only as a divine truth-telling mechanism but also as a powerful deterrent. Knowing that a private sin could be exposed by divine intervention encouraged fidelity and purity within the marriage covenant and the wider community, fostering moral integrity within the Lord's covenant people. The detailed, meticulous nature of the ritual itself emphasizes the extreme gravity and sanctity with which unfaithfulness within a marriage was viewed in ancient Israel, as it potentially violated the covenant both between spouses and with God.

Numbers 5 25 Commentary

Numbers 5:25 encapsulates a crucial phase of the jealousy ordeal, an extraordinary ritual that underscores the Lord's unique role as the ultimate judge of concealed actions. This specific action by the priest – taking the offering from the woman's hand, waving it before the Lord, and bringing it to the altar – formalizes the appeal for divine intervention. It shifts the case from a human realm of suspicion to a divine courtroom, where God's omniscience is invoked to determine guilt or innocence in a situation lacking physical witnesses. The barren grain offering signifies the bitterness and sorrow associated with suspicion and impurity, while the act of waving conveys a total presentation and consecration to God. This ritual provides a divine means of recourse for a wronged or unjustly accused party, functioning as a deterrent to secret sin and a guardian of covenant purity, relying on God’s power to make truth manifest through non-harmful means. It reflects the value of fidelity within marriage and the sanctity of the Israelite community, under God’s vigilant oversight.