Numbers 5 30

Numbers 5:30 kjv

Or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he be jealous over his wife, and shall set the woman before the LORD, and the priest shall execute upon her all this law.

Numbers 5:30 nkjv

or when the spirit of jealousy comes upon a man, and he becomes jealous of his wife; then he shall stand the woman before the LORD, and the priest shall execute all this law upon her.

Numbers 5:30 niv

or when feelings of jealousy come over a man because he suspects his wife. The priest is to have her stand before the LORD and is to apply this entire law to her.

Numbers 5:30 esv

or when the spirit of jealousy comes over a man and he is jealous of his wife. Then he shall set the woman before the LORD, and the priest shall carry out for her all this law.

Numbers 5:30 nlt

or if a man becomes jealous and is suspicious that his wife has been unfaithful, the husband must present his wife before the LORD, and the priest will apply this entire ritual law to her.

Numbers 5 verses

Numbers 5 30 Meaning

Numbers 5:30 specifies the divine command for the handling of a wife suspected of infidelity by her husband, particularly when the husband is overcome by an intense "spirit of jealousy" (רוּחַ קִנְאָה, ruach qin'ah) and lacks witnesses or conclusive proof. In such a situation, the law mandates that the priest is to take immediate action, presenting the accused woman before the LORD. This action initiates the divinely ordained ritual known as the "ordeal of bitter water," compelling the priest to administer "all this law" precisely as outlined in the preceding verses. The verse highlights God's provision for resolving deep marital suspicion, emphasizing that ultimate truth and justice in such unseen matters rest solely with Him, administered through His chosen priesthood.

Numbers 5 30 Context

Numbers chapter 5 opens a series of regulations concerning the purity and order of the Israelite camp, essential for God's holy presence to dwell among His people. It begins with the command to remove individuals afflicted by certain impurities (leprosy, discharge, contact with dead bodies), underscoring the necessity of a ritually clean camp. This is followed by instructions regarding restitution for wrongs committed, highlighting a theme of justice and holiness within community life. The "Ordeal of Bitter Water," detailed in Numbers 5:11-31, provides a unique divine legal procedure for a specific and highly sensitive marital situation: where a husband suspects his wife of infidelity but lacks tangible proof. Verse 30 concludes these instructions, reaffirming that when such an intense "spirit of jealousy" takes hold of a man, the priest's responsibility is to rigorously apply this prescribed law to bring the matter before the LORD for a divine verdict, rather than leaving it to human conjecture or violent accusation.

Numbers 5 30 Word analysis

• "or if a spirit of jealousy" (אוֹ אִישׁ, אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲבֹר עָלָיו רוּחַ קִנְאָה, ruach qin'ah):

  • ruach (רוּחַ): This word means "spirit," "wind," or "breath." Here, it signifies a powerful, internal disposition or a compelling force that overtakes a person, suggesting an emotion beyond ordinary feeling—almost a controlling influence.
  • qin'ah (קִנְאָה): Refers to "jealousy," "zeal," or "envy." While it can describe God's holy passion (zeal for His Name), here it points to an intense, consuming, human suspicion concerning a wife's fidelity.
  • Combined, ruach qin'ah describes a deeply seated and potent feeling of jealousy, so strong it can be described as a spirit that has "come upon" or seized the man.

• "comes upon him" (תַּעֲבֹר עָלָיו, ta'avor alav): Lit. "passes over him." This phrase emphasizes that the emotion is not a fleeting thought but a pervasive, seizing feeling that envelops the individual, suggesting that the husband is thoroughly gripped by suspicion.

• "and he is jealous of his wife; or if a spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he suspects his wife" (וְקִנֵּא, אֶת-אִשְׁתּוֹ; אוֹ-אִישׁ, אֲשֶׁר-תַּעֲבֹר עָלָיו רוּחַ קִנְאָה, וְקִנֵּא אֶת-אִשְׁתּוֹ): The repetition and variation (present in the Hebrew) are significant. The first part veqinne et ishto refers to the husband feeling jealous. The second, weqinneh et-ishto, translated "suspects his wife," implies that the jealousy has led to active, pervasive suspicion, even in the absence of evidence. This double emphasis highlights the severity and persistent nature of the husband's suspicion that necessitates the ritual, covering both the emotional state and its accusatory manifestation.

• "then the priest shall present" (וְהֶעֱמִיד, vehe'emid): From amad "to stand," hiphil form means "to make stand," "to set before." It emphasizes the priestly imperative and responsibility to physically bring the woman into God's presence, signifying that the case is now before the divine tribunal.

• "the woman before the LORD" (אֶת-הָאִשָּׁה, לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, et ha'isha lifnei Adonai): This phrase underscores that the entire procedure is a sacred act of appeal to God, placing the judgment and revelation of truth entirely in His hands, rather than human arbitration. God is the ultimate Judge.

• "and administer to her all this law" (וְעָשָׂה לָהּ הַכֹּהֵן, אֵת כָּל-הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת, ve'asa lah hakkohen et kol hattaurah hazzot): Lit. "and the priest shall do for her all this law." This confirms that the priest's role is not discretionary; he must faithfully and meticulously follow every prescribed step of the ritual detailed in Numbers 5:11-29. "All this law" specifically refers to the full process of the ordeal.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "or if a spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he is jealous of his wife; or if a spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he suspects his wife": This repetitive and emphatic phrasing underscores the profound, persistent, and unresolvable nature of the husband's suspicion without divine intervention. It accounts for both a deep emotional jealousy and its active manifestation as a belief in the wife's defilement, even without tangible evidence. This addresses a real-life situation where human evidence is insufficient, necessitating God's judgment.

• "then the priest shall present the woman before the LORD and administer to her all this law": This concluding phrase firmly places the resolution of such an intense, unsubstantiated marital dispute squarely within a divinely sanctioned framework. It elevates a deeply personal and potentially destructive accusation into a solemn sacred proceeding. The priest acts as the conduit, not the judge, ensuring that God Himself determines the truth and dispels doubt or confirms guilt, thereby upholding the sanctity of marriage and maintaining order within the community.

Numbers 5 30 Bonus section

The "Ordeal of Bitter Water" detailed in Numbers 5 is exceptionally unique among ancient Near Eastern legal codes because its ultimate judgment mechanism relies explicitly and solely on Yahweh's supernatural intervention, rather than circumstantial evidence, human witnesses, or physical torture common in other contemporary cultures. This placed the accused woman under God's direct arbitration, affording her a divine defense against potentially malicious or unsubstantiated accusations by her husband, safeguarding her from mere domestic suspicion leading to abandonment or execution. It also offered the husband a divinely ordained outlet for his profound distress, preventing him from resorting to self-help justice, domestic violence, or vengeful actions without proof. This meticulous, sacred process demonstrates God's deep concern for the integrity and sanctity of marriage within His covenant community, illustrating that even in the most private matters where human knowledge falls short, His divine justice and truth-revealing power are paramount to maintain moral order and purity within Israel. It served as a powerful deterrent against infidelity while providing clear pathways for dispute resolution rooted in a direct appeal to the Almighty.

Numbers 5 30 Commentary

Numbers 5:30 brings the complex "Ordeal of Bitter Water" to its legal conclusion, articulating the trigger for the entire procedure. It identifies the husband's deep-seated "spirit of jealousy" – a powerful, consuming suspicion of infidelity without proof – as the necessary condition for divine intervention. This specific phrasing highlights that it's not merely casual doubt, but an intense, inner turmoil that necessitates an appeal to God. The immediate consequence of such a state is the mandatory action by the priest: to present the woman before the LORD and perform "all this law." This emphasizes that the matter is placed under God's direct jurisdiction. The ritual provided a mechanism for vindication for the innocent and divine judgment for the guilty, protecting individuals from unfounded accusations while ensuring marital faithfulness was held accountable before the Holy God of Israel. It represents a divine provision for seeking truth and justice in the absence of human evidence, illustrating God's concern for marital sanctity and His readiness to reveal what is hidden.

• Practical usage:
  • This passage underscores the destructive potential of unchecked jealousy and suspicion in relationships, demonstrating why such emotions demand serious attention and truth.
  • It highlights the principle that ultimately, hidden actions and inner truths are revealed before God, offering both warning for the unfaithful and vindication for the righteous.
  • It exemplifies the ancient biblical understanding of priesthood as mediating divine judgment and upholding God's covenantal laws within society.