Numbers 5:16-22 | The Way of Scripture

Numbers 5:16-22

What does the oath ask the Lord to decide?

Berean Standard Bible

16 The priest is to bring the wife forward and have her stand before the LORD. 17 Then he is to take some holy water in a clay jar and put some of the dust from the tabernacle floor into the water. 18 After the priest has the woman stand before the LORD, he is to let down her hair and place in her hands the grain offering of memorial, which is the grain offering for jealousy. The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse. 19 And he is to put the woman under oath and say to her, ‘If no other man has slept with you and you have not gone astray and become defiled while under your husband’s authority, may you be immune to this bitter water that brings a curse. 20 But if you have gone astray while under your husband’s authority and have defiled yourself and lain carnally with a man other than your husband’— 21 and the priest shall have the woman swear under the oath of the curse—‘then may the LORD make you an attested curse among your people by making your thigh shrivel and your belly swell. 22 May this water that brings a curse enter your stomach and cause your belly to swell and your thigh to shrivel.’ Then the woman is to say, ‘Amen, Amen.’

What is the context?

The priest brings the woman before the Lord with water in a clay vessel and dust from the tabernacle floor. Her hair is let down, and she holds the grain offering while the priest holds the water.

The oath distinguishes innocence from unfaithfulness. The curse asks the Lord to bring the stated bodily consequence if she has been unfaithful; the innocent woman is to be immune. Her doubled Amen assents to the oath’s conditions. The issue is not resolved by the husband’s suspicion alone.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley takes the water’s effect as depending on God’s action rather than an ordinary natural power in the ingredients. The USCCB notes explain becoming an attested curse as a person’s misfortune becoming a form used in later curses. These readings concern an appeal for divine judgment; the text does not provide a tested chemical explanation for the result.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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