Numbers 5:12 (KJV)

What does Numbers 5:12 mean?

Numbers 5:12 gives Moses instructions from God to speak to the Israelites about what should happen if a man suspects his wife has been unfaithful to him. The verse introduces a situation where a wife "goes aside" and commits a wrong against her husband, setting up a process for addressing suspicion of adultery.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, who is then to relay these instructions to the people of Israel. The context is a set of laws about purity and faithfulness within marriage, specifically dealing with cases where there is suspicion but not clear evidence. The phrase "go aside" signals a departure from marital faithfulness, and "commit a trespass" refers to breaking trust or committing an offense against the husband.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 5:12

• "Go aside" (שָׂטָה, satáh): This word often means to deviate or turn away, especially in a moral or relational sense. Here, it points to a wife straying from her marital commitment, not just physically but in loyalty.
• "Commit a trespass" (מַעַל, ma‘al): This term carries the idea of acting unfaithfully or breaking trust. In this context, it highlights that the suspected act is not just a private matter but a breach of the relationship's covenant.

Why Numbers 5:12 matters

• Numbers 5:12 clarifies that even suspicion of unfaithfulness was taken seriously in ancient Israel, with a specific process to address it rather than leaving it to rumor or private judgment.
• The verse sets the stage for the following instructions about the ritual for a suspected unfaithful wife, showing the importance of both justice and protecting individuals from false accusations.
• Understanding the original words for "go aside" and "commit a trespass" helps readers see that the concern is both about physical actions and the deeper issue of broken trust within marriage.