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 5:19KJVWhat does Numbers 5:19 mean?
Numbers 5:19 describes the priest making a woman take an oath, declaring that if she has not slept with another man or been unfaithful to her husband, she will not be harmed by the bitter water used in this ritual. The verse is part of a ceremony to determine a wife's faithfulness if her husband suspects adultery but has no proof.
In this setting, the priest (a religious leader) speaks directly to the woman, charging her with an oath (a solemn promise) before God. The ritual involves "bitter water" that is believed to bring a curse if the woman is guilty of adultery. This process is meant to resolve suspicions in a marriage when there is no evidence, highlighting the seriousness of both the accusation and the oath.
The Hebrew behind Numbers 5:19
- Priest (כֹּהֵן, kohen): The kohen is the religious official overseeing the ceremony, emphasizing the formal and sacred nature of the process.
- Oath (שָׁבַע, shava): This word refers to a solemn vow or promise, showing that what the woman says is binding and taken very seriously.
- Aside (שָׂטָה, satah): This word means to turn aside or go astray, often used for unfaithfulness. It highlights that the accusation is about more than just physical adultery—it is about breaking trust.
- Uncleanness (טֻמְאָה, tum’ah): This term refers to ritual or moral impurity, underlining that the issue is not just social but also spiritual in the community’s eyes.
- Free (נָקִי, naqi): This word means to be innocent or exempt, making clear that the woman will not suffer harm from the water if she is telling the truth.
Why Numbers 5:19 matters
- Numbers 5:19 clarifies that the ritual is not automatic punishment but a test based on the woman's own oath and innocence, countering the idea that it was a form of arbitrary judgment.
- The verse shows the seriousness with which accusations of adultery were handled in ancient Israel, involving both legal and spiritual elements.
- Understanding this verse helps explain the broader passage, where the ritual is designed to resolve hidden suspicions and restore trust, rather than to shame or punish without cause.