But if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee beside thine husband:

NUMBERS 5:20KJV
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Numbers 5:20 (KJV)

What does Numbers 5:20 mean?

Numbers 5:20 describes a situation where a married woman has been unfaithful to her husband by having sexual relations with another man, which would make her "defiled" according to the law. This verse is part of a ritual for determining whether a woman has committed adultery, emphasizing the seriousness of marital faithfulness in ancient Israel.

In this passage, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about how to handle cases where a husband suspects his wife of unfaithfulness but has no proof. The priest is speaking these words as part of an oath the woman must take, laying out the specific accusation: that she has "gone aside" to another man. The verse sets the stage for the rest of the ritual, which is meant to reveal the truth in a situation where human witnesses are lacking.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 5:20

  • The word "aside" is שָׂטָה (satáh), which means to turn away or deviate. Here, it refers to a woman turning away from her marriage commitment.
  • "Defiled" is טָמֵא (tamé), meaning to become ritually or morally unclean. This word signals that adultery was seen not just as a betrayal but as something that made a person unfit for participation in the community's religious life.
  • "Husband" and "man" are both אִישׁ (ish), a general word for "man" or "husband." The context determines whether it refers to the woman's spouse or another man.
  • "Lain" is שָׁכַב (shakav), meaning to lie down, often used as a euphemism for sexual relations. This makes the accusation explicit.

Why Numbers 5:20 matters

  • Numbers 5:20 clarifies that the ritual addresses not just suspicion but a specific act—sexual unfaithfulness—which was a serious offense in Israelite society.
  • The verse shows the importance of both justice and mercy in ancient law, providing a way to address accusations without immediate punishment or violence.
  • By using precise language for "defiled" and "aside," the verse highlights how ancient Israel viewed marriage as a sacred covenant, with clear boundaries and consequences for breaking them.