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.

Where else these words appear

“lain” Hebrew H7903 · used in 4 verses

  • Leviticus 18:20 Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her.
  • Leviticus 18:23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
  • Leviticus 20:15 And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.

“aside” Hebrew H7847 · used in 6 verses

  • Numbers 5:12 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man's wife go aside, and commit a trespass against him,
  • Numbers 5:19 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:
  • Proverbs 4:15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

“beside” Hebrew H1107 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 14:24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
  • 2 Kings 18:25 Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.
  • Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

“defiled” Hebrew H2930 · used in 142 verses

  • Genesis 34:5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.
  • Leviticus 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
  • Deuteronomy 21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day;(for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.