Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the offering before the LORD, and offer it upon the altar:

NUMBERS 5:25KJV
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Numbers 5:25 (KJV)

What does Numbers 5:25 mean?

Numbers 5:25 describes how the priest takes the "jealousy offering" from the woman's hand, waves it before the LORD, and then places it on the altar as part of a ritual. This is a step in a ceremony meant to address accusations of adultery, showing the offering is formally presented to God.

In this part of the book of Numbers, God is giving Moses instructions for a ritual to resolve cases where a husband suspects his wife of unfaithfulness but has no proof. The priest acts as a mediator, taking the offering from the woman and performing a symbolic gesture ("waving" the offering) before placing it on the altar. This act shows the seriousness of the accusation and that the matter is being entrusted to God for judgment.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 5:25

  • "Jealousy" (קְנָאָה, qena'ah): This word refers to the emotion of jealousy or zeal, highlighting that the offering is connected to suspicions of marital unfaithfulness.
  • "Wave" (נָפַף, naphaph): The act of waving the offering before the LORD is a ritual gesture, often understood as presenting or dedicating the gift to God in a visible, public way.
  • "Offering" (מִנְחָה, minchah): This term means a grain offering, not an animal sacrifice. It emphasizes that the ritual is about seeking God's judgment, not atonement for sin.

Why Numbers 5:25 matters

  • Numbers 5:25 clarifies that the ritual is not just a private matter but a formal, public act involving the priest and the community, showing the seriousness of accusations of adultery.
  • The verse highlights the role of the priest as an impartial mediator, not taking sides but following a set procedure to bring the matter before God.
  • Understanding the specific actions—taking, waving, and offering—shows that the ritual was meant to visibly demonstrate trust in God's justice rather than relying on human judgment alone.

Where else these words appear

“wave” Hebrew H5130 · used in 35 verses

  • Exodus 20:25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
  • Leviticus 14:24 And the priest shall take the lamb of the trespass offering, and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD:
  • Joshua 8:31 As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

“jealousy” Hebrew H7068 · used in 41 verses

  • Numbers 5:14 And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:
  • Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
  • Ezekiel 5:13 Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken it in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.