And the priest shall take an handful of the offering, even the memorial thereof, and burn it upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water.

NUMBERS 5:26KJV
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Numbers 5:26 (KJV)

What does Numbers 5:26 mean?

Numbers 5:26 describes how the priest takes a handful of the woman’s offering, burns it on the altar as a memorial, and then has the woman drink the prepared water. This is part of a ritual for a woman suspected of adultery, following the detailed instructions given earlier in the passage.

In this setting, Moses is recording God’s instructions to the Israelites about how to handle cases where a husband suspects his wife of unfaithfulness but has no proof. The priest acts as a mediator, taking a portion of the woman’s grain offering (called a “memorial”) and burning it on the altar before giving her the special water to drink. This act is a key step in the ritual, marking the transition from the offering to the test itself.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 5:26

  • handful (קֹמֶץ, qometz): This word means a literal handful, showing that the priest takes only a portion of the offering, not all of it. This small amount is set aside as a special part of the ritual.
  • memorial (אַזְכָּרָה, azkarah): The “memorial” is the part of the offering that is burned to bring the woman’s situation before God. This highlights the seriousness of the ritual and its focus on God’s judgment.
  • burn (קָטַר, qatar): This verb means to burn or offer up in smoke, emphasizing that the offering is being given to God as part of the process.
  • altar (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach): The altar is the place of sacrifice in the tabernacle, reminding the reader that this is a sacred act, not just a legal procedure.

Why Numbers 5:26 matters

  • Numbers 5:26 clarifies that the ritual is not just about accusation but involves a formal, public process with offerings and priestly oversight, showing respect for both the woman and the seriousness of the charge.
  • The verse connects the ritual to the altar and the act of burning a memorial, underlining that the outcome is placed in God’s hands rather than being decided by human suspicion alone.
  • This verse helps the reader see how the ritual fits into the larger system of offerings and priestly duties in ancient Israel, linking personal disputes to communal worship and divine justice.

Where else these words appear

“handful” Hebrew H7061 · used in 3 verses

  • Leviticus 2:2 And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD:
  • Leviticus 5:12 Then shall he bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it, even a memorial thereof, and burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: it is a sin offering.

“memorial” Hebrew H234 · used in 7 verses

  • Leviticus 2:2 And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD:
  • Leviticus 2:16 And the priest shall burn the memorial of it, part of the beaten corn thereof, and part of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
  • Leviticus 6:15 And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meat offering, and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour, even the memorial of it, unto the LORD.

“drink” Hebrew H8248 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 2:6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
  • Genesis 40:20 And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.
  • Psalms 60:3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

“burn” Hebrew H6999 · used in 112 verses

  • Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.
  • Leviticus 9:20 And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:
  • 2 Chronicles 28:4 He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.