Numbers 5:29 (KJV)

What does Numbers 5:29 mean?

Numbers 5:29 sets out the law concerning jealousy, specifically when a husband suspects his wife of being unfaithful and she is believed to have been defiled by going to another man. This verse summarizes the legal procedure for addressing such suspicions within Israelite society.

In this part of the book of Numbers, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about how to handle cases where a husband suspects his wife of adultery but there is no direct evidence. The verse uses legal language to describe the ritual and its purpose, making clear that this is a formal law ("law of jealousies") for a particular kind of marital crisis. The focus is on maintaining order and justice in the community.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 5:29

• "law" (תּוֹרָה, torah): This word means instruction or law, emphasizing that what follows is an official, binding guideline for the community, not just advice.
• "jealousies" (קִנְאָה, qin'ah): This word refers to strong feelings of suspicion or zeal, especially in the context of marriage. It highlights the emotional intensity that can arise in such situations.
• "wife" (אִשָּׁה, ishah): This is the standard word for a married woman, making clear that the law applies to someone in a marital relationship.
• "aside" (שָׂטָה, satah): This word means to go astray or turn aside, often used for unfaithfulness. It underlines the idea of breaking trust or straying from the marriage.
• "husband" (אִישׁ, ish): This is the usual term for a man or husband, specifying the relationship at the center of the law.
• "defiled" (טָמֵא, tame): This word means to become ritually or morally impure, showing that the concern is not only social but also spiritual.

Why Numbers 5:29 matters

• Numbers 5:29 clarifies that the law is not about private suspicion but about a public, ritualized process to address accusations of adultery, aiming to protect both the accused and the accuser.
• The verse highlights the seriousness with which marital faithfulness was regarded in ancient Israel, showing that such matters were handled with formal procedures rather than personal vengeance.
• By summarizing the law, Numbers 5:29 connects the specific ritual described earlier in the chapter to the broader legal and moral framework of the Israelite community.