This is the law of jealousies, when a wife goeth aside to another instead of her husband, and is defiled;

NUMBERS 5:29KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“jealousies” 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.

“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.