Numbers 5:31 (KJV)

What does Numbers 5:31 mean?

Numbers 5:31 states that if a husband follows the ritual described earlier in the chapter regarding a suspected unfaithful wife, he will not be held guilty of wrongdoing, but the woman will bear the consequences of her own iniquity if she is found guilty. This verse marks the conclusion of the instructions about the ritual for cases of suspected adultery.

In context, Moses is relaying God’s instructions to the Israelites about how to handle accusations of marital unfaithfulness when there is no clear evidence. The verse clarifies that the responsibility for any sin lies with the woman if she is guilty, and the man is not considered at fault for bringing the matter forward or for the outcome of the ritual. This closes the section by emphasizing personal responsibility and the seriousness of the accusation and its resolution.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 5:31

• "Guiltless" (נָקִי, naqiy): This word means free from guilt or innocent. Here, it underscores that the husband is not to be blamed for the process or its results if he has followed the prescribed steps.
• "Bear" (נָשָׂא, nasa’): This verb means to carry or bear, often in the sense of bearing responsibility or consequences. The verse uses it to highlight that the woman, if guilty, must carry the weight of her own wrongdoing.
• "Iniquity" (עָוֹן, avon): This word refers to guilt, wrongdoing, or moral fault. The repetition in the verse stresses that the consequences are tied directly to the woman’s own actions, not to the accusation itself.

Why Numbers 5:31 matters

• Numbers 5:31 clarifies that the ritual is not about punishing suspicion, but about establishing responsibility for actual wrongdoing, protecting both parties from unfair blame.
• The verse emphasizes that guilt and consequences are personal, not transferred to others, which was significant in a communal society where blame could easily spread.
• This conclusion ties the ritual back to the broader biblical principle that each person is accountable for their own actions, reinforcing fairness and justice in the community.