“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:”
This verse is a part of a larger passage found in Numbers 5:11-31, which discusses the law of jealousy or the trial by ordeal for a woman suspected of adultery. It outlines the process to be followed if a husband becomes jealous and suspects his wife of being unfaithful.
Context: The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible and records various events that took place during the Israelites’ journey from Mount Sinai to the edge of the Promised Land. In this particular section, the focus is on the regulations and laws given by God to the Israelites.
The Spirit of Jealousy: The verse mentions the “spirit of jealousy” coming upon a husband. This refers to a deep-seated suspicion or doubt that arises in a husband’s heart regarding his wife’s faithfulness. It describes the intense emotions of jealousy and the resulting actions that the husband might take.
The Accusation: The verse states that if the spirit of jealousy comes upon the husband and he accuses his wife of adultery, two scenarios are presented: one where she has been defiled (committed adultery) and one where she has not been defiled.
The Trial by Ordeal: The following verses in Numbers 5:15-31 describe the process by which the suspected wife would undergo a trial by ordeal to determine her guilt or innocence. The husband would bring her before the priest along with an offering, and the priest would prepare a concoction of holy water mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor. The woman would then be made to drink this mixture, symbolizing a test of her faithfulness. If she was guilty, the curse would come upon her, resulting in physical effects, while if she was innocent, she would be unharmed.
Symbolic Meaning: This passage reflects the ancient Israelite legal and religious customs. The trial by ordeal was a way for God to reveal the truth and preserve the sanctity of marriage. It also served as a deterrent against false accusations and provided an opportunity for restoration if the wife was found innocent.
Interpretation: It is important to note that this passage describes a specific practice of ancient Israel and should not be taken as a prescription for how jealousy and accusations should be handled today. The Bible teaches principles of love, trust, and forgiveness within marriage (e.g., Ephesians 5:22-33), and Jesus emphasized the importance of avoiding jealousy and harboring sinful thoughts (e.g., Matthew 5:27-30).
In summary, Numbers 5:14 introduces the concept of the spirit of jealousy and the legal process that took place if a husband suspected his wife of adultery. This passage highlights the ancient Israelite legal system and the importance of maintaining faithfulness within marriage. However, it should be understood in its historical and cultural context and not applied directly to contemporary situations.
