Numbers 5:19

And the Priest shall charge her by an othe, and say vnto the woman, If no man haue lyen with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to vncleannesse with another in stead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse. Numbers 5:19 (KJV)

Numbers 5:19 is a verse from the book of Numbers, the fourth book of the Old Testament. It belongs to the passage commonly called the “Law of Jealousies” or the “Law of the Ordeal of Bitter Water” (Numbers 5:11‑31). The passage outlines a legal procedure for addressing suspected marital infidelity. When a husband suspects his wife of unfaithfulness, the matter is brought before a priest. The priest then causes the woman to swear an oath, asking two specific questions: whether any man has lain with her, and whether she has gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of her husband. The term “uncleaness” refers to illicit sexual relations or other forbidden conduct outside the marriage covenant.

If the woman answers “no” to both questions, the priest declares her free from the bitter water that causes the curse. The bitter water, prepared by the priest, was believed to have a supernatural effect: the guilty would suffer physical consequences, while the innocent would remain unharmed. This ritual was intended to resolve accusations, protect the integrity of the marriage, and uphold communal justice.

The description reflects the cultural and legal context of ancient Israel, where marital fidelity was taken seriously and communal harmony depended on clear procedures for dispute resolution. Scholars note that the passage is descriptive rather than prescriptive; it records a practice of its time without necessarily imposing a timeless moral command. Interpreting this text therefore requires attention to its historical setting, the covenantal values of justice, fidelity, and trust in relationships, and the broader biblical themes that underscore the importance of faithfulness within the covenant community.