“And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the LORD.”
This verse is part of a larger passage that describes the law of the jealous husband in the book of Numbers. In this passage, God provides instructions to Moses regarding a situation where a husband suspects his wife of being unfaithful but has no evidence. The passage outlines a ritual to be performed in the presence of the Lord to determine the truth.
To understand the significance of Numbers 5:16, it is important to consider the context and the preceding verses. Numbers 5:11-15 describes the procedure for dealing with a case of suspected infidelity. If a husband becomes jealous and has no evidence, he is to bring his wife to the priest along with an offering of barley meal.
In Numbers 5:16, it states that the priest shall bring the woman before the Lord. This act symbolizes the wife’s accountability before God and emphasizes the seriousness of the situation. By bringing the woman before the Lord, the priest acts as a representative of God, overseeing the proceedings and ensuring the ritual is performed according to God’s instructions.
The purpose of this ritual was not to prove or disprove the wife’s guilt but to place the matter in God’s hands and seek His intervention. The ritual involved the priest taking holy water and dust from the tabernacle floor, mixing them together, and making the woman drink the water. If the woman was guilty, the water would cause a curse to come upon her, resulting in physical symptoms. However, if she was innocent, no harm would come to her, and she would be free from any suspicion.
Numbers 5:16 emphasizes the role of the priest as the mediator between the husband, the wife, and God. By setting the woman before the Lord, the priest acted as a conduit for seeking divine judgment and guidance. It also highlights the significance of the tabernacle as the dwelling place of God’s presence among His people.
From a broader perspective, this passage reflects God’s concern for the sanctity of marriage and the need for trust and fidelity within the marital relationship. It demonstrates that God cares about the well-being of His people and provides a means to address issues of suspicion and trust in a just and orderly manner.
In conclusion, Numbers 5:16 reveals the process by which a woman suspected of infidelity would be brought before the Lord and signifies the role of the priest as the intermediary. It highlights the importance of seeking God’s guidance and justice in matters of suspicion and trust.
