“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: Numbers 5:19 (KJV)”
Numbers 5:19 is a verse from the book of Numbers:which is the fourth book of the Old Testament in the Bible. This particular verse is part of a passage known as the “Law of Jealousies” or the “Law of the Ordeal of Bitter Water” (Numbers 5:11-31). The passage describes a process for dealing with cases of suspected marital infidelity or unfaithfulness.
In this verse, a woman who is suspected of being unfaithful to her husband is brought before a priest. The priest charges her by an oath, which means he administers an oath to her. The oath consists of two parts:
- First, the woman is asked if no man has lain with her. This refers to sexual relations with a man other than her husband.
- Second, the woman is asked if she has gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of her husband. This means engaging in impure or forbidden activities with another man, aside from her husband.
If the woman answers “no” to both of these questions, she is declared free from the bitter water that causes the curse. The bitter water is a concoction prepared by the priest, and it is believed to have a supernatural effect. If the woman is guilty of adultery, it is believed that the water will cause her to suffer physical consequences, while if she is innocent, she will remain unharmed.
This passage reflects a specific cultural and legal context of ancient Israel, where suspicion of infidelity in marriage was taken seriously. The process described here was meant to resolve accusations and establish innocence or guilt. It is important to note that this passage is descriptive rather than prescriptive, meaning it describes a practice that was followed during that time, but it does not necessarily indicate a commandment or moral instruction for all time.
As with any biblical passage, it is valuable to consider the historical, cultural, and textual context when interpreting it. Understanding the passage in its broader context helps us grasp its significance within the narrative of the book of Numbers and the larger biblical themes of justice, fidelity, and trust in relationships.
