“But if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee beside thine husband:”
Numbers 5:11-31 presents the Law of Jealousy or the Law of the Unfaithful Wife. It is a unique passage in the Book of Numbers that outlines a ritual for testing a wife suspected of infidelity by her husband.
Context: In the biblical narrative, this passage occurs during the time when the Israelites were in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. God instructed Moses to establish laws and regulations for the community to maintain order, purity, and fidelity.
Suspicion of Infidelity: The passage addresses a situation where a husband suspects his wife of being unfaithful to him and has no witnesses or evidence to prove it.
Procedure for Testing: In Numbers 5:11-31, the Lord establishes a test that involves a ritual performed by the priest. If the husband suspects his wife but lacks evidence, he is to bring her to the priest along with an offering of barley meal, which is a symbol of the wife’s offering herself to God for judgment.
The Bitter Water: The priest prepares a concoction known as the “bitter water” by mixing holy water with dust from the tabernacle floor and writing a curse on a scroll, which is then dissolved in the water. The woman is made to drink this water.
Implications of the Test: The belief behind this test was that if the woman was innocent, the bitter water would have no effect on her, and she would be blessed. However, if she was guilty of adultery, the water was believed to bring a curse upon her, resulting in physical manifestations of guilt and judgment.
The Focus of Numbers 5:20: In this specific verse, Numbers 5:20, the text highlights the scenario where the woman has indeed committed adultery and has been defiled by another man instead of her husband. It establishes that if she has been unfaithful, engaging in sexual relations with someone other than her husband, she would be subject to the consequences of the test described earlier.
Symbolism and Purpose: The ritual described in Numbers 5 served multiple purposes. It emphasized the importance of fidelity within marriage and the severe consequences of breaking that covenant. It also demonstrated God’s concern for justice and His willingness to intervene in human affairs to establish righteousness and maintain order within the community.
It is important to note that the Bible uses culturally specific practices and laws, and this passage reflects the customs of the ancient Israelites. As Christians, we interpret these Old Testament passages in light of the New Testament, understanding that Jesus Christ fulfilled the requirements of the law and brought a new covenant of grace and forgiveness.
By studying this passage, we can gain insights into the cultural and historical context of the Israelites and appreciate the value God placed on faithfulness in relationships.
