Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version If she has made herself impure and been unfaithful to her husband, this will be the result: When she is made to drink the water that brings a curse and causes bitter suffering, it will enter her, her abdomen will swell and her womb will miscarry, and she will become a curse. New Living Translation If she has defiled herself by being unfaithful to her husband, the water that brings on the curse will cause bitter suffering. Her abdomen will swell and her womb will shrink, and her name will become a curse among her people. English Standard Version And when he has made her drink the water, then, if she has defiled herself and has broken faith with her husband, the water that brings the curse shall enter into her and cause bitter pain, and her womb shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away, and the woman shall become a curse among her people. Berean Standard Bible When he has made her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel, and she will become accursed among her people. Berean Literal Bible And he shall make her drink the water, and it shall come to pass if she has defiled herself and acted unfaithfully—an unfaithfulness—against her husband, that the water bringing a curse will enter into her for bitterness, and her belly will swell, and her thigh will rot, and the woman will become a curse among her people. King James Bible And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people. New King James Version When he has made her drink the water, then it shall be, if she has defiled herself and behaved unfaithfully toward her husband, that the water that brings a curse will enter her and become bitter, and her belly will swell, her thigh will rot, and the woman will become a curse among her people. New American Standard Bible When he has made her drink the water, then it will come about, if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, that the water which brings a curse will go into her and cause bitterness, and her belly will swell up and her thigh will shrivel, and the woman will become a curse among her people. NASB 1995 When he has made her drink the water, then it shall come about, if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, that the water which brings a curse will go into her and cause bitterness, and her abdomen will swell and her thigh will waste away, and the woman will become a curse among her people. NASB 1977 ‘When he has made her drink the water, then it shall come about, if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, that the water which brings a curse shall go into her and cause bitterness, and her abdomen will swell and her thigh will waste away, and the woman will become a curse among her people. Legacy Standard Bible So he will have her drink the water, and it will be that, if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, that the water which brings curses will go into her to cause bitterness, and her abdomen will swell and her thigh will fall away, and the woman will become a curse among her people. Amplified Bible When he has made her drink the water, then it shall come about, that if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, the curse water will go into her and cause bitterness and cause her abdomen to swell and her thigh to waste away, and the woman will become a curse among her people. Berean Annotated Bible When he has made her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel, and she will become accursed among her people. Christian Standard Bible “When he makes her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, the water that brings a curse will enter her to cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, and her womb will shrivel. She will become a curse among her people. Holman Christian Standard Bible When he makes her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, and her thigh will shrivel. She will become a curse among her people. American Standard Version And when he hath made her drink the water, then it shall come to pass, if she be defiled, and have committed a trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her and become bitter, and her body shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away: and the woman shall be a curse among her people. Contemporary English Version If the woman has been unfaithful, the water will immediately make her unable to have children, and she will be a curse among her people. English Revised Version And when he hath made her drink the water, then it shall come to pass, if she be defiled, and have committed a trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away: and the woman shall be a curse among her people. GOD'S WORD® Translation If she has become unclean by being unfaithful to her husband, the water that can bring the curse will go into her and become bitter. Her stomach will swell, her uterus will drop, and she will become cursed among her people. Good News Translation If she has committed adultery, the water will cause bitter pain; her stomach will swell up and her genital organs will shrink. Her name will become a curse among her people. International Standard Version When he has had her drink the water, if she was defiled and had acted unfaithfully toward her husband, then the contaminated water that brings a curse will enter her and infect her, causing her abdomen to swell and her thigh to waste away. Then she is to be a cursed woman among her people. NET Bible When he has made her drink the water, then, if she has defiled herself and behaved unfaithfully toward her husband, the water that brings a curse will enter her to produce bitterness--her abdomen will swell, her thigh will fall away, and the woman will become a curse among her people. New Heart English Bible When he has made her drink the water, then it shall happen, if she is defiled, and has committed a trespass against her husband, that the water that causes the curse will enter into her and become bitter, and her body will swell, and her thigh will fall away: and the woman will be a curse among her people. Webster's Bible Translation And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she is defiled, and hath done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall perish: and the woman shall be a curse among her people. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen he has made her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel, and she will become accursed among her people. World English Bible When he has made her drink the water, then it shall happen, if she is defiled and has committed a trespass against her husband, that the water that causes the curse will enter into her and become bitter, and her body will swell, and her thigh will fall away; and the woman will be a curse among her people. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionindeed, he has caused her to drink the water, and it has come to pass, if she has been defiled and commits a trespass against her husband, that the waters which cause the curse have gone into her for bitter things, and her belly has swelled, and her thigh has fallen, and the woman has become an execration in the midst of her people. Berean Literal Bible And he shall make her drink the water, and it shall come to pass if she has defiled herself and acted unfaithfully—an unfaithfulness—against her husband, that the water bringing a curse will enter into her for bitterness, and her belly will swell, and her thigh will rot, and the woman will become a curse among her people. Young's Literal Translation yea, he hath caused her to drink the water, and it hath come to pass, if she hath been defiled, and doth commit a trespass against her husband, that the waters which cause the curse have gone into her for bitter things, and her belly hath swelled, and her thigh hath fallen, and the woman hath become an execration in the midst of her people. Smith's Literal Translation And he caused her to drink the water, and it was if she was defiled and she shall cover the transgression against her husband, and the waters causing the curse came into her for contradiction, and her belly came forth, and her thigh fell, and the woman was for a curse in the midst of her people. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when she hath drunk them, if she be defiled, and having despised her husband be guilty of adultery, the malediction shall go through her, and her belly swelling, her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse, and an example to all the people. Catholic Public Domain Version And when she drinks it, if she has been defiled, and, having despised her husband, is guilty of adultery, the curse shall pass through her, and as her belly swells up, her thigh shall decay, and the woman shall become a curse and an example to all the people. New American Bible Once he has had her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, the water that brings a curse will enter into her to her bitter hurt, and her belly will swell and her uterus will fall, so that she will become a curse among her people. New Revised Standard Version When he has made her drink the water, then, if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, the water that brings the curse shall enter into her and cause bitter pain, and her womb shall discharge, her uterus drop, and the woman shall become an execration among her people. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when he has made her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and has committed iniquity against her husband, the water of testing shall enter into her, and shall try her, and if her belly shall swell and her thighs shall rot, then that woman shall be a curse among her people. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And if she has been defiled and she has done evil to her husband, and the testing waters entered into her and they tested her and her belly swelled up and her thigh has rotted, that woman will be for a curse from within her people. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And when he hath made her drink the water, then it shall come to pass, if she be defiled, and have acted unfaithfully against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away; and the woman shall be a curse among her people. Brenton Septuagint Translation And it shall come to pass, if she be defiled, and have altogether escaped the notice of her husband, then the water of the conviction that brings the curse shall enter into her; and she shall swell in her belly, and her thigh shall rot, and the woman shall be for a curse in the midst of her people. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Adultery Test…26Then the priest is to take a handful of the grain offering as a memorial portion and burn it on the altar; after that he is to have the woman drink the water. 27When he has made her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel, and she will become accursed among her people. 28But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will be unaffected and able to conceive children.… Cross References When he has made her drink the water, Jeremiah 25:15-17 This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from My hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink from it. / And they will drink and stagger and go out of their minds, because of the sword that I will send among them.” / So I took the cup from the LORD’s hand and made all the nations drink from it, each one to whom the LORD had sent me, Isaiah 51:17 Awake, awake! Rise up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the LORD the cup of His fury; you who have drained the goblet to the dregs—the cup that makes men stagger. Psalm 75:8 For a cup is in the hand of the LORD, full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours from His cup, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to the dregs. if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, Deuteronomy 22:22 If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. Leviticus 20:10 If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death. Proverbs 6:32-33 He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. / Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away. then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; Psalm 109:18 The cursing that he wore like a coat, may it soak into his body like water, and into his bones like oil. Jeremiah 9:15 Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will feed this people wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink. Jeremiah 8:14 Why are we just sitting here? Gather together, let us flee to the fortified cities and perish there, for the LORD our God has doomed us. He has given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD. her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel, Hosea 9:14 Give them, O LORD—what will You give? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that dry up! Deuteronomy 28:18 The fruit of your womb will be cursed, as well as the produce of your land, the calves of your herds, and the lambs of your flocks. Genesis 20:18 for on account of Abraham’s wife Sarah, the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household. and she will become accursed among her people. Deuteronomy 28:37 You will become an object of horror, scorn, and ridicule among all the nations to which the LORD will drive you. Jeremiah 44:12 And I will take away the remnant of Judah who have resolved to go to the land of Egypt to reside there; they will meet their end. They will all fall by the sword or be consumed by famine. From the least to the greatest, they will die by sword or famine; and they will become an object of cursing and horror, of vilification and reproach. Jeremiah 42:18 For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘Just as My anger and wrath were poured out on the residents of Jerusalem, so will My wrath be poured out on you if you go to Egypt. You will become an object of cursing and horror, of vilification and disgrace, and you will never see this place again.’ Deuteronomy 28:15-68 If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: / You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. / Your basket and kneading bowl will be cursed. … Treasury of Scripture And when he has made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causes the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people. if she be defiled Numbers 5:20 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: Proverbs 5:4-11 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword… Ecclesiastes 7:26 And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. the woman Deuteronomy 28:37 And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee. Psalm 83:9-11 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: … Isaiah 65:15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name: Jump to Previous Acted Belly Bitter Body Causes Causeth Committed Curse Defiled Drink Enter Fall Husband Perish Rot Swell Thigh Trespass Unfaithfully WaterJump to Next Acted Belly Bitter Body Causes Causeth Committed Curse Defiled Drink Enter Fall Husband Perish Rot Swell Thigh Trespass Unfaithfully WaterNumbers 5 1. The unclean are removed out of camp5. Restitution is to be made in trespass 11. The trial of jealously When he has made her drink the water This phrase refers to the ritual of the "water of bitterness" or "bitter water" described in Numbers 5, a test for a woman suspected of adultery. The priest would prepare this water as part of a ceremonial process. The ritual underscores the seriousness of marital fidelity in ancient Israelite society and the lengths to which the community would go to maintain purity and justice. The water itself, mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor, symbolizes divine judgment. if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel and she will become accursed among her people Persons / Places / Events 1. The PriestThe religious leader responsible for administering the test of the bitter water to the woman accused of adultery. 2. The Accused Woman A woman suspected of infidelity, who undergoes the ritual to determine her guilt or innocence. 3. The Husband The man who suspects his wife of being unfaithful and brings her before the priest. 4. The Tabernacle The sacred place where the ritual takes place, symbolizing God's presence and justice. 5. The Bitter Water A concoction used in the ritual, believed to reveal the truth about the woman's fidelity. Teaching Points The Seriousness of SinThe ritual underscores the gravity of sin, particularly adultery, and its impact on individuals and the community. God's Justice and Mercy While the passage highlights justice, it also points to the need for mercy and forgiveness, as seen in the broader biblical account. The Role of Community The involvement of the priest and the public nature of the ritual reflect the communal aspect of sin and accountability. Faithfulness in Relationships The passage calls believers to uphold faithfulness in marriage, reflecting God's covenantal faithfulness. The Power of Truth The ritual serves as a reminder of the importance of truth and integrity in our relationships and before God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 5:27?2. How does Numbers 5:27 illustrate consequences of unfaithfulness in marriage? 3. What does Numbers 5:27 teach about God's justice and holiness? 4. How can we apply the principles of Numbers 5:27 to modern relationships? 5. What connections exist between Numbers 5:27 and New Testament teachings on purity? 6. How does Numbers 5:27 encourage personal accountability and integrity in our lives? 7. How does Numbers 5:27 align with the concept of a loving and just God? 8. What historical evidence supports the ritual described in Numbers 5:27? 9. How should modern believers interpret the punishment in Numbers 5:27? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 5? 11. Is there any historical or archaeological evidence that this trial by ordeal was actually used (Numbers 5)? 12. Does Numbers 5 depict God commanding abortion? 13. Does Numbers 5 depict God commanding abortion? 14. What is the ritual for suspected adultery in Numbers? What Does Numbers 5:27 Mean When he has made her drink the water• The priest’s act (Numbers 5:24) is the climactic moment of the ritual: the woman personally receives God’s searching judgment. • There is no human jury; the LORD Himself discerns and reveals truth (1 Samuel 16:7; Hebrews 4:13). • The water is ordinary in appearance but set apart by the spoken curse and the dust from the tabernacle floor (Numbers 5:17)—a tangible reminder that holiness judges impurity (Leviticus 10:3). if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband • God treats marital faithfulness as a covenant reflection of His own faithfulness to Israel (Hosea 2:19-20; Ephesians 5:25-32). • “Defiled” underscores objective moral guilt, not merely suspicion (Leviticus 18:20). • The conditional clause assures the innocent woman of safety—God never punishes the righteous with the wicked (Genesis 18:25; Proverbs 17:15). then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering • Divine judgment is direct and physical, leaving no doubt as to guilt (Deuteronomy 29:20-21). • “Bitter” echoes the moral bitterness of betrayal (Proverbs 5:3-4). • The curse reverses the blessing of fertility promised to the faithful (Deuteronomy 28:4 versus Deuteronomy 28:18). her belly will swell • A visible, unmistakable sign—God exposes secret sin (Psalm 90:8; Luke 12:2-3). • Emphasizes that adultery, which often seeks hidden gratification, results in public disgrace (Proverbs 6:32-33). • The womb that might have carried an illegitimate life instead bears judgment, underscoring God’s concern for lineage purity (Deuteronomy 23:2). her thigh will shrivel • The “thigh” symbolized reproductive capacity and covenant oath (Genesis 24:2; 47:29). • Withering signifies loss of future fertility, mirroring covenant curses on disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:22). • Physical deterioration teaches that sin cripples what was meant for blessing (Romans 6:21). she will become accursed among her people • Community verdict rests on God’s revealed judgment, maintaining corporate holiness (Deuteronomy 13:5; 1 Corinthians 5:6-7). • “Accursed” (literally “a curse”) makes her a living warning, deterring others from adultery (Deuteronomy 19:20). • Separation from fellowship mirrors spiritual alienation that unrepented sin always brings (Isaiah 59:2; 1 John 1:6). summary Numbers 5:27 shows God personally vindicating marital faithfulness and guarding covenant purity. If the woman is guilty, the consecrated water becomes an instrument of unmistakable, physical judgment—swollen belly, withered thigh, and public disgrace. Each effect demonstrates that secret sin cannot hide from the LORD, that He defends the innocent, and that covenant unfaithfulness invites swift, visible consequences. Verse 27. - Shall enter into her, and become bitter. Rather, "as bitter," or "as bitterness," i.e. as producing bitter sufferings. Shall be a curse, i.e., shall be used as an example in the imprecations of the people.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew When he has made her drinkוְהִשְׁקָ֣הּ (wə·hiš·qāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 8248: To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to the water, הַמַּ֗יִם (ham·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen if אִֽם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not she has defiled נִטְמְאָה֮ (niṭ·mə·’āh) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean herself and been unfaithful וַתִּמְעֹ֣ל (wat·tim·‘ōl) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 4603: To cover up, to act covertly, treacherously to her husband, בְּאִישָׁהּ֒ (bə·’î·šāh) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person then the water הַמַּ֤יִם (ham·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen that brings a curse הַמְאָֽרֲרִים֙ (ham·’ā·ră·rîm) Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 779: To execrate will enter וּבָ֨אוּ (ū·ḇā·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go her בָ֜הּ (ḇāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular Strong's Hebrew and cause bitter suffering; לְמָרִ֔ים (lə·mā·rîm) Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 4751: Bitter, bitterness, bitterly her belly בִטְנָ֔הּ (ḇiṭ·nāh) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 990: The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything will swell, וְצָבְתָ֣ה (wə·ṣā·ḇə·ṯāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 6638: To amass, grow turgid, to array an army against her thigh יְרֵכָ֑הּ (yə·rê·ḵāh) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 3409: Thigh,loin, flank, side will shrivel, וְנָפְלָ֖ה (wə·nā·p̄ə·lāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 5307: To fall, lie and she will become וְהָיְתָ֣ה (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be accursed לְאָלָ֖ה (lə·’ā·lāh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 423: An imprecation among בְּקֶ֥רֶב (bə·qe·reḇ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center her people. עַמָּֽהּ׃ (‘am·māh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock Links Numbers 5:27 NIVNumbers 5:27 NLT Numbers 5:27 ESV Numbers 5:27 NASB Numbers 5:27 KJV Numbers 5:27 BibleApps.com Numbers 5:27 Biblia Paralela Numbers 5:27 Chinese Bible Numbers 5:27 French Bible Numbers 5:27 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 5:27 When he has made her drink (Nu Num.) |
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