"Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if any man's wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him Speak to the IsraelitesThis phrase indicates a direct command from God to Moses, emphasizing the importance of the message. The Israelites, as God's chosen people, were to adhere to specific laws and regulations that set them apart from other nations. This command underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience to God's laws was paramount. and tell them that if any man’s wife goes astray
The concept of a wife going astray refers to marital unfaithfulness, which was a serious offense in ancient Israelite society. Marriage was considered a sacred covenant, reflecting the relationship between God and His people. The use of "goes astray" suggests a deviation from the path of righteousness and fidelity, which was expected in a covenant relationship. and is unfaithful to him
Unfaithfulness in marriage was not only a personal betrayal but also a violation of God's law. In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, adultery was seen as a grave sin with severe consequences. This phrase highlights the moral and spiritual implications of infidelity, which disrupted the social and religious fabric of the community. The law provided a means to address such issues, ensuring justice and maintaining the sanctity of marriage. Connections can be drawn to the New Testament, where Jesus speaks about the sanctity of marriage and the seriousness of adultery (Matthew 5:27-28). Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, to whom the laws and commandments were given through Moses. They are the primary audience of this instruction. 2. MosesThe leader and prophet who received the law from God and communicated it to the Israelites. He is the one instructed to speak to the people in this passage. 3. The Unfaithful WifeThe subject of the law in this passage, representing a situation of marital unfaithfulness that needed to be addressed within the community. 4. The HusbandThe man whose wife has gone astray, representing the aggrieved party in the situation of infidelity. 5. The TabernacleWhile not directly mentioned in this verse, it is the central place of worship and where the subsequent ritual of the "jealousy offering" would take place. Teaching Points The Sanctity of MarriageMarriage is a covenant relationship that reflects God's faithfulness to His people. This passage underscores the importance of fidelity within marriage. Community ResponsibilityThe law given to the Israelites highlights the community's role in maintaining moral standards and addressing sin within its midst. God's Justice and MercyWhile the law addresses sin, it also provides a means for resolution and restoration, reflecting God's justice and mercy. The Heart of the MatterJesus' teaching in the New Testament reminds us that faithfulness is not just about actions but also about the intentions and desires of the heart. Restoration and ForgivenessIn cases of unfaithfulness, the goal should be restoration and forgiveness, mirroring God's desire for reconciliation with His people. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the instruction in Numbers 5:12 reflect the importance of faithfulness in marriage, and how can we apply this principle in our own relationships today? 2. In what ways does the community play a role in upholding moral standards, and how can we as a church support one another in maintaining faithfulness? 3. How does Jesus' teaching in the New Testament expand our understanding of adultery and faithfulness beyond just physical actions? 4. What steps can we take to ensure that our hearts and minds are aligned with God's standards of purity and faithfulness? 5. How can we approach situations of unfaithfulness with a spirit of restoration and forgiveness, reflecting God's justice and mercy in our relationships? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 20:10This verse provides the broader context of the laws regarding adultery, emphasizing the seriousness of marital unfaithfulness in the Israelite community. Matthew 5:27-28Jesus expands on the concept of adultery, teaching that even looking at someone lustfully is akin to committing adultery in one's heart, thus broadening the understanding of faithfulness. Ephesians 5:22-33This passage discusses the relationship between husbands and wives, emphasizing love and respect, which contrasts with the situation of unfaithfulness described in Numbers 5:12. People Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces SinaiTopics Act, Acts, Aside, Astray, Commit, Committed, Goes, Hast, Israelites, Man's, Sinning, Sons, Speak, Trespass, Turneth, Unfaithful, Unfaithfully, Unfaithfulness, Wife, WrongDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 5:11-15 4404 food
8467 reminders Numbers 5:11-28 4456 grain Numbers 5:11-31 5472 proof, evidence
8830 suspicion Library Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
It is found by continual experience, that near the time of death, when the children of God are weakest, then Satan makes the greatest nourish of his strength, and assails them with his strongest temptations. For he knows that either he must now or never prevail; for if their souls once go to heaven, he shall never vex nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestir himself as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the gross sins which ever they committed, and the judgments …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of PietyCiii. Zacchæus. Parable of the Pounds. Journey to Jerusalem.
(Jericho.) ^C Luke XIX. 1-28. ^c 1 And he entered and was passing through Jericho. [This was about one week before the crucifixion. Jericho is about seven miles from the Jordan and about seventeen and a half from Jerusalem.] 2 And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich. [See p. 76. It is probable that Zacchæus was a sub-contractor under some Roman knight who had bought the privilege of collecting taxes at Jericho, or perhaps the privilege of all …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished; …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Eternity of God
The next attribute is, God is eternal.' Psa 90:0. From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.' The schoolmen distinguish between aevun et aeternum, to explain the notion of eternity. There is a threefold being. I. Such as had a beginning; and shall have an end; as all sensitive creatures, the beasts, fowls, fishes, which at death are destroyed and return to dust; their being ends with their life. 2. Such as had a beginning, but shall have no end, as angels and the souls of men, which are eternal …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 5:12 NIVNumbers 5:12 NLTNumbers 5:12 ESVNumbers 5:12 NASBNumbers 5:12 KJV
Numbers 5:12 Commentaries
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