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. When he has made her drink the water,The priest administered the holy water after the woman had stood before the LORD and received the solemn oath. Mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor and the written curse washed into it, the water placed the hidden matter under God’s judgment rather than leaving the husband, wife, or community to act on suspicion alone. Jer 25:15-17 This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me:… if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, Adultery violated both the marriage covenant and Israel’s covenant holiness. Because lineage, inheritance, and family integrity were central to Israel’s life, the law provided a judicial means of addressing an accusation when no human witness could establish guilt. Deu 22:22 If a man is found lying with another man’s wife,… then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; The water had no magical power in itself; God alone would reveal guilt or innocence. Its bitter effect came from the curse pronounced before the LORD, demonstrating that secret sin remains open before Him. Psa 109:18 The cursing that he wore like a coat, may it soak… her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel, The affliction would provide an unmistakable divine judgment upon the guilty woman. The judgment struck the body in a way connected to the sin and brought the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness into public view. Hos 9:14 Give them, O LORD—what will You give?… and she will become accursed among her people. The guilty woman would bear the shame and judgment attached to her violation of the marriage covenant. The severity of the curse reveals God’s concern for purity, truth, and faithfulness among His people. Christ bore the curse of sin for His people, redeeming them from the curse of the law through His sacrificial death (Galatians 3:13). Deu 28:37 You will become an object of horror, scorn, and ridicule… 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 1. How does the ritual in Numbers 5:27 reflect the seriousness with which God views marital fidelity?2. In what ways does the community play a role in addressing sin, as seen in this passage? 3. How can we balance the concepts of justice and mercy in our own lives, drawing from both the Old and New Testament teachings? 4. What steps can we take to ensure faithfulness in our relationships, and how does this reflect our relationship with God? 5. How does the account of the woman caught in adultery in John 8 provide a New Testament perspective on dealing with sin and forgiveness? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 20:10This verse discusses the consequences of adultery, providing context for the seriousness of the accusation in Numbers 5:27. John 8:3-11 The account of the woman caught in adultery, where Jesus emphasizes mercy and forgiveness, offering a New Testament perspective on dealing with sin. Proverbs 6:32-33 These verses highlight the destructive nature of adultery, aligning with the consequences described in Numbers 5:27. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Paul’s teaching on sexual immorality, urging believers to honor God with their bodies, which connects to the moral implications of the passage.
People Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces SinaiTopics Abdomen, Accursed, Acted, Belly, Bitter, Bitterness, Body, Bringeth, Brings, Cause, Caused, Causes, Causeth, Causing, Commit, Committed, Curse, Defiled, Disease, Drink, Enter, Execration, Fall, Fallen, Herself, Husband, Legs, Midst, Pain, Pass, Perish, Rot, Shrink, Sinning, Stomach, Suffering, Swell, Swelled, Thigh, Trespass, Unclean, Unfaithful, Unfaithfully, Unfaithfulness, Waste, Wasting, Waters, YeaDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 5:27 5185 stomach 5472 proof, evidence 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 Piety Ciii. Zacchæus. Parable of the Pounds. Journey to Jerusalem. Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate, Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements. Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement. The Eternity of God The Section Chap. I. -iii. Numbers Links Numbers 5:27 NIVNumbers 5:27 NLT Numbers 5:27 ESV Numbers 5:27 NASB Numbers 5:27 KJV Numbers 5:27 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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