Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the issue of a married woman's unfaithfulness is addressed in the Book of Numbers, specifically through the ritual of the "waters of bitterness" or "bitter water that brings a curse." This ritual is a unique and solemn procedure outlined in the Mosaic Law, intended to determine the fidelity of a wife accused of adultery when there is no direct evidence to confirm the accusation.Biblical Reference: The primary scriptural reference for this ritual is found in Numbers 5:11-31. The passage details the process by which a husband, suspecting his wife of infidelity, brings her before the priest. The text states: "If a man's wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him by sleeping with another man, and this is hidden from her husband and her impurity is undetected, since there is no witness against her and she has not been caught in the act, and if feelings of jealousy come over her husband and he suspects his wife and she is impure—or if he is jealous and suspects her even though she is not impure—then he is to take his wife to the priest." (Numbers 5:12-15) The Ritual Process: 1. Presentation to the Priest: The husband brings his wife to the priest along with an offering of barley flour, which is described as a "jealousy offering" (Numbers 5:15). 2. Preparation of the Bitter Water: The priest prepares a mixture of holy water and dust from the tabernacle floor, creating the "bitter water that brings a curse" (Numbers 5:17). 3. Oath and Curse: The priest makes the woman stand before the LORD and administers an oath. He pronounces a curse that, if she is guilty, the water will cause her abdomen to swell and her thigh to waste away. The woman is required to say, "Amen, Amen" (Numbers 5:21-22). 4. Drinking the Water: The woman drinks the bitter water. If she is guilty, the curse takes effect, and she becomes a curse among her people. If she is innocent, she will be unharmed and will be able to bear children (Numbers 5:27-28). Theological and Cultural Context: This ritual underscores the seriousness with which marital fidelity is regarded in the biblical tradition. It reflects the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where the husband's suspicions could lead to a public and religious examination of the wife's conduct. The ritual serves both as a means of divine judgment and as a deterrent against infidelity. Theologically, the ritual emphasizes the holiness and justice of God, who is seen as the ultimate arbiter of truth and righteousness. It also highlights the importance of purity within the covenant community, as marital unfaithfulness is viewed as a breach not only of personal trust but also of the covenantal relationship with God. Implications for Marriage: The passage illustrates the gravity of the marriage covenant and the expectation of faithfulness within it. It serves as a reminder of the sanctity of marriage and the moral and spiritual responsibilities that accompany it. The ritual of the bitter water, while specific to the cultural and religious context of ancient Israel, reflects broader biblical themes of justice, truth, and the pursuit of holiness in personal relationships. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 5:14-28And the spirit of jealousy come on him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come on him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Letter Lxvi. To Pammachius. Book Nine the End of the Autobiography. ... Godly Fear and Its Goodly Consequence Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ; Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... The Memphite Empire Resources Is it wrong for a Christian girl/woman to be a tomboy? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the woman at the well? | GotQuestions.org What is the meaning of the story of the woman with the issue of blood? | GotQuestions.org Woman: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Woman of Distinction: Fair and Graceful Woman of Distinction: Fond of Dress and Ornaments Woman of Distinction: Haughty in Their Deportment Woman of Distinction: Wore Their Hair Plaited and Adorned With Gold and Pearls Woman of the Poorer Classes Swarthy from Exposure to the Sun Woman were Required to Hear and Obey the Law Woman: (At Ease and Careless) of a State of Carnal Security Woman: (Chaste and Holy) of Saints Woman: (Delicate) of Backsliding Israel Woman: (Foolish) of Mere Professors Woman: (Forsaken) of Israel in Her Captivity Woman: (Gloriously Arrayed) of the Church of Christ Woman: (Lewd) of the Roman Apostasy Woman: Allowed to Join in the Temple-Music from the Time of David Woman: Considered a Valuable Booty in War Woman: Frequently: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Woman: Frequently: Fond of Self-Indulgence Woman: Frequently: Silly and Easily Led Into Error Woman: Frequently: Subtle and Deceitful Woman: Frequently: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Woman: Generally Lived in a Separated Apartment or Tent Woman: Generally Wore a Vail in the Presence of the Other Sex Woman: Good and Virtuous, Described Woman: had a Court of the Tabernacle Assigned to Them Woman: Loving and Affectionate Woman: Often Engaged in Agriculture Woman: Often Engaged in Attending Funerals As Mourners Woman: Often Engaged in Celebrating the Victories of the Nation Woman: Often Engaged in Domestic Employments Woman: Often Engaged in Drawing and Carrying Water Woman: Often Engaged in Embroidery Woman: Often Engaged in Grinding Corn Woman: Often Engaged in Spinning Woman: Often Engaged in Tending Sheep Woman: Often Treated With Great Cruelty in War Woman: Origin and Cause of the Name Woman: Originally Made by God in his own Image Woman: Originally Made for Man Woman: Originally Made: from One of Adam's Ribs Woman: Originally Made: Subordinate to Man Woman: Originally Made: To be an Helpmeet for Man Woman: Originally Made: To be the Glory of Man Woman: Punishment for Injuring, when With Child Woman: Safety in Childbirth Promised to the Faithful and Holy Woman: Salvation Promised Through the Seed of Woman: Submissive and Respectful to Husbands Woman: Tender and Constant to Her offspring Woman: To be Governed By, Considered a Calamity by the Jews Woman: To be Slain By, Considered a Great Disgrace Woman: To Wear Her Hair Long As a Covering Woman: Unfaithfulness of, when Married Found out by the Waters of Woman: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Woman: Vows of, when Married not Binding Upon the Husband Woman: Young of Distinction, Dressed in Robes of Various Colours Woman: Young: Could not Marry Without Consent of Parents Woman: Young: Fond of Ornaments Woman: Young: Inherited Parents' Property when There Was No Male Heir Woman: Young: Kind and Courteous to Strangers Woman: Young: Not to be Given in Marriage Considered a Calamity Woman: Young: Often Taken Captive Woman: Young: Often Treated With Great Cruelty in War Woman: Young: Punishment for Seducing when not Betrothed Woman: Young: Punishment for Seducing, when Betrothed Woman: Young: Required to Learn from and Imitate Their Elders Related Terms Woman-servant (12 Occurrences) |
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