Topical Encyclopedia The "Water of Jealousy" is a term derived from the ritual described in the Book of Numbers, specifically in Numbers 5:11-31. This ritual is part of the Mosaic Law and is often referred to as the "Ordeal of Jealousy" or the "Test for an Unfaithful Wife." It was a divine procedure established to address suspicions of adultery when a husband suspected his wife of being unfaithful but lacked concrete evidence.Biblical Context The passage in Numbers 5:11-31 outlines the process by which a husband could bring his wife before the priest if he suspected her of infidelity. The ritual was intended to reveal the truth of the matter through divine intervention. The husband would present his wife along with an offering of barley flour, which was a grain offering without oil or incense, symbolizing the gravity and solemnity of the situation. The Ritual Process 1. Presentation to the Priest: The husband brings his wife to the priest along with the required offering. The priest then sets her before the LORD. 2. Preparation of the Water: The priest takes holy water in a clay jar and mixes it with dust from the tabernacle floor. This mixture becomes the "bitter water that brings a curse." 3. Oath and Curse: The priest makes the woman take an oath, declaring her innocence or guilt. He pronounces a curse that would take effect if she is guilty, causing her abdomen to swell and her thigh to waste away. 4. Writing and Washing: The priest writes the curses on a scroll and then washes them off into the bitter water, symbolically transferring the curse into the water. 5. Drinking the Water: The woman drinks the bitter water. If she is guilty, the curse would manifest physically, confirming her infidelity. If she is innocent, she would remain unharmed and be able to conceive children. Theological Significance The Water of Jealousy ritual underscores the seriousness with which marital fidelity was regarded in ancient Israel. It reflects the belief that God is the ultimate judge and arbiter of truth, capable of revealing hidden sins. The ritual also served as a deterrent against false accusations, as the outcome was left in the hands of divine justice. Cultural and Historical Considerations In the context of ancient Israelite society, the Water of Jealousy ritual provided a means of resolving marital disputes that could otherwise lead to violence or social instability. It was a unique legal procedure that emphasized the sanctity of marriage and the importance of trust between spouses. Scriptural Reference Numbers 5:11-31 provides the detailed account of this ritual. The passage highlights the role of the priest, the use of holy water, and the invocation of a divine curse as central elements of the process. Modern Interpretations While the ritual is not practiced in contemporary Christianity, it is often studied for its historical and theological implications. It serves as a reminder of the biblical emphasis on faithfulness and the belief in God's omniscience and justice. Smith's Bible Dictionary Water of Jealousy(Numbers 5:11-31) The ritual prescribed consisted in the husband's bringing before the priest the woman suspected of infidelity, and the essential part of it is unquestionably the oath to which the "water" was subsidiary, symbolical and ministerial. With her he was to bring an offering of barley meal. As she stood holding the offering, so the priest stood holding till earthen vessel of holy water mixed with the dust from the floor of the sanctuary, and, declaring her free from all evil consequences if innocent, solemnly devoted her in the name of Jehovah to be "a curse and an oath among her people" if guilty. He then "wrote these curses in a book and blotted them out with the bitter water." and having thrown the handful of meal on the altar, "caused the woman to drink" the potion thus drugged, she moreover answering to the words of his imprecation, "Amen, amen." Josephus adds, if the suspicion was unfounded, she obtained conception; if true, she died infamously, (This was entirely different from most trials of this kind, for the bitter water the woman must drink was harmless in itself, and only by a direct act of God could it injure her it guilty while in most heathen trials the suspected party must take poison, or suffer that which only a miracle would save them from if they were innocent. --ED.) Greek 2205. zelos -- to have warmth of feeling for or against, to be ... ... 2205 (an omamopoeic term that mimics the sound of water bubbling over ... This root () is used both negatively ("jealousy") and positively ("zeal") depending on . ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2205.htm - 7k Library How God is Jealous of Us. The Tenth Commandment Jealousy of John's Disciples. --Final Testimony of the Baptist. ... The Image of Jealousy Psalm CIX. John at ??non. Blessed are they that Mourn Concerning "Good," "Light," "Beautiful," "Desire," "Ecstasy ... Jesus at the Well. The Lord's Supper Resources What is the water of life? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of bitter water in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to be born of water? | GotQuestions.org Water: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Water in Times of Scarcity, Sold at an Enormous Price Water of Bitterness or of Jealousy Water of Separation or of Uncleanness Water of the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit Water was Used by Jews for Culinary Purposes Water was Used by Jews for Legal Purification Water was Used by Jews for Washing the Person Water was Used by Jews: As Their Principal Beverage Water: (Covering the Sea) of the General Diffusion of The Water: (Deep) of Counsel in the Heart Water: (Deep) of Severe Affliction Water: (Deep) of the Words of the Wise Water: (Difficulty of Stopping) of Strife and Contention Water: (Its Instability) of a Wavering Disposition Water: (Its Weakness) of Faintness and Cowardice Water: (Many) of a Variety of Afflictions Water: (Many) of Different Nations and People Water: (Noise of Many) of the Word of Christ Water: (Poured Out) Faintness by Terror Water: (Poured Out) the Wrath of God Water: (Pouring, out of Buckets) a Numerous Progeny Water: (Rapidly Flowing Away) the Career of the Wicked Water: (Spilled on the Ground) Death Water: (Still) the Ordinances of the Gospel Water: Artificial Mode of Conveying, Into Large Cities Water: Collected in The Clouds Water: Covered the Whole Earth Water: Drops from the Clouds in Rain Water: Frequently Brackish and Unfit for Use Water: God Originally: Collected Into One Place Water: God Originally: Created Fowls and Fishes From Water: God Originally: Created the Firmament to Divide Water: Kept for Purification in Large Waterpots Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Jaw-Bone of an Ass Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Rock Water: Miracles Connected With: Consumed by Fire from Heaven Water: Miracles Connected With: Divided and Made to Stand on Heap Water: Miracles Connected With: Healing Powers Communicated To Water: Miracles Connected With: Iron Made to Swim In Water: Miracles Connected With: Our Lord Walking On Water: Miracles Connected With: Trenches Filled With Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Blood Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Wine Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Jehoshaphat's Army Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Samson Water: Miraculously Supplied: To the Israelites Water: Necessary to the Comfort and Happiness of Man Water: Necessary to Vegetation Water: One of the Elements of the World Water: Rises in Vapour to the Clouds Water: some Plants Particularly Require Water: The Want of, Considered a Great Calamity Water: The World and Its Inhabitants Once Destroyed By Water: The World not to be Again Destroyed By Water: Wearing the Hardest Substances Related Terms Water-springs (12 Occurrences) |
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