Números 5

Números 5

Constable - the punishment fell on the organs that had been the instruments of the woman’s sin.“The thigh is often used as a euphemism for the sexual organs.” And the woman shall say, "Amen. Amen - Gr. γενοιτο, γενοιτο so be it, so be it. This represents the woman's acceptance of the oath without any reservations. (cf Deut. 27:26; Neh. 5:13) "The response is probably doubled to express her full consent and concurrence with the import of the malediction." (Bush) Bush adds an interesting comment - It is difficult to conceive how a woman could respond Amen in such circumstances, if she were really guilty, unless she had become so hardened in sin as to be utterly reckless what she uttered. But if she confessed that she had been defiled, or, which was equivalent, if she declined drinking, then, according to the Hebrew tradition, she was permanently separated from her husband, but without dowry. Numbers 5:23 'The priest shall then write these curses on a scroll, and he shall wash them off into the water of bitterness. BGT Numbers 5:23 καὶ γράψει ὁ ἱερεὺς τὰς ἀρὰς ταύτας εἰς βιβλίον καὶ ἐξαλείψει εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ τοῦ ἐλεγμοῦ τοῦ ἐπικαταρωμένου NET Numbers 5:23 "'Then the priest will write these curses on a scroll and then scrape them off into the bitter water. NLT Numbers 5:23 And the priest will write these curses on a piece of leather and wash them off into the bitter water. ESV Numbers 5:23 "Then the priest shall write these curses in a book and wash them off into the water of bitterness. NIV Numbers 5:23 " 'The priest is to write these curses on a scroll and then wash them off into the bitter water. KJV Numbers 5:23 And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out with the bitter water: YLT Numbers 5:23 'And the priest hath written these execrations in a book, and hath blotted them out with the bitter waters, write these: Ex 17:14 De 31:19 2Ch 34:24 Job 31:35 Jer 51:60-64 1Co 16:21,22 Rev 20:12 blot: Ps 51:1,9 Isa 43:25 44:22 Ac 3:19 Numbers 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries CURSES WASHED INTO WATER OF BITTERNESS The priest shall then write these curses on a scroll, and he shall wash them off into the water of bitterness - The water of bitterness was likely literally "bitter" and would produce "bitterness" or punishment if the woman were guilty. The Septuagint has "water of reproof (reproach, rebuke)." LXE translates it "water of conviction." The water was bitter tasting and brought a "bitter" curse. NET Note - The words written on the scroll were written with a combination of ingredients mixed into an ink. The idea is probably that they would have been washed or flaked off into the water, so that she drank the words of the curse—it became a part of her being. Bitterness (04751)(mar) is an adjective most often used figuratively to express the emotional response to a destructive, heart-crushing situation. It is used in a literal sense - bitter grape clusters (Dt. 32:32); bitter water (Ex 15:23); food in general (Pr 27:7) Uses in Numbers - Num. 5:18; Num. 5:19; Num. 5:23; Num. 5:24; Num. 5:27 Numbers 5:24 'Then he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that brings a curse, so that the water which brings a curse will go into her and cause bitterness. BGT Numbers 5:24 καὶ ποτιεῖ τὴν γυναῖκα τὸ ὕδωρ τοῦ ἐλεγμοῦ τοῦ ἐπικαταρωμένου καὶ εἰσελεύσεται εἰς αὐτὴν τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ ἐπικαταρώμενον τοῦ ἐλεγμοῦ NET Numbers 5:24 He will make the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and the water that brings a curse will enter her to produce bitterness. NLT Numbers 5:24 He will make the woman drink the bitter water that brings on the curse. When the water enters her body, it will cause bitter suffering if she is guilty. ESV Numbers 5:24 And he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that brings the curse, and the water that brings the curse shall enter into her and cause bitter pain. NIV Numbers 5:24 He shall have the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and this water will enter her and cause bitter suffering. KJV Numbers 5:24 And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter. YLT Numbers 5:24 and hath caused the woman to drink the bitter waters which cause the curse, and the waters which cause the curse have entered into her for bitter things. LXE Numbers 5:24 And he shall cause the woman to drink the water of the conviction that brings the curse; and the water of the conviction that brings the curse shall enter into her. Zec 5:3,4 Mal 3:5 Numbers 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Then he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that brings a curse - She would in consequence drink the very words of the execration. So that the water which brings a curse will go into her and cause bitterness NET Note - The water was “bitter” in view of the consequences it held for her if she was proven to be guilty. The bitter water, if it convicted her, would pronounce a curse on her. Numbers 5:25 'The priest shall take the grain offering of jealousy from the woman's hand, and he shall wave the grain offering before the LORD and bring it to the altar; BGT Numbers 5:25 καὶ λήμψεται ὁ ἱερεὺς ἐκ χειρὸς τῆς γυναικὸς τὴν θυσίαν τῆς ζηλοτυπίας καὶ ἐπιθήσει τὴν θυσίαν ἔναντι κυρίου καὶ προσοίσει αὐτὴν πρὸς τὸ θυσιαστήριον NET Numbers 5:25 The priest will take the grain offering of suspicion from the woman's hand, wave the grain offering before the LORD, and bring it to the altar. NLT Numbers 5:25 "The priest will take the jealousy offering from the woman's hand, lift it up before the LORD, and carry it to the altar. ESV Numbers 5:25 And the priest shall take the grain offering of jealousy out of the woman's hand and shall wave the grain offering before the LORD and bring it to the altar. NIV Numbers 5:25 The priest is to take from her hands the grain offering for jealousy, wave it before the LORD and bring it to the altar. KJV Numbers 5:25 Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the offering before the LORD, and offer it upon the altar: YLT Numbers 5:25 'And the priest hath taken out of the hand of the woman the present of jealousy, and hath waved the present before Jehovah, and hath brought it near unto the altar; LXE Numbers 5:25 And the priest shall take from the hand of the woman the sacrifice of jealousy, and shall present the sacrifice before the Lord, and shall bring it to the altar. priest: Nu 5:15,18 wave: Ex 29:24 Lev 8:27 Numbers 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries The priest shall take the grain offering of jealousy from the woman's hand, and he shall wave the grain offering before the LORD and bring it to the altar - "Shall move it to and fro in token of presentation or dedication to the Lord." (Bush) Jealousy (07068)(qin'ah means ardor, zeal, jealousy.(from colour produced in face by deep emotion); ardour of jealousy of husband Proverbs 6:34; Proverbs 27:4; The picture is that of intense fervor, passion, and emotion. Key word in Numbers 5 - Num. 5:14; Num. 5:15; Num. 5:18; Num. 5:25; Num. 5:29; Num. 5:30; Num. 25:11; Numbers 5:26 and the priest shall take a handful of the grain offering as its memorial offering and offer it up in smoke on the altar, and afterward he shall make the woman drink the water. BGT Numbers 5:26 καὶ δράξεται ὁ ἱερεὺς ἀπὸ τῆς θυσίας τὸ μνημόσυνον αὐτῆς καὶ ἀνοίσει αὐτὸ ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα ποτιεῖ τὴν γυναῖκα τὸ ὕδωρ NET Numbers 5:26 Then the priest will take a handful of the grain offering as its memorial portion, burn it on the altar, and afterward make the woman drink the water. NLT Numbers 5:26 He will take a handful of the flour as a token portion and burn it on the altar, and he will require the woman to drink the water. ESV Numbers 5:26 And the priest shall take a handful of the grain offering, as its memorial portion, and burn it on the altar, and afterward shall make the woman drink the water. NIV Numbers 5:26 The priest is then to take a handful of the grain offering as a memorial offering and burn it on the altar; after that, he is to have the woman drink the water. KJV Numbers 5:26 And the priest shall take an handful of the offering, even the memorial thereof, and burn it upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water. YLT Numbers 5:26 and the priest hath taken a handful of the present, its memorial, and hath made perfume on the altar, and afterwards doth cause the woman to drink the water: LXE Numbers 5:26 And the priest shall take a handful of the sacrifice as a memorial of it, and shall offer it up upon the altar; and afterwards he shall cause the woman to drink the water. Lev 2:2,9 5:12 6:15 Numbers 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries and the priest shall take a handful of the grain offering as its memorial offering and offer it up in smoke on the altar, and afterward he shall make the woman drink the water - Bush - "This handful was to be the memorial immediately after spoken of. See Note, Lev. 2:2, where the nature of the “memorial” is explained. The portion of the offering that remained after the memorial-handful was taken out was eaten by the priest, unless the husband was a priest, when it was scattered among the ashes. This offering, in the midst of the transaction, was a solemn acknowledgment that the whole affair was to be conducted under the Lord’s auspices, and that he was appealed to as a God “from whom no secret is hid.” Numbers 5:27 '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. BGT Numbers 5:27 καὶ ἔσται ἐὰν ᾖ μεμιαμμένη καὶ λήθῃ λάθῃ τὸν ἄνδρα αὐτῆς καὶ εἰσελεύσεται εἰς αὐτὴν τὸ ὕδωρ τοῦ ἐλεγμοῦ τὸ ἐπικαταρώμενον καὶ πρησθήσεται τὴν κοιλίαν καὶ διαπεσεῖται ὁ μηρὸς αὐτῆς καὶ ἔσται ἡ γυνὴ εἰς ἀρὰν ἐν τῷ λαῷ αὐτῆς NET Numbers 5:27 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. NLT Numbers 5:27 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,1 and her name will become a curse among her people. ESV Numbers 5:27 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 ashall become a curse among her people. NIV Numbers 5:27 If she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then when she is made to drink the water that brings a curse, it will go into her and cause bitter suffering; her abdomen will swell and her thigh waste away,1 and she will become accurseda among her people. KJV Numbers 5:27 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. YLT Numbers 5:27 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. LXE Numbers 5:27 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. if she be defiled: Nu 5:20 Pr 5:4-11 Ec 7:26 Ro 6:21 2Co 2:16 Heb 10:26-30 2Pe 2:10 the woman: De 28:37 Ps 83:9-11 Isa 65:15 Jer 24:9 29:18,22 42:18 Zec 8:13 Numbers 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE PROOFS IN THE PUDDING! If she were guilty it would soon be obvious and the same if she were not guilty. '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. Defile (make unclean) (02930) see note on tame Numbers 5:28 'But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will then be free and conceive children. BGT Numbers 5:28 ἐὰν δὲ μὴ μιανθῇ ἡ γυνὴ καὶ καθαρὰ ᾖ καὶ ἀθῴα ἔσται καὶ ἐκσπερματιεῖ σπέρμα NET Numbers 5:28 But if the woman has not defiled herself, and is clean, then she will be free of ill effects and will be able to bear children. NLT Numbers 5:28 But if she has not defiled herself and is pure, then she will be unharmed and will still be able to have children. ESV Numbers 5:28 But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, then she shall be free and shall conceive children. NIV Numbers 5:28 If, however, the woman has not defiled herself and is free from impurity, she will be cleared of guilt and will be able to have children. KJV Numbers 5:28 And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed. YLT Numbers 5:28 'And if the woman hath not been defiled, and is clean, then she hath been acquitted, and hath been sown with seed. And if: Nu 5:19 Mic 7:7-10 2Co 4:17 1Pe 1:7 and shall: Ps 113:9 Numbers 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will then be free and conceive children - The fact that she was now free to conceive children implies that the curse would bring barrenness on the guilty woman. NIVSB - For a woman in the ancient Near East to be denied the ability to bear children was a personal loss of inestimable proportions. Since it was in the bearing of children that a woman’s worth was realized in the ancient world, this was a grievous punishment. Defile (make unclean) (02930) see note on tame Numbers 5:29 'This is the law of jealousy: when a wife, being under the authority of her husband, goes astray and defiles herself, BGT Numbers 5:29 οὗτος ὁ νόμος τῆς ζηλοτυπίας ᾧ ἐὰν παραβῇ ἡ γυνὴ ὑπ᾽ ἀνδρὸς οὖσα καὶ μιανθῇ NET Numbers 5:29 "'This is the law for cases of jealousy, when a wife, while under her husband's authority, goes astray and defiles herself, NLT Numbers 5:29 "This is the ritual law for dealing with suspicion. If a woman goes astray and defiles herself while under her husband's authority, ESV Numbers 5:29 "This is the law in cases of jealousy, when a wife, athough under her husband's authority, goes astray and defiles herself, NIV Numbers 5:29 " 'This, then, is the law of jealousy when a woman goes astray and defiles herself while married to her husband, KJV Numbers 5:29 This is the law of jealousies, when a wife goeth aside to another instead of her husband, and is defiled; YLT Numbers 5:29 'This is the law of jealousies, when a wife turneth aside under her husband, and hath been defiled, LXE Numbers 5:29 This is the law of jealousy, wherein a married woman should happen to transgress, and be defiled; the law: Lev 7:11 11:46 13:59 14:54-57 15:32,33 when a wife goeth: Nu 5:12,15,19 Isa 5:7,8 Numbers 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries This is the law of jealousy: when a wife, being under the authority of her husband, goes astray and defiles herself, Jealousy (07068)(qin'ah means ardor, zeal, jealousy.(from colour produced in face by deep emotion); ardour of jealousy of husband Proverbs 6:34; Proverbs 27:4; The picture is that of intense fervor, passion, and emotion. Key word in Numbers 5 - Num. 5:14; Num. 5:15; Num. 5:18; Num. 5:25; Num. 5:29; Num. 5:30; Num. 25:11; Defiles (make unclean) (02930) see note on tame Numbers 5:30 or when a spirit of jealousy comes over a man and he is jealous of his wife, he shall then make the woman stand before the LORD, and the priest shall apply all this law to her. BGT Numbers 5:30 ἢ ἄνθρωπος ᾧ ἐὰν ἐπέλθῃ ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸν πνεῦμα ζηλώσεως καὶ ζηλώσῃ τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ καὶ στήσει τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ ἔναντι κυρίου καὶ ποιήσει αὐτῇ ὁ ἱερεὺς πάντα τὸν νόμον τοῦτον NET Numbers 5:30 or when jealous feelings come over a man and he becomes suspicious of his wife; then he must have the woman stand before the LORD, and the priest will carry out all this law upon her. NLT Numbers 5:30 or if a man becomes jealous and is suspicious that his wife has been unfaithful, the husband must present his wife before the LORD, and the priest will apply this entire ritual law to her. ESV Numbers 5:30 or when the spirit of jealousy comes over a man and he is jealous of his wife. Then he shall set the woman before the LORD, and the priest shall carry out for her all this law. NIV Numbers 5:30 or when feelings of jealousy come over a man because he suspects his wife. The priest is to have her stand before the LORD and is to apply this entire law to her. KJV Numbers 5:30 Or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he be jealous over his wife, and shall set the woman before the LORD, and the priest shall execute upon her all this law. YLT Numbers 5:30 or when a spirit of jealousy passeth over a man, and he hath been jealous of his wife, then he hath caused the woman to stand before Jehovah, and the priest hath done to her all this law, LXE Numbers 5:30 or in the case of a man on whomsoever the spirit of jealousy should come, and he should be jealous of his wife, and he should place his wife before the Lord, and the priest shall execute towards her all this law. Numbers 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries or when a spirit of jealousy comes over a man and he is jealous of his wife, he shall then make the woman stand before the LORD, and the priest shall apply all this law to her Jealous (zealous)(07065)(qanah from qin'ah = zeal, ardor - from color produced in face by deep emotion) means to be jealous, to be envious, to be zealous. The picture is that of intense fervor, passion, and emotion. Zeal is an eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something and implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause. Jealousy can be righteous or unrighteous - e.g., Genesis 37:11 records that Joseph's "brothers were jealous of him" and here we see the mindset and emotion of their fleshly jealousy led to unrighteous deeds! Contrast Phinehas godly jealousy that motivated righteous deeds! Brian Bell - Put your spouse before the Lord - What do you do if you have suspicions your spouse has been unfaithful these days? 1st step is to look in their eyes & ask/confront them. 2nd step set/bring them before the Lord (16,30) - i.e. pray “God, please expose them!” We may not have this law today, but we have an all-seeing God to whom we will answer one day! Remember even hidden unfaithfulness can create a spirit of jealousy/doubt. Even when infidelity isn’t discovered, it changes who you are. A person goes from being a candid, open human being to a secretive, hidden one. Marriages can and do survive affairs, and many become stronger having weathered the crisis but not without pain and a genuine desire to recommit. - 4 P’s for Prevention: Be protective of your marriage. Avoid risky situations(alone w/opposite sex). Most people do not plan to be unfaithful! Be positive. Look for what is right in your spouse and tell him or her daily. People who commit adultery are often looking for appreciation & affirmation. Be polite. Always talk to your spouse with respect. Be careful what you say to each other and how you say it. Show courtesy and caring in the way you treat one another. Be playful, and make fun, sex, and humor a mainstay in your marriage. Schedule time to play with one another, and have a date nights. Numbers 5:31 'Moreover, the man will be free from guilt, but that woman shall bear her guilt.'" BGT Numbers 5:31 καὶ ἀθῷος ἔσται ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἀπὸ ἁμαρτίας καὶ ἡ γυνὴ ἐκείνη λήμψεται τὴν ἁμαρτίαν αὐτῆς NET Numbers 5:31 Then the man will be free from iniquity, but that woman will bear the consequences3 of her iniquity.'"4 NLT Numbers 5:31 The husband will be innocent of any guilt in this matter, but his wife will be held accountable for her sin." ESV Numbers 5:31 The man shall be free from iniquity, but the woman ashall bear her iniquity." NIV Numbers 5:31 The husband will be innocent of any wrongdoing, but the woman will bear the consequencesa of her sin.' " KJV Numbers 5:31 Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity, and this woman shall bear her iniquity. YLT Numbers 5:31 and the man hath been acquitted from iniquity, and that woman doth bear her iniquity.' LXE Numbers 5:31 Then the man shall be clear from sin, and that woman shall bear her sin. be guiltless: Ps 37:6 bear: Nu 9:13 Lev 20:10,17-20 Eze 18:4 Ro 2:8,9 Numbers 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Moreover, the man will be free from guilt - The man refers to her husband. but that woman shall bear her guilt The word for guilt is 'avon which is iniquity or guilt tantamount to a twisting of God's standard or deviation from it. Currid applies this section - The sanctity of the marriage covenant in ancient Israel is underscored by this law. Adultery is a serious offence against God’s gift and expectation for marriage. The bond of marriage must be protected; fidelity and virtue in marriage are required and nonnegotiable. In our own day and age we look at these laws of Numbers 5 and we see them as barbaric, outdated and unnecessary. And, indeed, these laws are no longer binding on the people of God. Yet let us not throw the baby out with the bathwater! We live in a day in which marriage itself is shunned and seen as being out of date. Adultery is apparently very common in this day and age; there seem to be no holds barred. Nevertheless God’s expectations have not changed.