then he is to bring his wife to the priest. He must also bring for her an offering of a tenth of an ephah of barley flour. He is not to pour oil over it or put frankincense on it, because it is a grain offering for jealousy, an offering of memorial as a reminder of iniquity. then he is to bring his wife to the priestIn ancient Israel, the priest served as a mediator between God and the people. The act of bringing one's wife to the priest signifies a formal and sacred process, acknowledging the priest's role in discerning truth and administering justice. This reflects the seriousness of the situation and the need for divine guidance in resolving matters of jealousy and suspicion. He must also bring an offering of a tenth of an ephah of barley flour on her behalf
The offering of barley flour, rather than the more common wheat, is significant. Barley was considered a more humble grain, often associated with the poor. The "tenth of an ephah" indicates a specific, measured amount, emphasizing the precision and care required in approaching God. This offering symbolizes the husband's desire for truth and resolution, presented humbly before the Lord. He is not to pour oil over it or put frankincense on it
Oil and frankincense were typically used in offerings to symbolize joy and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Their absence here underscores the somber nature of this offering. It is not a time for celebration or sweet aroma but a serious inquiry into potential sin. This omission highlights the gravity of the situation and the need for sober reflection. because it is a grain offering for jealousy
The term "jealousy" here refers to a spirit of suspicion and the potential breach of trust within a marriage. This offering is unique, designed to address the emotional and spiritual turmoil caused by jealousy. It serves as a tangible expression of the husband's concerns and a plea for divine intervention to reveal the truth. a reminder offering to draw attention to iniquity
This phrase indicates the purpose of the offering: to bring hidden sin to light. It serves as a "reminder" to both the individuals involved and the community of the seriousness of sin and the need for accountability. The offering acts as a catalyst for introspection and repentance, urging all parties to seek God's truth and justice. Persons / Places / Events 1. The HusbandThe man who suspects his wife of infidelity and brings her to the priest. 2. The WifeThe woman accused of being unfaithful, who is brought before the priest. 3. The PriestThe religious leader who performs the ritual and receives the offering. 4. The TabernacleThe sacred place where the ritual is conducted. 5. The OfferingA tenth of an ephah of barley flour, brought as a grain offering for jealousy. Teaching Points Understanding JealousyJealousy can be a destructive force in relationships. This passage highlights the need to address suspicions and seek resolution. The Role of RitualsIn ancient Israel, rituals served as a means to address community and personal issues. Today, we can learn the importance of addressing relational issues with intentionality and care. The Importance of EvidenceThe ritual underscores the need for evidence and due process in accusations, reminding us to seek truth and justice in our interactions. Spiritual AccountabilityBringing the matter before the priest symbolizes seeking divine guidance and accountability in resolving conflicts. Symbolism of the OfferingThe absence of oil and incense in the offering signifies the seriousness of the accusation and the focus on uncovering truth rather than seeking favor. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the ritual in Numbers 5:15 reflect the seriousness with which God views marital fidelity? 2. In what ways can jealousy impact our relationships today, and how can we address it biblically? 3. How does the requirement of a grain offering without oil or incense emphasize the nature of the accusation? 4. What can we learn from this passage about seeking resolution and reconciliation in our relationships? 5. How do the principles in Numbers 5:15 relate to Jesus' teachings on reconciliation and forgiveness in the New Testament? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 2Discusses grain offerings, providing context for the type of offering brought in Numbers 5:15. Proverbs 6:34Speaks about jealousy, which is central to the ritual described in Numbers 5:15. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7Contrasts the destructive nature of jealousy with the attributes of love. Matthew 5:23-24Encourages reconciliation and addressing grievances, which can be related to resolving suspicions in relationships. People Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces SinaiTopics Attention, Barley, Barley-meal, Behalf, Bitter, Bri, Bring, Bringing, Causing, Cereal, Draw, Ephah, Flour, Frankincense, Grain, Guilt, Incense, Iniquity, Jealousy, Keeping, Meal, Meal-offering, Memorial, Memory, Mind, Oblation, Offering, Oil, One-tenth, Perfume, Pour, Present, Priest, Remembrance, Reminder, Required, Spirit, Tenth, Thereon, Wife, WrongdoingDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 5:15 4488 oil
7368 grain offering 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 5:15 NIVNumbers 5:15 NLTNumbers 5:15 ESVNumbers 5:15 NASBNumbers 5:15 KJV
Numbers 5:15 Commentaries
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