Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version May this water that brings a curse enter your body so that your abdomen swells or your womb miscarries.” “’Then the woman is to say, “Amen. So be it.” New Living Translation Now may this water that brings the curse enter your body and cause your abdomen to swell and your womb to shrivel.’ And the woman will be required to say, ‘Yes, let it be so.’ English Standard Version May this water that brings the curse pass into your bowels and make your womb swell and your thigh fall away.’ And the woman shall say, ‘Amen, Amen.’ Berean Standard Bible May this water that brings a curse enter your stomach and cause your belly to swell and your thigh to shrivel.’ Then the woman is to say, ‘Amen, Amen.’ Berean Literal Bible And may these waters that cause the curse go into your stomach, and make swell your belly, and your thigh rot.’ And the woman shall say, ‘Amen, Amen.’ King James Bible And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen. New King James Version and may this water that causes the curse go into your stomach, and make your belly swell and your thigh rot.” ‘Then the woman shall say, “Amen, so be it.” New American Standard Bible and this water that brings a curse shall go into your stomach, to make your belly swell up and your thigh shrivel.” And the woman shall say, “Amen, Amen.” NASB 1995 and this water that brings a curse shall go into your stomach, and make your abdomen swell and your thigh waste away.” And the woman shall say, “Amen. Amen.” NASB 1977 and this water that brings a curse shall go into your stomach, and make your abdomen swell and your thigh waste away.” And the woman shall say, “Amen. Amen.” Legacy Standard Bible and this water that brings curses shall go into your stomach and make your abdomen swell and your thigh fall away.” And the woman shall say, “Amen. Amen.” Amplified Bible and this water that brings a curse shall go into your stomach, and make your abdomen swell and your thigh waste away.” And the woman shall say, “Amen. Amen (so let it be).” Berean Annotated Bible May this water that brings a curse enter your stomach and cause your belly to swell and your thigh to shrivel. Then the woman is to say, ‘Amen, Amen. Christian Standard Bible May this water that brings a curse enter your stomach, causing your belly to swell and your womb to shrivel.’ “And the woman will reply, ‘Amen, Amen.’ Holman Christian Standard Bible May this water that brings a curse enter your stomach, causing your belly to swell and your thigh to shrivel.’” And the woman must reply, ‘Amen, Amen.’” American Standard Version and this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, and make thy body to swell, and thy thigh to fall away. And the woman shall say, Amen, Amen. English Revised Version and this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, and make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to fall away: and the woman shall say, Amen, Amen. GOD'S WORD® Translation 'May this water that can bring a curse go into your body and make your stomach swell and your uterus drop!' "Then the woman will say, 'Amen, amen!' Good News Translation May this water enter your stomach and cause it to swell up and your genital organs to shrink." The woman shall respond, "I agree; may the LORD do so." International Standard Version and this water that brings a curse enters your abdomen, making it swell and your thigh waste away.' "Then the woman is to say 'Amen.' NET Bible and this water that causes the curse will go into your stomach, and make your abdomen swell and your thigh rot." Then the woman must say, "Amen, amen." New Heart English Bible and this water that brings a curse will go into your bowels, and make your body swell, and your thigh fall away.' The woman shall say, 'Amen, Amen.' Webster's Bible Translation And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to perish. And the woman shall say, Amen, amen. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleMay this water that brings a curse enter your stomach and cause your belly to swell and your thigh to shrivel.’ Then the woman is to say, ‘Amen, Amen.’ World English Bible and this water that brings a curse will go into your bowels, and make your body swell, and your thigh fall away.” The woman shall say, “Amen, Amen.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand these waters which cause the curse have gone into your bowels to cause the belly to swell and the thigh to fall; and the woman has said, Amen, Amen. Berean Literal Bible And may these waters that cause the curse go into your stomach, and make swell your belly, and your thigh rot.’ And the woman shall say, ‘Amen, Amen.’ Young's Literal Translation and these waters which cause the curse have gone into thy bowels, to cause the belly to swell, and the thigh to fall; and the woman hath said, Amen, Amen. Smith's Literal Translation And the waters causing the curse shall come into thy bowels, and cause thy belly to come forth, and thy thigh to fall. And the woman said, Amen, amen. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleLet the cursed waters enter into thy belly, and may thy womb swell and thy thigh rot. And the woman shall answer, Amen, amen. Catholic Public Domain Version May the cursed waters enter into your stomach, and may your womb swell and your thigh rot.’ And the woman shall respond: ‘Amen, amen.’ New American Bible May this water, then, that brings a curse, enter your bowels to make your belly swell and your uterus fall!” And the woman shall say, “Amen, amen!” New Revised Standard Version now may this water that brings the curse enter your bowels and make your womb discharge, your uterus drop!” And the woman shall say, “Amen. Amen.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd this water of testing shall go into your belly and make your belly to swell and your thighs to rot; and the woman shall say, Amen, amen. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And these testing waters shall enter your belly and they shall swell your fountains and they shall rot your thighs”, and that woman shall say, "Amen, Amen.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, and make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to fall away'; and the woman shall say: 'Amen, Amen.' Brenton Septuagint Translation and this water bringing the curse shall enter into thy womb to cause thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot. And the woman shall say, So be it, So be it. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Adultery Test…21and the priest shall have the woman swear under the oath of the curse—‘then may the LORD make you an attested curse among your people by making your thigh shrivel and your belly swell. 22May this water that brings a curse enter your stomach and cause your belly to swell and your thigh to shrivel.’ Then the woman is to say, ‘Amen, Amen.’ 23And the priest shall write these curses on a scroll and wash them off into the bitter water.… Cross References May this water that brings a curse Psalm 109:17-18 The cursing that he loved, may it fall on him; the blessing in which he refused to delight, may it be far from him. / The cursing that he wore like a coat, may it soak into his body like water, and into his bones like oil. Deuteronomy 28:15 If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: enter your stomach Revelation 10:9-10 And I went to the angel and said, “Give me the small scroll.” “Take it and eat it,” he said. “It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” / So I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach turned bitter. Ezekiel 3:3 “Son of man,” He said to me, “eat and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you.” So I ate, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. Job 20:12-14 Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he conceals it under his tongue, / though he cannot bear to let it go and keeps it in his mouth, / yet in his stomach his food sours into the venom of cobras within him. and cause your belly to swell Acts 28:6 The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. Deuteronomy 28:27 The LORD will afflict you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors and scabs and itch from which you cannot be cured. 1 Samuel 5:6-12 Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity, ravaging them and afflicting them with tumors. / And when the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not stay here with us, because His hand is heavy upon us and upon our god Dagon.” / So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” “It must be moved to Gath,” they replied. So they carried away the ark of the God of Israel. … and your thigh to shrivel.’ Genesis 32:25-32 When the man saw that he could not overpower Jacob, he struck the socket of Jacob’s hip and dislocated it as they wrestled. / Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” / “What is your name?” the man asked. “Jacob,” he replied. … Job 33:21 His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude. Hosea 9:14 Give them, O LORD—what will You give? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that dry up! Then the woman is to say, ‘Amen, Amen.’ Nehemiah 8:6 Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted, all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Deuteronomy 27:15-26 ‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ / ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ / ‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ … 1 Chronicles 16:36 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.” Then all the people said, “Amen!” and “Praise the LORD!” Leviticus 20:10 If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death. Proverbs 5:4 in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a double-edged sword. Treasury of Scripture And this water that causes the curse shall go into your bowels, to make your belly to swell, and your thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen. go into 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. Psalm 109:18 As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. Proverbs 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. the woman Deuteronomy 27:15-26 Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen… Job 31:21,22,39,40 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: … Psalm 7:4,5 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) … Amen Psalm 41:13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen. Psalm 72:19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. Psalm 89:52 Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen. Jump to Previous Abdomen Amen Belly Body Bowels Cause Causeth Causing Curse Disease Enter Fall Legs Perish Rot Shrink Stomach Swell Swells Thigh Waste Wastes Wasting WatersJump to Next Abdomen Amen Belly Body Bowels Cause Causeth Causing Curse Disease Enter Fall Legs Perish Rot Shrink Stomach Swell Swells Thigh Waste Wastes Wasting WatersNumbers 5 1. The unclean are removed out of camp5. Restitution is to be made in trespass 11. The trial of jealously May this water that brings a curse This phrase refers to the ritual of the "bitter water" described in Numbers 5, which was part of the test for a woman accused of adultery. The water was mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor, symbolizing the holiness and judgment of God. The concept of a curse in the Bible often signifies divine judgment or punishment for sin, as seen in Deuteronomy 28. This ritual underscores the seriousness of marital fidelity and the sanctity of marriage in Israelite society. enter your stomach and cause your belly to swell and your thigh to shrivel Then the woman is to say, ‘Amen, Amen.’ Persons / Places / Events 1. The WomanIn this passage, the woman is the subject of the test for marital unfaithfulness. She is brought before the priest to undergo a ritual that determines her guilt or innocence. 2. The Priest The priest acts as the mediator in this ritual, administering the oath and the bitter water that brings a curse if the woman is guilty. 3. The Bitter Water This is a concoction used in the ritual to test the woman's faithfulness. It symbolizes divine judgment and is believed to cause physical manifestations if the woman is guilty. 4. The Tabernacle The setting for this event, where the presence of God dwells among the Israelites, and where the priest performs the ritual. 5. The Husband Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the husband is the one who brings the accusation of unfaithfulness, prompting the ritual. Teaching Points The Seriousness of Marital FidelityThe ritual underscores the importance of faithfulness in marriage, reflecting God's covenant relationship with His people. The Role of Divine Judgment The ritual serves as a reminder that God is the ultimate judge of human hearts and actions, and His justice is perfect. The Power of Confession and Agreement The woman's response, "Amen, Amen," signifies agreement with God's judgment, highlighting the importance of acknowledging God's authority in our lives. The Importance of Community and Mediation The involvement of the priest and the community in resolving accusations points to the need for accountability and mediation in maintaining relationships. The Call to Mercy and Repentance While the ritual is about judgment, it also points to the need for mercy and the opportunity for repentance, as seen in the broader biblical account. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 5:22?2. How does Numbers 5:22 illustrate the seriousness of covenant faithfulness in marriage? 3. What role does the priest play in Numbers 5:22, and why is it significant? 4. How can Numbers 5:22 be connected to the concept of divine justice in Scripture? 5. In what ways can we apply the principles of Numbers 5:22 to modern relationships? 6. How does Numbers 5:22 emphasize the importance of purity and integrity before God? 7. What is the significance of the curse in Numbers 5:22 for ancient Israelite society? 8. How does Numbers 5:22 reflect the treatment of women in biblical times? 9. What theological implications does Numbers 5:22 have on the concept of divine justice? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 5? 11. Is there any historical or archaeological evidence that this trial by ordeal was actually used (Numbers 5)? 12. Who was Balak in the Bible? 13. Does Numbers 5 describe a ritual related to abortion? 14. What is the ritual for suspected adultery in Numbers? What Does Numbers 5:22 Mean May this water that brings a curse- The “holy water” (Numbers 5:17) mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor is not symbolic only; it is an actual instrument God uses to reveal hidden sin. - The curse is not arbitrary. It is rooted in God’s covenant justice (Leviticus 26:14-16; Deuteronomy 28:15-22). - Because adultery destroys covenant faithfulness, the Lord Himself steps in where human evidence is lacking (Psalm 7:9; Proverbs 5:21). enter your stomach - The water is ingested, showing that guilt or innocence is ultimately an internal matter before God (1 Samuel 16:7; Psalm 51:6). - As the woman drinks, she places her very life under the scrutiny of the Lord who “searches mind and heart” (Jeremiah 17:10). and cause your belly to swell - A literal physical reaction is promised if she is guilty—God ties the spiritual offense to a bodily consequence (Deuteronomy 28:27; 1 Corinthians 11:30). - The swollen abdomen mirrors pregnancy, exposing the crime of conceiving through adultery while at the same time declaring divine judgment on that illicit act. and your thigh to shrivel - “Thigh” often points to the reproductive area (Genesis 24:2; 46:26). Its wasting signifies impaired fertility—a direct hit to the blessing of offspring promised within lawful marriage (Deuteronomy 28:18). - This visible sign prevents the innocent husband from punishing her further and warns the community that God defends marital purity (Hebrews 13:4). Then the woman is to say, ‘Amen, Amen.’ - Doubling “Amen” signals full agreement and submission to God’s verdict (Deuteronomy 27:15-26; Nehemiah 8:6). - By vocalizing amen, she testifies that the Lord is just, whether He vindicates or judges (Job 1:20-22; 2 Corinthians 1:20). - The spoken response seals the oath, reminding us that every word and vow matters before God (Matthew 12:36; Ecclesiastes 5:4-6). summary Numbers 5:22 teaches that God sovereignly protects the marriage covenant and exposes hidden sin. The curse water, literal and potent, places the matter directly in His hands. If guilt exists, He brings visible judgment—swollen belly and shriveled thigh—upholding righteousness and deterring further immorality. If innocence reigns, the absence of these signs publicly clears the woman. In either outcome, the repeated “Amen” affirms that the Lord’s justice is perfect, calling His people to walk in holiness and truth. Verse 22. - Into thy bowels. Cf. Psalm 109:18. Αἰς τὴν κοιλίαν σου, Septuagint. It has been thought that these symptoms belonged to some known disease, such as dropsy (Josephus, Ant.,' 3:11, 6), or ovarian dropsy. But it is clear that the whole matter was outside the range of the known and of the natural. An innocent woman may suffer from dropsy, or any form of it; but this was a wholly peculiar infliction by direct visitation of God. The principle which underlay the infliction was, however, clear: δἰ ῶν γὰρ ἡ ἁμαρτία διὰ τούτων ἡ τιμωρία - the organs of sin are the seat of the plague. Amen, amen. Doubled here, as in the Gospel of John. The woman was to accept (if she dared) the awful ordeal and appeal to God by this response; if she dared not, she pronounced herself guilty.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew May thisהָאֵ֙לֶּה֙ (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those water הַמַּ֨יִם (ham·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen that brings a curse הַמְאָרְרִ֤ים (ham·’ā·rə·rîm) Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 779: To execrate enter וּ֠בָאוּ (ū·ḇā·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go your stomach בְּֽמֵעַ֔יִךְ (bə·mê·‘a·yiḵ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular Strong's 4578: The intestines, the abdomen, sympathy, a vest, the stomach, the uterus, the heart and cause your belly בֶּ֖טֶן (be·ṭen) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 990: The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything to swell לַצְבּ֥וֹת (laṣ·bō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 6638: To amass, grow turgid, to array an army against and your thigh יָרֵ֑ךְ (yā·rêḵ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3409: Thigh,loin, flank, side to shrivel.’ וְלַנְפִּ֣ל (wə·lan·pil) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 5307: To fall, lie Then the woman הָאִשָּׁ֖ה (hā·’iš·šāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female is to say, וְאָמְרָ֥ה (wə·’ā·mə·rāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘Amen, אָמֵ֥ן ׀ (’ā·mên) Adverb Strong's 543: Sure, faithfulness, truly Amen.’ אָמֵֽן׃ (’ā·mên) Adverb Strong's 543: Sure, faithfulness, truly Links Numbers 5:22 NIVNumbers 5:22 NLT Numbers 5:22 ESV Numbers 5:22 NASB Numbers 5:22 KJV Numbers 5:22 BibleApps.com Numbers 5:22 Biblia Paralela Numbers 5:22 Chinese Bible Numbers 5:22 French Bible Numbers 5:22 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 5:22 And this water that brings a curse (Nu Num.) |
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