After the priest has the woman stand before the LORD, he is to let down her hair and place in her hands the grain offering of memorial, which is the grain offering for jealousy. The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse. The priestIn ancient Israel, the priest served as a mediator between God and the people. The Hebrew word for priest, "kohen," signifies one who is set apart for sacred duties. The priest's role in this passage underscores the seriousness of the ritual and the need for divine intervention in matters of marital fidelity. is to have the woman stand before the LORD
Standing before the LORD indicates being in the presence of God, a place of judgment and truth. This phrase emphasizes the solemnity of the occasion, as the woman is brought before God to determine her innocence or guilt. It reflects the belief that God is the ultimate judge of human hearts. loosen her hair
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a woman's hair was often a symbol of her dignity and status. Loosening the hair could signify a state of vulnerability or humility. This act may symbolize the uncovering of truth, as the woman stands before God in a state of openness and honesty. and place in her hands the reminder offering
The "reminder offering" is a tangible representation of the situation at hand. The Hebrew term "azkarah" suggests a memorial or something that brings to mind. This offering serves as a physical reminder of the covenant of marriage and the seriousness of the accusation. the grain offering for jealousy
This specific offering, "minchah qena'ot" in Hebrew, is unique to this ritual. It highlights the emotional and spiritual turmoil associated with jealousy. The grain offering, typically associated with thanksgiving and dedication, here takes on a somber tone, reflecting the gravity of the situation. while he himself holds the bitter water that brings a curse
The "bitter water" is a mixture used in this ritual to determine the truth of the accusation. The Hebrew word "marim" for bitter suggests something unpleasant or distressing. This water, held by the priest, symbolizes the potential consequences of sin and the divine judgment that follows. The phrase "brings a curse" indicates the seriousness of invoking God's name in the pursuit of truth, as curses in the biblical context were seen as powerful and binding. Persons / Places / Events 1. The PriestA mediator between God and the people, responsible for performing the ritual described in this passage. 2. The WomanThe subject of the ritual, accused of infidelity, standing before the LORD for judgment. 3. The LORDThe divine presence before whom the ritual is conducted, signifying His role as the ultimate judge. 4. The Reminder OfferingA grain offering symbolizing the jealousy and the situation at hand, held by the woman. 5. The Bitter WaterA concoction used in the ritual, believed to reveal the truth about the woman's fidelity. Teaching Points The Role of the PriestThe priest acts as a mediator, highlighting the importance of spiritual leadership and guidance in resolving conflicts and seeking truth. The Significance of RitualsThis passage underscores the role of rituals in the Old Testament as a means of seeking divine judgment and maintaining community purity. God as the Ultimate JudgeThe ritual emphasizes that God is the ultimate judge of truth and righteousness, reminding believers to seek His wisdom in times of doubt. The Importance of IntegrityThe passage calls for personal integrity and faithfulness, encouraging believers to live lives that are above reproach. The Power of SymbolismThe use of physical symbols (the offering and the bitter water) in the ritual serves as a reminder of the spiritual realities they represent. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the role of the priest in Numbers 5:18 inform our understanding of spiritual leadership today? 2. In what ways does the ritual in Numbers 5:18 reflect the seriousness with which God views marital fidelity? 3. How can we apply the principle of seeking God's judgment in our own lives when faced with accusations or doubts? 4. What are some modern-day "rituals" or practices that help us maintain integrity and faithfulness in our relationships? 5. How does the concept of God as the ultimate judge in Numbers 5:18 connect with Jesus' response to the woman caught in adultery in John 8? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 20:10Discusses the consequences of adultery, providing context for the seriousness of the accusation in Numbers 5. John 8:3-11The account of the woman caught in adultery, showing Jesus' approach to accusations and judgment. 1 Corinthians 11:5-6Discusses head coverings for women, providing cultural context for the uncovering of the woman's head in Numbers 5:18. Psalm 139:23-24A prayer for God to search and know one's heart, paralleling the purpose of the ritual in revealing truth. People Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces SinaiTopics Bitter, Bitterness, Bringeth, Brings, Cause, Caused, Causeth, Causing, Cereal, Curse, Grain, Hair, Hands, Holds, Jealousy, Jealousy-offering, Loose, Loosen, Meal, Meal-offering, Memorial, Oblation, Offering, Present, Priest, Remembrance, Reminder, Spirit, Stand, Unbind, Uncover, Uncovered, Waters, Woman'sDictionary of Bible Themes 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 5:18 NIVNumbers 5:18 NLTNumbers 5:18 ESVNumbers 5:18 NASBNumbers 5:18 KJV
Numbers 5:18 Commentaries
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