and 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. then the priest shall have the woman swearIn ancient Israel, the role of the priest was pivotal in maintaining the spiritual and communal order. The Hebrew word for "priest" is "kohen," which signifies a mediator between God and the people. The act of swearing an oath was a solemn declaration, invoking divine witness to the truth of one's words. This reflects the seriousness with which God views truth and integrity, especially in matters of marital fidelity. under the oath of the curse
The "oath of the curse" was a binding declaration with severe consequences for falsehood. In Hebrew, "alah" refers to a curse or an imprecation. This was not merely a legal formality but a spiritual act that placed the woman under divine scrutiny. It underscores the belief that God is the ultimate judge of truth and falsehood, and His justice is both feared and revered. ‘May the LORD make you an attested curse
The invocation of "the LORD" (YHWH) highlights the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. The phrase "attested curse" suggests a public acknowledgment of divine judgment. The Hebrew root "alah" again emphasizes the seriousness of invoking God's name in matters of truth. This reflects the community's reliance on God to uphold justice and purity within the camp. among your people
The phrase "among your people" indicates the communal aspect of the law. In ancient Israel, individual actions had communal repercussions. The integrity of the family unit was vital for the health of the entire community. This reflects the biblical principle that sin is not just a personal matter but affects the broader community, emphasizing the need for communal holiness. if He makes your thigh shrivel and your belly swell
The physical manifestations described—"thigh shrivel" and "belly swell"—are symbolic of divine judgment. In Hebrew culture, the thigh was often associated with strength and procreation, while the belly was linked to life and sustenance. The imagery here is stark, serving as a visible sign of God's judgment. It underscores the belief that God is intimately involved in the lives of His people, and His judgments are both just and visible. Persons / Places / Events 1. The PriestA religious leader responsible for administering the oath and the ritual described in this passage. The priest acts as an intermediary between God and the people. 2. The WomanThe subject of the ritual, suspected of infidelity. She is brought before the priest to undergo a test of her faithfulness. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is invoked in the oath. His involvement underscores the seriousness of the ritual and the divine judgment it represents. 4. The Oath of the CurseA solemn declaration invoking divine judgment if the woman is guilty. It is a formalized ritual meant to reveal truth and maintain community purity. 5. The Israelite CommunityThe broader context in which this event takes place, emphasizing communal holiness and the social implications of personal sin. Teaching Points The Seriousness of SinSin, particularly adultery, is taken seriously in the community of Israel. It affects not only the individuals involved but the entire community's holiness. The Role of the PriestThe priest serves as a mediator, highlighting the need for spiritual leadership and guidance in resolving conflicts and maintaining community standards. Divine Justice and MercyWhile the passage emphasizes divine justice, it also points to the need for mercy and forgiveness, as seen in the broader biblical account. Community ResponsibilityThe community is responsible for upholding God's standards, emphasizing the importance of accountability and support within the body of believers. Faith and Trust in GodThe ritual underscores the need for faith and trust in God's justice, encouraging believers to rely on Him for truth and vindication. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the role of the priest in Numbers 5:21 reflect the importance of spiritual leadership in addressing sin within a community? 2. In what ways does the ritual described in Numbers 5:21 emphasize the seriousness of sin and its impact on the community? 3. How can we balance the need for justice with the call for mercy and forgiveness in our own lives, as seen in the broader biblical account? 4. What lessons can we learn from the communal aspect of this passage about our responsibility to uphold God's standards in our own communities? 5. How does the concept of divine justice in Numbers 5:21 encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty and righteousness in our personal and communal lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 20:10This passage outlines the consequences of adultery, providing context for the seriousness of the accusation in Numbers 5:21. Deuteronomy 19:15-21Discusses the importance of witnesses and justice, highlighting the need for truth in accusations and the protection of the innocent. John 8:3-11The account of the woman caught in adultery, where Jesus emphasizes mercy and forgiveness, offering a New Testament perspective on dealing with sin. People Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces SinaiTopics Abdomen, Adjure, Allows, Belly, Body, Cause, Caused, Causes, Charge, Curse, Cursing, Denounce, Disease, Execration, Fall, Giving, Legs, Lord's, Makes, Making, Midst, Oath, Perish, Priest, Rot, Sending, Shrink, Stomach, Swear, Swell, Thigh, Waste, WastingDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 5:21 5979 waste Numbers 5:11-28 4456 grain Numbers 5:11-31 5472 proof, evidence
8830 suspicion Numbers 5:19-22 7348 defilement Numbers 5:20-22 5185 stomach Numbers 5:21-22 5190 thigh 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 5:21 NIVNumbers 5:21 NLTNumbers 5:21 ESVNumbers 5:21 NASBNumbers 5:21 KJV
Numbers 5:21 Commentaries
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