◄ Numbers 5:26 ►
Then the priest is to take a handful of the grain offering as a memorial portion and burn it on the altar; after that he is to have the woman drink the water.
Study Bible
The priest
In the context of ancient Israel, the priest held a significant role 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 involvement in this ritual underscores the seriousness of the proceedings and the divine authority under which the ritual is conducted. It reflects the priest's role in maintaining the holiness and purity of the community.

is then to take
This phrase indicates a specific action that follows a prescribed order. The Hebrew verb "laqach" means to take or seize, suggesting a deliberate and careful action. The priest's actions are not arbitrary but are part of a divinely ordained process, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commands.

a handful of the grain offering
The grain offering, or "minchah" in Hebrew, was a common form of offering in the Old Testament, symbolizing the fruits of human labor and devotion to God. The act of taking a handful signifies a portion that represents the whole, a memorial before God. This offering is a tangible expression of faith and submission to God's will.

as a memorial portion
The term "memorial" in Hebrew is "azkarah," which means a remembrance or reminder. This portion of the offering serves as a reminder before God of the covenant relationship between Him and His people. It is a symbolic act that calls upon God to remember His promises and the faithfulness of His people.

and burn it on the altar
Burning the offering on the altar signifies its dedication to God. The altar, a sacred place of sacrifice, represents the meeting point between the divine and the human. The act of burning transforms the physical offering into a spiritual act of worship, symbolizing purification and the ascent of the offering to God.

After that
This phrase indicates a sequence of events, highlighting the orderliness and structure of the ritual. It underscores the importance of following God's instructions precisely, reflecting the broader biblical theme of obedience and faithfulness.

he is to have the woman drink the water
The drinking of the water is the culmination of the ritual, a test of innocence or guilt. The water, mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor, symbolizes the presence and judgment of God. This act serves as a divine test, reflecting the belief that God is the ultimate judge of truth and righteousness. It underscores the seriousness of marital fidelity and the sanctity of the marriage covenant in the eyes of God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Priest
A religious leader responsible for performing the ritual described in this passage. The priest acts as an intermediary between God and the people, executing the ceremonial law.

2. The Woman
The subject of the ritual, suspected of unfaithfulness. Her participation in this ritual is part of a broader legal and religious process.

3. The Grain Offering
A sacrificial offering made of grain, symbolizing dedication and submission to God. It serves as a memorial portion in this context.

4. The Altar
A sacred place where offerings are made to God. It represents God's presence and the place of atonement and worship.

5. The Water
Part of the ritual, this water is mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor and is used to test the woman's faithfulness.
Teaching Points
The Role of the Priest
The priest's role as an intermediary emphasizes the importance of spiritual leadership and accountability in the community.

Symbolism of the Grain Offering
The grain offering represents dedication to God, reminding believers of the need for personal sacrifice and commitment in their spiritual walk.

The Altar as a Place of Worship
The altar signifies God's presence and the importance of approaching Him with reverence and sincerity.

Testing and Faithfulness
The ritual underscores the seriousness of faithfulness in relationships and the need for integrity before God.

God's Justice and Mercy
While the ritual reflects God's justice, it also points to His desire for truth and reconciliation, encouraging believers to seek His mercy.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the priest in Numbers 5:26 inform our understanding of spiritual leadership today?

2. In what ways does the grain offering in this passage symbolize our own dedication to God, and how can we apply this in our daily lives?

3. How does the concept of the altar as a place of worship and sacrifice relate to our personal worship practices?

4. What lessons can we learn from the testing of the woman's faithfulness, and how can we apply these lessons to our own relationships?

5. How does the balance of justice and mercy in this passage reflect God's character, and how can we emulate this balance in our interactions with others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 2
Discusses the grain offering, providing context for its use and significance in Israelite worship.

John 8:1-11
The account of the woman caught in adultery, highlighting themes of judgment, mercy, and the role of Jesus as the ultimate judge.

Psalm 26:2
A prayer for God to test and examine one's heart, paralleling the testing of the woman's faithfulness.
Sermons
A Fallacious Test of InnocenceScientific IllustrationsNumbers 5:11-31
Innocence Mysteriously DeclaredCaroline's Fox's JournalNumbers 5:11-31
Innocence Strangely DeclaredW. Smith.Numbers 5:11-31
The Trial of JealousyD. Young Numbers 5:11-31
The Trial of the Suspected WifeW. Jones.Numbers 5:11-31
People
Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Sinai
Topics
Afterward, Afterwards, Altar, Bitter, Burn, Burning, Cause, Cereal, Drink, Grain, Handful, Meal, Meal-offering, Memorial, Memorial-part, Oblation, Offer, Offering, Perfume, Portion, Present, Priest, Sign, Smoke, Thereof
Dictionary 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 Piety

Ciii. 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

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