◄ Numbers 5:28 ►
But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will be unaffected and able to conceive children.
Study Bible
But if the woman has not defiled herself
This phrase introduces a conditional scenario, emphasizing the importance of personal integrity and purity. The Hebrew word for "defiled" is "טָמֵא" (tamei), which means to be unclean or impure, often in a ritualistic or moral sense. In the context of ancient Israel, maintaining ritual purity was crucial for community and religious life. This phrase reassures that if the woman is innocent of the charges against her, she remains in a state of purity before God and the community.

and is clean
The term "clean" in Hebrew is "טָהוֹר" (tahor), signifying purity and ceremonial cleanliness. This concept is central to the Levitical laws, where being clean was necessary for participation in worship and community activities. The assurance of being "clean" underscores the woman's innocence and her rightful place within the covenant community. It reflects God's justice and the restoration of her honor and status.

she will be unaffected
This phrase indicates that the woman will not suffer any negative consequences from the ordeal. The Hebrew context suggests a divine protection over her, affirming that God upholds justice and truth. The absence of adverse effects serves as a divine vindication of her innocence, reinforcing the belief that God is a righteous judge who protects the innocent.

and able to conceive children
In ancient Israel, fertility was seen as a blessing from God and a sign of His favor. The ability to conceive children was highly valued and often linked to a woman's identity and status. This promise of fertility is a powerful affirmation of the woman's innocence and God's blessing upon her life. It highlights the restoration of her role within the family and community, ensuring her future and legacy.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Woman
Central to this verse, she is the subject of the test for adultery described in Numbers 5. Her innocence or guilt is determined by a ritual involving a priest.

2. The Priest
The religious leader who administers the test of purity. He plays a crucial role in mediating between God and the people, ensuring the ritual is conducted according to divine instructions.

3. The Husband
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, he is the one who brings his wife to the priest if he suspects her of infidelity.

4. The Tabernacle
The place where the ritual takes place, symbolizing God's presence among His people and the seriousness of maintaining purity within the community.

5. The Ritual of Jealousy
An event described in Numbers 5, where a woman suspected of adultery undergoes a specific ritual to determine her innocence or guilt.
Teaching Points
God's Justice and Mercy
The ritual underscores God's justice in dealing with sin but also His mercy in protecting the innocent. It reminds us that God knows the truth of every situation.

The Importance of Purity
This passage highlights the importance of purity within marriage and the community. It calls believers to uphold integrity and faithfulness in their relationships.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
The outcome of the ritual was left in God's hands, teaching us to trust in His sovereignty and justice in our lives, especially in situations beyond our control.

The Role of Community and Leadership
The involvement of the priest and the community in the ritual emphasizes the role of spiritual leadership and accountability within the body of believers.

Faith and Obedience
The woman's ability to conceive if found innocent symbolizes the blessings of faith and obedience to God's commands.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the ritual described in Numbers 5:28 reflect God's concern for justice and purity within the community?

2. In what ways can we apply the principles of justice and mercy from this passage to our own lives and relationships?

3. How does the role of the priest in this passage inform our understanding of spiritual leadership and accountability today?

4. What can we learn from the connection between purity and blessing as seen in the woman's ability to conceive if found innocent?

5. How do the themes of this passage relate to Jesus' teachings on forgiveness and restoration, as seen in the New Testament?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 20:10
This verse outlines the consequences of adultery, providing context for the seriousness of the accusation and the need for a divine test.

John 8:3-11
The account of the woman caught in adultery highlights Jesus' approach to sin and forgiveness, contrasting with the Old Testament law.

Psalm 139:23-24
A prayer for God to search and know one's heart, reflecting the desire for purity and truth, similar to the purpose of the ritual in Numbers 5.
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
Able, Acquitted, Clean, Clear, Cleared, Conceive, Defiled, Free, Guilt, Herself, However, Impurity, Isn't, Offspring, Seed, Sown
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 5:11-28

     4456   grain

Numbers 5:11-31

     5472   proof, evidence
     8830   suspicion

Numbers 5:27-30

     7348   defilement

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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