King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, [and become] bitter.
Complete Jewish Bible:
and make the woman drink the water of embitterment and cursing - the water of cursing will enter her and become bitter.
Berean Standard Bible:
He is to have the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and it will enter her and cause her bitter suffering.
American Standard Version:
and he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that causeth the curse; and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her and become bitter.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he shall cause the woman{H802} to drink{H8248} the bitter{H4751} water{H4325} that causeth the curse{H779}: and the water{H4325} that causeth the curse{H779} shall enter{H935} into her, and become bitter{H4751}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Malachi 3:5
- And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in [his] wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger [from his right], and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 5:3
- Then said he unto me, This [is] the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off [as] on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off [as] on that side according to it.
Zechariah 5:4
- I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 5:24
**Themes:**
- **Justice and Judgment:** The verse describes a ritual used to determine a woman's guilt or innocence in a case of suspected infidelity, reflecting themes of justice and divine judgment in the community.
- **Purity and Holiness:** The ritual underscores the importance of marital fidelity and purity within the Israelite society, which was essential to maintaining the holiness of the community before God.
- **Divine Intervention:** The outcome of the ritual was believed to be determined by God, illustrating a reliance on divine intervention for resolving personal and legal matters.
**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The book of Numbers is set during the time of the Exodus, after the Israelites had left Egypt and were wandering in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land.
- **Social Structure:** The Israelite society was patriarchal, and the laws and rituals reflected the concerns of a society where a woman's sexual conduct was closely tied to her husband's honor and lineage.
- **Covenant Law:** This ritual is part of the detailed legislation given by God to Moses for the governance of the Israelite community, emphasizing the covenantal relationship between God and Israel.
- **Ceremonial Purity:** The ritual highlights the significance of ceremonial purity in ancient Israel, which was integral to their religious practices and identity as a chosen people.
In summary, Numbers 5:24 reflects the themes of justice, purity, and reliance on divine judgment within the historical context of the Israelites' journey to Canaan, governed by covenant law and a strong emphasis on ceremonial purity.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H802
There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. - Strong's Number: H8248
There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁקָה
Transliteration: shâqâh
Pronunciation: shaw-kaw'
Description: a primitive root; to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to; cause to (give, give to, let, make to) drink, drown, moisten, water. See שָׁכַר, שָׁתָה. - Strong's Number: H4751
There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַר
Transliteration: mar
Pronunciation: mar
Description: or (feminine) מָרָה; from מָרַר; bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly; [phrase] angry, bitter(-ly, -ness), chafed, discontented, [idiom] great, heavy. - Strong's Number: H4325
There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַיִם
Transliteration: mayim
Pronunciation: mah'-yim
Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). - Strong's Number: H779
There are 177 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָרַר
Transliteration: ʼârar
Pronunciation: aw-rar'
Description: a primitive root; to execrate; [idiom] bitterly curse. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.