Numbers 5:13

KJV

And a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and [there be] no witness against her, neither she be taken [with the manner];

KJV (with Strong's)

And a man {H376} lie {H7901} with her carnally {H7902}{H2233}, and it be hid {H5956} from the eyes {H5869} of her husband {H376}, and be kept close {H5641}, and she be defiled {H2930}, and there be no witness {H5707} against her, neither she be taken {H8610} with the manner;

Complete Jewish Bible

that is, if another man goes to bed with her without her husband's knowledge, so that she becomes impure secretly, and there is no witness against her, and she was not caught in the act;

Berean Standard Bible

by sleeping with another man, and it is concealed from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act),

American Standard Version

and a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and there be no witness against her, and she be not taken in the act;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 5:13 describes the specific scenario that triggers the "Law of Jealousy" or the "Ordeal of the Bitter Water," a unique divine mechanism within the Mosaic Law designed to address suspected marital infidelity when no human evidence exists. This verse highlights the profound problem of hidden sin: a man suspects his wife of adultery, the act is concealed from all human eyes, and there are no witnesses or direct proof to confirm her defilement, thus necessitating God's direct intervention to reveal the truth and uphold justice within the community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 5:13 is a pivotal verse within the broader "Law of Jealousy," detailed in [Numbers 5:11-31](/numbers/5 "Numbers 5 - The Law of Jealousy"). This section immediately follows laws concerning the removal of unclean persons from the camp ([Numbers 5:1-4](/numbers/5-1 "Numbers 5:1-4 - Removal of Unclean Persons")) and the restitution for wrongs committed ([Numbers 5:5-10](/numbers/5-5 "Numbers 5:5-10 - Law of Restitution")), emphasizing the overarching theme of maintaining purity and order within the Israelite community as they journeyed through the wilderness. The Law of Jealousy itself is a judicial procedure, a divine test by ordeal, specifically designed for cases where a husband suspects his wife of adultery, but there is no concrete evidence or witness testimony to confirm the transgression. Verse 13 precisely outlines the conditions under which this extraordinary divine intervention is required: the alleged act is secret, and human legal processes are insufficient to determine guilt or innocence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, as in many ancient Near Eastern cultures, marital fidelity was paramount, forming the bedrock of family structure, lineage, and communal purity. Adultery was considered a grave sin, a violation of the covenant between spouses and a direct affront to God's law, often punishable by death ([Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery") and [Deuteronomy 22:22](/deuteronomy/22-22 "Deuteronomy 22:22 - Death Penalty for Adultery")). However, the challenge arose when adultery was suspected but not witnessed, leaving the husband in a state of uncertainty and the community without clear grounds for judgment. In a patriarchal society where a woman's honor and the legitimacy of offspring were crucial, unresolved suspicions could lead to significant social instability, domestic strife, and even wrongful accusations. The "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" provided a unique, divinely sanctioned mechanism to resolve such ambiguous cases, ensuring that justice, whether punitive or vindicating, could be rendered by God Himself, thereby upholding the sanctity of marriage and maintaining moral order within the holy nation. This law underscores God's meticulous concern for both individual righteousness and communal well-being, even in the most private and hidden aspects of life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **defiled (Hebrew, _ṭāmēʾ'_):** The Hebrew word טָמֵא (_ṭāmēʾ_) signifies being ritually, morally, or physically unclean or polluted. In the context of Numbers 5:13, it refers specifically to the moral defilement of adultery. This defilement is not merely a social transgression but a spiritual impurity that renders the woman impure in the eyes of God and the community, requiring either divine judgment or vindication. The concept of _ṭāmēʾ_ permeates the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the need for purity in a holy people.
* **kept close (Hebrew, _neʿlam'_):** The Hebrew verb נֶעְלַם (_neʿlam_), from the root עָלָם (_ʿalam_), means "to be hidden," "concealed," or "secret." Its use here, alongside "hid from the eyes of her husband," powerfully emphasizes the clandestine nature of the suspected act. This double emphasis on secrecy underscores the very problem the Law of Jealousy was designed to address: a sin committed in such a way that no human eye could witness it, making human judgment impossible without divine revelation.
* **no witness (Hebrew, _ʿēd'_):** The Hebrew word עֵד (_ʿēd_) refers to a "witness" or "testimony." The explicit statement "no witness against her" is crucial, as the Mosaic Law typically required the testimony of two or three witnesses to establish guilt in capital cases ([Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Requirement for Two or Three Witnesses")). The absence of such testimony is the primary legal trigger for the ordeal, highlighting the unique nature of this law as a recourse when standard judicial procedures are insufficient.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And a man lie with her carnally":** This phrase directly refers to the act of sexual intercourse outside of marriage, specifically adultery. It establishes the foundational premise of the suspicion—the wife has engaged in an illicit sexual relationship with another man.
* **"and it be hid from the eyes of her husband":** This clause emphasizes the secrecy of the alleged transgression. The act was not committed openly or in a way that the husband could directly observe or confirm, leading to his suspicion rather than certain knowledge.
* **"and be kept close":** This phrase reiterates and intensifies the element of concealment. It underscores that the act was intentionally hidden, not merely unobserved, further complicating any human attempt to ascertain the truth.
* **"and she be defiled":** This indicates the spiritual and moral consequence of the alleged act. If she did commit adultery, she is considered defiled or unclean, a state that has serious implications for her standing within the holy community and before God.
* **"and [there be] no witness against her":** This is a critical legal condition. It explicitly states the absence of human testimony required for a conventional legal conviction. Without witnesses, a human court cannot render a verdict of guilt.
* **"neither she be taken [with the manner]":** This final clause further clarifies the lack of direct evidence. To be "taken with the manner" means to be caught in the very act of transgression. The absence of such immediate apprehension necessitates the divine ordeal as the only means of uncovering the truth.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 5:13 employs several potent literary devices that amplify its meaning and underscore the gravity of the situation it addresses. **Repetition** is evident in the dual emphasis on concealment: "hid from the eyes of her husband" and "kept close." This reiteration highlights the core dilemma of the passage—the hidden nature of the suspected sin—and sets the stage for the divine intervention necessary to reveal what is otherwise invisible to human perception. The verse also utilizes precise **Legal Language**, outlining the specific conditions that must be met for the ordeal to be invoked ("no witness against her," "neither she be taken with the manner"). This precision underscores the Mosaic Law's meticulous attention to justice and due process, even when human means are exhausted. Furthermore, the entire scenario presents a powerful **Contrast** between human limitation and divine omniscience. Humans are unable to discern the truth due to the hidden nature of the act and the lack of witnesses, but God is presented as the ultimate judge who can penetrate all secrecy. This contrast implicitly **Foreshadows** the broader biblical theme that "nothing is hidden from God" and that ultimately, all hidden things will be brought to light.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 5:13, as the trigger for the Law of Jealousy, profoundly underscores several core theological truths. Firstly, it highlights God's absolute omniscience; no sin, no matter how carefully hidden from human eyes, remains concealed from Him. This truth serves as a powerful deterrent to secret wrongdoing and a comfort to those who feel wronged without recourse. Secondly, the passage affirms God's unwavering commitment to justice and truth, especially in matters of moral purity and the sanctity of covenants. Even when human legal systems are insufficient, God provides a mechanism to ensure that truth prevails and defilement is addressed. Finally, it emphasizes the profound seriousness with which God views marital fidelity, treating adultery not merely as a social breach but as a spiritual defilement that demands divine attention and resolution.

* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - God's Omniscience")
* [Proverbs 5:21](/proverbs/5-21 "Proverbs 5:21 - The Lord Observes All Paths")
* [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Hebrews 13:4 - Sanctity of Marriage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark reality presented in Numbers 5:13—that sin can be hidden from human eyes but never from God—carries profound implications for our lives today. It serves as a potent reminder of God's perfect knowledge and justice, urging us to live with unwavering integrity, not just in public but in the deepest recesses of our hearts and minds. This passage challenges the modern tendency to compartmentalize life, believing that private actions have no public or spiritual consequence. For believers, it calls for a radical transparency before God, acknowledging that true purity begins inwardly. It also reinforces the sanctity of marital vows, reminding us that fidelity is a sacred trust, honored not merely out of fear of discovery but out of reverence for God and respect for our spouse. When we recognize that God sees all, our motivation for righteousness shifts from external accountability to an internal desire to please Him, fostering a life of genuine holiness and trust in His ultimate justice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that "nothing is hidden from God" (as seen in Numbers 5:13) impact your daily choices and private thoughts?**
* **In what ways does this passage affirm the sanctity of marriage and fidelity within the Christian covenant?**
* **How might the principle of divine justice, revealed when human justice is insufficient, encourage us in situations where we feel wronged or truth is obscured?**

### FAQ
**Why was the "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" necessary if God is omniscient?**

Answer: The ordeal was necessary not because God needed a mechanism to discover the truth, but because human society did. In ancient Israel, legal verdicts typically required witnesses. When a husband suspected his wife of adultery but had no witnesses or direct proof, there was no human legal recourse to resolve the dispute. This ambiguity could lead to ongoing marital strife, false accusations, or unpunished sin, undermining the community's moral fabric. The ordeal provided a divinely sanctioned means for God Himself to act as the ultimate judge, revealing the truth—either vindicating the innocent or exposing the guilty—thereby bringing closure and upholding justice where human means failed. It was a concession to human limitation, demonstrating God's care for order and purity within His people.

**Is the Law of Jealousy, including the ordeal, still applicable to believers today?**

Answer: No, the specific ritual of the "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" is part of the Old Covenant's ceremonial and judicial law, which has been fulfilled and superseded by the New Covenant in Christ. Believers today are not bound by these specific ritualistic practices. However, the underlying principles remain timeless: God's omniscience, His commitment to truth and justice, the seriousness of sin (especially adultery), and the sanctity of marriage. While the method of resolving suspected infidelity has changed (e.g., through church discipline, legal processes, and personal repentance), the divine standards for purity and fidelity endure. The New Testament church operates under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the principles of grace and truth revealed in Christ, rather than judicial ordeals.

**What does "neither she be taken [with the manner]" mean in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "neither she be taken [with the manner]" means that the woman was not caught in the very act of committing adultery. It emphasizes the complete lack of direct, irrefutable evidence. If she had been "taken with the manner," i.e., apprehended during the act, then the standard legal penalties for adultery would have applied, and the ordeal would not have been necessary. This clause highlights that the Law of Jealousy was specifically for cases of *suspicion without proof*, where the alleged sin was entirely hidden from human observation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 5:13, with its focus on hidden sin and the divine revelation of truth, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Law of Jealousy, in its attempt to expose hidden defilement, points to Christ as the one who perfectly embodies and administers divine justice and truth. He is the light that exposes all darkness, revealing the secrets of hearts that are "kept close" from human eyes ([John 3:20-21](/john/3-20 "John 3:20-21 - Light Exposes Deeds")). Unlike the temporary ritual of bitter water, Christ offers a definitive and eternal solution to the problem of defilement through His atoning sacrifice. His blood cleanses from *all* sin, both hidden and manifest, providing true purity that the Law's rituals could only foreshadow ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience") and [1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). Moreover, Jesus upholds the sanctity of marriage not through an ordeal, but through His teaching on its divine institution and indissolubility ([Matthew 19:4-6](/matthew/19-4 "Matthew 19:4-6 - Jesus on Marriage and Divorce")), and He addresses the root of defilement by emphasizing the purity of the heart, where lust and adultery truly begin ([Matthew 5:28](/matthew/5-28 "Matthew 5:28 - Lust in the Heart")). In Christ, the need for an external, physical ordeal is superseded by an internal transformation and the perfect, omniscient judgment of God, who has committed all judgment to the Son ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Judges No One, But Has Given All Judgment to the Son")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.