Numbers 5:14

KJV

And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the spirit {H7307} of jealousy {H7068} come {H5674} upon him, and he be jealous {H7065} of his wife {H802}, and she be defiled {H2930}: or if the spirit {H7307} of jealousy {H7068} come {H5674} upon him, and he be jealous {H7065} of his wife {H802}, and she be not defiled {H2930}:

Complete Jewish Bible

then, if a spirit of jealousy comes over him, and he is jealous of his wife, and she has become impure - or, for that matter, if the spirit of jealousy comes over him, and he is jealous of his wife, and she has not become impure -

Berean Standard Bible

and if a feeling of jealousy comes over her husband and he suspects his wife who has defiled herself—or if a feeling of jealousy comes over him and he suspects her even though she has not defiled herself—

American Standard Version

and the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 5:14 describes the emotional catalyst for the "Ordeal of the Bitter Water," a divinely prescribed ritual in ancient Israel designed to resolve cases of suspected marital infidelity where concrete evidence was lacking. It highlights the husband's intense "spirit of jealousy" as the trigger, whether his wife was actually defiled or not, underscoring the serious nature of unproven suspicion and the community's reliance on divine intervention to ascertain truth and maintain justice within the sanctity of marriage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 5:14 is situated within a broader legal section of the book of Numbers, specifically following laws concerning ritual purity and the handling of offerings. The "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" itself spans [Numbers 5:11-31](/numbers/5-11 "Numbers 5:11-31 - The Ordeal of the Bitter Water"). This particular verse marks the initiation of the process, detailing the internal state of the husband that necessitates the ritual. Preceding this passage are instructions regarding the removal of the unclean from the camp ([Numbers 5:1-4](/numbers/5-1 "Numbers 5:1-4 - Expulsion of the Unclean")) and laws concerning restitution for wrongs committed ([Numbers 5:5-10](/numbers/5-5 "Numbers 5:5-10 - Laws of Restitution")). The placement of the ordeal directly after these laws suggests a progression from general purity and justice to the highly sensitive and private matter of marital fidelity, emphasizing that even hidden sins within the most intimate relationships are subject to divine scrutiny and judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in many ancient Near Eastern societies, marital fidelity was paramount, forming the bedrock of family and tribal structures. Adultery was a grave offense, often punishable by death ([Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery"); [Deuteronomy 22:22](/deuteronomy/22-22 "Deuteronomy 22:22 - Punishment for Adultery")). However, proving such a private act without witnesses presented a significant challenge. The "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" provided a unique legal mechanism, a "divine lie detector," to address situations of unproven suspicion, protecting both the sanctity of marriage and the accused woman from baseless slander. It functioned as a safeguard against vigilante justice or arbitrary accusations, placing the ultimate judgment in God's hands. This ritual demonstrates God's profound concern for justice and truth, even in the most ambiguous and emotionally charged domestic disputes, reflecting a society where divine law permeated all aspects of life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Spirit (Hebrew, _ruach'_):** In this context, _ruach_ refers not to a demonic entity, but to an intense internal disposition, a powerful emotional impulse or inclination that "comes upon" a person. It signifies a profound, overwhelming feeling of suspicion and jealousy that grips the husband, compelling him to seek divine intervention. This usage aligns with other biblical instances where _ruach_ describes a strong human emotion or attitude, such as a "spirit of slumber" ([Isaiah 29:10](/isaiah/29-10 "Isaiah 29:10 - Spirit of Slumber")) or a "spirit of deep sleep" ([Romans 11:8](/romans/11-8 "Romans 11:8 - Spirit of Deep Sleep")).
* **Jealousy (Hebrew, _qin'ah'_):** This term is central to the verse. _Qin'ah_ carries a dual semantic range in Scripture. It can denote righteous zeal or fervent passion, as seen in God's holy jealousy for His covenant people ([Exodus 34:14](/exodus/34-14 "Exodus 34:14 - God's Jealousy"); [Numbers 25:11](/numbers/25-11 "Numbers 25:11 - Phinehas' Jealousy")). However, in Numbers 5:14, it unequivocally refers to a negative, destructive, and often unfounded suspicion or envy regarding another's fidelity or possession. It describes a possessive and troubled emotional state that drives the husband to public accusation, even without concrete proof.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the spirit of jealousy come upon him,"**: This phrase establishes the internal, emotional trigger for the entire ordeal. It signifies an overwhelming and compelling sense of suspicion that grips the husband, an unshakeable conviction that his wife may have been unfaithful, even in the absence of tangible evidence.
* **"and he be jealous of his wife,"**: This clause reiterates and clarifies the nature of the "spirit" mentioned previously. It emphasizes the direct object of his suspicion: his own wife. The repetition underscores the intensity and focus of his emotional state, highlighting the personal and relational nature of the conflict.
* **"and she be defiled:"**: This presents the first scenario: the husband's jealousy is warranted because his wife has indeed committed adultery. This possibility is explicitly stated, acknowledging that the suspicion may be accurate, and thus the ritual serves to confirm actual guilt.
* **"or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife,"**: This introduces the second, contrasting scenario, repeating the initial trigger for emphasis. The repetition highlights that the same internal emotional state can exist regardless of the wife's actual guilt or innocence, making the divine test necessary.
* **"and she be not defiled:"**: This presents the crucial alternative: the husband's intense jealousy is unfounded, and his wife is innocent. This scenario is equally important, as the ritual is designed not only to expose guilt but also to vindicate the innocent, protecting them from false accusations and public shame.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 5:14 employs several key literary devices that underscore its legal and theological significance. The most prominent is **Repetition**, particularly the phrase "the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife." This reiteration serves to emphasize the driving force behind the ordeal, highlighting that the husband's internal state, rather than external evidence, is the initiating factor. This repetition also sets up a **Parallelism** or **Antithesis**, contrasting the two possible outcomes: "she be defiled" versus "she be not defiled." This structural choice clearly presents the two mutually exclusive possibilities that the ordeal is designed to resolve. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Conditional Statement** within a larger legal framework, outlining the specific circumstances ("if the spirit of jealousy come upon him...") that necessitate the prescribed divine judgment. The precise and formulaic language reflects the legalistic nature of the passage, typical of Mosaic law, ensuring clarity and strict adherence to the divine protocol.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 5:14, as part of the Ordeal of the Bitter Water, powerfully illustrates God's profound concern for truth, justice, and the sanctity of the marital covenant within the community of Israel. It reveals a God who is not distant from the intimate and often hidden struggles of His people, but actively intervenes to expose hidden sin and vindicate the innocent. This passage underscores the destructive nature of unaddressed suspicion and the need for divine arbitration when human evidence is insufficient, demonstrating that no sin, whether open or concealed, escapes God's notice. It ultimately points to the divine attribute of omniscience, a God who "sees all things" and whose judgment is perfectly just.

* [Exodus 34:14](/exodus/34-14 "Exodus 34:14 - God's Jealousy for His People")
* [Luke 12:2](/luke/12-2 "Luke 12:2 - Nothing Hidden That Will Not Be Revealed")
* [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Hebrews 13:4 - Honor Marriage and Avoid Adultery")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of the bitter water is no longer practiced, Numbers 5:14 offers timeless principles for contemporary life. It serves as a stark reminder of the profound value God places on marital fidelity and the devastating impact of infidelity and unresolved suspicion on relationships. In a world where trust is often fragile and accusations can run rampant, this passage calls us to a higher standard of truthfulness and integrity, both in our actions and in our hearts. It challenges us to confront the destructive power of jealousy and suspicion, urging us to seek resolution through honest communication, wise counsel, and ultimately, by entrusting our deepest relational challenges to God, who alone knows the full truth of every situation. It also implicitly warns against hasty judgment based solely on suspicion, emphasizing the importance of seeking clarity and truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "spirit of jealousy" described in this verse relate to or differ from jealousy we experience today?**
* **What does God's provision of such a ritual reveal about His character and His concern for justice in human relationships?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, apply the underlying principles of seeking truth and justice in our relationships, even without a specific ritual?**

### FAQ
**Was the "spirit of jealousy" in Numbers 5:14 a demonic influence?**

Answer: No, the "spirit of jealousy" (`ruach qin'ah` in Hebrew) in Numbers 5:14 does not refer to a demonic influence or an evil spirit. Instead, it describes an intense, overwhelming human emotion or disposition—a profound and compelling sense of suspicion and possessiveness that grips the husband. The Hebrew word `ruach` can refer to a spiritual entity, but it also commonly denotes a "wind," "breath," or an internal "spirit" or "disposition" of a person, such as a "spirit of anger" or a "spirit of humility." In this context, it signifies an internal conviction or emotional state so strong that it compels the husband to bring his wife before the priest for a divine investigation, even in the absence of concrete evidence. This interpretation is consistent with other biblical uses of `ruach` to describe human emotional states, such as a "spirit of deep sleep" ([Isaiah 29:10](/isaiah/29-10 "Isaiah 29:10 - Spirit of Deep Sleep")) or a "spirit of harlotry" ([Hosea 4:12](/hosea/4-12 "Hosea 4:12 - Spirit of Harlotry")). The ritual itself was designed to ascertain truth divinely, not to cast out a demon.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Ordeal of the Bitter Water, initiated by the "spirit of jealousy" in Numbers 5:14, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound theological resonance in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This ancient ritual, designed to expose hidden sin and vindicate the innocent through divine intervention, foreshadows Christ as the perfect Judge who discerns the secrets of the heart ([Hebrews 4:12-13](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12-13 - God's Word Discerning Thoughts")). While the old covenant ritual relied on a physical test and a priest, Jesus Himself is the ultimate High Priest ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus Our High Priest")) who perfectly reveals truth and brings justice. Furthermore, the ordeal's concern for purity and the consequences of defilement point to Christ's work in providing true purification from sin. Unlike the bitter waters that brought a curse upon the guilty, Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became the curse for us on the cross ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")), taking away the defilement of sin and offering genuine righteousness to those who believe ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). In Christ, the need for a ritualistic test for hidden sin is superseded by His perfect knowledge and His atoning sacrifice, which cleanses us from all unrighteousness ([1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")), offering not a curse for the guilty, but grace and new life.

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.