Numbers 5:15

KJV

Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth [part] of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it [is] an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then shall the man {H376} bring {H935} his wife {H802} unto the priest {H3548}, and he shall bring {H935} her offering {H7133} for her, the tenth {H6224} part of an ephah {H374} of barley {H8184} meal {H7058}; he shall pour {H3332} no oil {H8081} upon it, nor put {H5414} frankincense {H3828} thereon; for it is an offering {H4503} of jealousy {H7068}, an offering {H4503} of memorial {H2146}, bringing {H2142} iniquity {H5771} to remembrance {H2142}.

Complete Jewish Bible

he is to bring his wife to the cohen, along with the offering for her, two quarts of barley flour on which he has not poured olive oil or put frankincense, because it is a grain offering for jealousy, a grain offering for remembering, for recalling guilt to mind.

Berean Standard Bible

then he is to bring his wife to the priest. He must also bring for her an offering of a tenth of an ephah of barley flour. He is not to pour oil over it or put frankincense on it, because it is a grain offering for jealousy, an offering of memorial as a reminder of iniquity.

American Standard Version

then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and shall bring her oblation for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is a meal-offering of jealousy, a meal-offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 5:15 initiates the solemn "Law of Jealousy," a unique divine protocol in ancient Israel designed to address a husband's unproven suspicion of his wife's infidelity. This verse details the initial step: the husband bringing his wife to the priest with a specific, unadorned offering of a tenth of an ephah of barley meal, notably lacking oil and frankincense. This distinct offering is explicitly designated as an "offering of jealousy" and a "memorial offering," serving to bring any hidden iniquity to divine remembrance for judgment or vindication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 5:15 is the foundational verse for the "Law of Jealousy," a detailed ceremonial procedure spanning [Numbers 5:11-31](/numbers/5-11 "Numbers 5:11-31 - The Law of Jealousy"). This law immediately follows sections dealing with the removal of defilement from the camp (leprosy, discharges) and restitution for wrongs committed. This placement underscores the overarching theme of purity and holiness within the Israelite community, particularly concerning the sanctity of marriage and the integrity of the covenant people. The law provides a divinely ordained mechanism to resolve a deeply personal and potentially disruptive issue—unproven marital infidelity—ensuring that justice is administered by God rather than through human vengeance or baseless accusation. It functions as a legal appeal to divine omniscience where human evidence is insufficient.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in many ancient Near Eastern societies, marital fidelity was paramount, especially for the wife, as it directly impacted lineage, inheritance, and the honor of the husband and family. Adultery was a grave offense, punishable by death if proven ([Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery")). However, situations arose where a husband harbored strong suspicions without concrete evidence, leading to domestic turmoil and potential injustice. The "Law of Jealousy" provided a structured, ritualistic alternative to personal retribution or mere accusation, appealing directly to God's perfect knowledge. Unlike some pagan "trial by ordeal" practices that might rely on arbitrary outcomes, this Israelite ritual was rooted in the covenant relationship with YHWH, inviting His direct intervention to reveal hidden truth or confirm innocence, thereby upholding the moral and social order of the community.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jealousy (Hebrew, _qena'ot'_):** This term (קְנָאוֹת) denotes intense emotion, zeal, or fervent indignation. In this context, it refers to the husband's strong, often painful, suspicion of his wife's infidelity. However, the root can also describe God's righteous zeal for His covenant people and their purity, suggesting that the ritual appeals to God's own "jealousy" for justice and the sanctity of the marital covenant He ordained.
* **Memorial (Hebrew, _zikkaron'_):** The word (זִכָּרוֹן) signifies something that brings to remembrance or calls to mind. In the context of an offering, it means the offering serves to bring a specific matter to God's active attention and consideration. It's not that God forgets, but that this offering functions as a petition for Him to intervene and manifest His knowledge concerning the hidden truth of the situation.
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _'awon'_):** This term (עָוֹן) refers to moral guilt, perversity, or the punishment for sin. When the offering is described as "bringing iniquity to remembrance," it implies that if the wife is guilty, her hidden sin and its corresponding guilt will be exposed and brought to light by divine action. Conversely, if she is innocent, the ritual serves to clear her name and demonstrate the absence of such iniquity, thereby bringing the husband's suspicion (which could be considered a form of "iniquity" if unfounded) to remembrance for vindication.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest":** This clause establishes the formal, legal, and sacred setting for the ritual. The husband, as the aggrieved party, initiates the process, but it is immediately placed under the authority and mediation of the priest, who represents God's presence and law. This prevents private vengeance and ensures a structured, divinely sanctioned inquiry.
* **"and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth [part] of an ephah of barley meal;":** The offering is brought *for* the wife, indicating its connection to her suspected actions. Barley meal was the coarsest and cheapest of grains, often used for animal feed or the poor. This humble, unrefined nature of the offering stands in stark contrast to the finer flour used in other grain offerings ([Leviticus 2:1](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1 - Grain Offering Regulations")). Its simplicity underscores the somber, unadorned, and non-celebratory nature of the situation—it is not an offering of joy or fellowship, but one of accusation and an appeal for judgment.
* **"he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon;":** This is a crucial omission. Oil and frankincense were standard components of most grain offerings, symbolizing joy, blessing, and a pleasing aroma to God ([Leviticus 2:1-2](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1-2 - Grain Offering Regulations")). Their deliberate absence here powerfully communicates the gravity and distress of the situation. It signifies that this is not an offering of thanksgiving, appeasement, or celebration, but one fraught with suspicion, potential guilt, and the solemn anticipation of divine judgment.
* **"for it [is] an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.":** This final clause explicitly states the multifaceted purpose of the offering. It is driven by the husband's "jealousy" (suspicion), functions as a "memorial" to bring the matter before God's attention, and specifically aims at "bringing iniquity to remembrance"—either revealing the wife's hidden sin if she is guilty, or vindicating her by demonstrating the absence of sin, thereby remembering the husband's unfounded suspicion.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 5:15 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is central, particularly in the description of the offering. The **barley meal** symbolizes humility, unadorned truth, and the starkness of the situation, contrasting sharply with the richer offerings associated with joy and prosperity. The **absence of oil and frankincense** is a powerful negative symbol, underscoring the lack of joy, blessing, or divine favor in a situation marred by suspicion and potential sin. This **contrast** with typical grain offerings ([Leviticus 2:1-2](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1-2 - Grain Offering Regulations")) highlights the unique, somber nature of the "offering of jealousy." Furthermore, the **repetition** of "offering of jealousy" and "offering of memorial" emphasizes the dual nature and purpose of this unique sacrifice, firmly rooting it in the emotional state of the accuser and its function as an appeal to divine memory and judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 5:15, though part of an ancient ritual, profoundly reveals God's character and His concern for justice, truth, and the sanctity of covenant relationships. It demonstrates God's omniscience, His ability to discern hidden motives and actions where human knowledge fails, and His commitment to upholding moral order within His community. The law underscores the seriousness with which God views marital fidelity and the destructive power of unaddressed sin, whether hidden or merely suspected. It teaches that God provides a pathway for truth to be revealed, ensuring that the innocent are vindicated and the guilty are exposed, ultimately appealing to His perfect judgment rather than human fallibility or vengeance. This principle extends beyond marital fidelity to all areas where truth and justice are obscured.

* [Proverbs 5:21](/proverbs/5-21 "Proverbs 5:21 - God Sees All Ways")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Naked Before God")
* [Malachi 2:14-16](/malachi/2-14 "Malachi 2:14-16 - God Hates Divorce and Upholds Marriage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of the "Law of Jealousy" is part of the Old Covenant ceremonial law and is no longer practiced in the New Covenant era, Numbers 5:15 offers timeless principles for reflection and application. It reminds us of God's unwavering commitment to truth and justice, even in the most private and complex human dilemmas. It challenges us to consider how we handle suspicion and unresolved conflict in our own relationships. Instead of allowing bitterness or unproven accusations to fester, we are called to seek divine wisdom and intervention, trusting that God sees all and will ultimately bring truth to light. This passage encourages us to cultivate integrity in our own lives, knowing that nothing is hidden from God, and to extend grace and seek reconciliation where possible, appealing to the Lord who knows the secrets of all hearts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's concern for truth and justice in this ancient law inform our understanding of His character today?**
* **In what areas of our lives might we be tempted to harbor unproven suspicions, and how can we instead seek divine wisdom and clarity?**
* **What does the sanctity of marriage, as highlighted by this law, teach us about our own covenant relationships with God and others?**

### FAQ
**Why was barley meal used instead of other grains, and why no oil or frankincense?**

Answer: Barley meal was the coarsest and most humble of grains, often associated with simplicity or even the poor. Its use in this offering, in contrast to the finer flour used in other grain offerings (e.g., [Leviticus 2:1](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1 - Grain Offering Regulations")), symbolized the unadorned, unjoyful, and solemn nature of the situation. The explicit prohibition against adding oil and frankincense is even more significant. These ingredients typically symbolized joy, blessing, and a pleasing aroma to God in other offerings ([Leviticus 2:2](/leviticus/2-2 "Leviticus 2:2 - Oil and Frankincense in Grain Offerings")). Their absence here underscores the lack of celebration, appeasement, or divine favor in a context of suspicion and potential sin. It highlights the offering's purpose as a stark appeal for judgment, not a joyful act of worship.

**Was this ritual a "trial by ordeal," and how does it compare to other ancient Near Eastern practices?**

Answer: Yes, the "Law of Jealousy" functioned as a type of divine ordeal. It was a formal, ritualized procedure designed to ascertain guilt or innocence when human evidence was lacking, appealing directly to a supernatural power for revelation. While similar "river ordeals" or other trials by ordeal existed in ancient Near Eastern cultures (e.g., in the Code of Hammurabi), the Israelite ritual was unique in its specific theological framework. It involved the priest as mediator, the direct invocation of YHWH's name, and the explicit focus on "bringing iniquity to remembrance" through divine omniscience, rather than relying solely on arbitrary physical reactions. The outcome was seen as a direct manifestation of God's righteous judgment, emphasizing moral purity within the covenant community rather than mere legalistic determination. The emphasis was on God's perfect knowledge to reveal hidden truth, as seen in passages like [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Naked Before God").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Law of Jealousy, initiated in [Numbers 5:15](/numbers/5-15 "Numbers 5:15 - The Offering of Jealousy"), vividly illustrates humanity's inability to fully discern hidden sin and the profound need for divine intervention to bring truth to light. This ritual, with its humble offering and stark absence of joy, foreshadows the ultimate solution to the problem of sin and suspicion found in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant ritual could only "bring iniquity to remembrance," pointing to the need for God's judgment, Jesus, as the perfect Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), definitively takes away the sin of the world. He is the ultimate High Priest ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")) who not only exposes sin (as He did with the woman caught in adultery, [John 8:7](/john/8-7 "John 8:7 - Let Him Who Is Without Sin Cast the First Stone")) but also provides the perfect atonement for it. Through His sacrifice, the "iniquity" that needed to be remembered for judgment is now remembered no more against those who believe ([Hebrews 8:12](/hebrews/8-12 "Hebrews 8:12 - God Will Remember Their Sins No More")). In Christ, the need for a ritual of suspicion is transcended by the reality of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the indwelling Holy Spirit who guides believers into all truth ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")), establishing a new covenant founded on grace and perfect knowledge.

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.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 29:16

And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth [their] iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.

Leviticus 5:11

But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put [any] frankincense thereon: for it [is] a sin offering.

1 Kings 17:18

And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?

Leviticus 2:1

¶ And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be [of] fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon:

Hosea 3:2

So I bought her to me for fifteen [pieces] of silver, and [for] an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:

Hebrews 10:3

But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year.