Numbers 5:16

KJV

And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the LORD:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the priest {H3548} shall bring her near {H7126}, and set {H5975} her before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The cohen will bring her forward and place her before ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

The priest is to bring the wife forward and have her stand before the LORD.

American Standard Version

And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before Jehovah:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 5:16 is a pivotal verse within the "Law of Jealousy" (Numbers 5:11-31), an extraordinary Mosaic statute designed to address suspected marital infidelity in ancient Israel when direct proof was absent. This verse describes the initial, solemn act of the ritual: the accused woman is brought by the priest into the sacred space of the Tabernacle, symbolizing her direct presentation before the divine presence for judgment, underscoring the gravity of the accusation and the ultimate appeal to God's omniscience for truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 5:16 is situated within a distinct legal section (Numbers 5:1-6:27) that immediately follows the organization of the camp and the Levites' duties around the Tabernacle in Numbers 1-4. This particular law, the "Law of Jealousy" (Numbers 5:11-31), is unique in its detailed ritualistic procedure for discerning truth in a private, domestic matter—suspected adultery. It follows laws concerning the removal of the unclean from the camp (Numbers 5:1-4) and restitution for wrongs committed (Numbers 5:5-10), demonstrating a progression from communal purity to individual justice and the sanctity of covenants. The subsequent verses (Numbers 5:17-31) meticulously detail the steps of the ritual, including the bitter water, the oath, and the divine consequence, making verse 16 the critical preparatory step that initiates the entire process.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, marital fidelity was foundational to the social and theological fabric, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Adultery was a grave offense, punishable by death if proven (e.g., [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery")). However, in cases of mere suspicion without witnesses or concrete evidence, human justice was insufficient. The "Law of Jealousy" provided a divinely ordained mechanism, a "trial by ordeal," to resolve such impasses. This ritual was not a human investigation but an appeal to God's direct intervention, acknowledging His role as the ultimate judge of hidden things. It provided a structured, public, and sacred means to either clear the innocent or expose the guilty, protecting both the accused from false accusations and the sanctity of marriage from unpunished sin. The emphasis on bringing the woman "before the LORD" highlights the theocratic nature of Israelite law, where all aspects of life, even private ones, were ultimately subject to divine scrutiny and judgment, as seen in other legal provisions like those in [Deuteronomy 19:15-21](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15-21 - Law of Witnesses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bring her near (Hebrew, _qarab'_):** This verb, קרב (qarab), signifies "to draw near," "to approach," or "to present." It is frequently used in cultic contexts for bringing sacrifices or individuals into the presence of God or before the altar (e.g., [Exodus 29:8](/exodus/29-8 "Exodus 29:8 - Priestly Consecration")). Its use here emphasizes the formal, solemn, and sacred nature of the act. It's not merely leading her but formally presenting her in a ritualistic manner, underscoring that this is a sacred legal procedure, not a casual inquiry.
* **Set her before the LORD (Hebrew, _lifnei Yahweh'_):** The phrase לפני יהוה (lifnei Yahweh) literally means "before the face of Yahweh." This powerful idiom indicates a direct encounter with the divine presence. In the Tabernacle, this would imply placing her at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, or perhaps even within the Holy Place, where God's presence was uniquely manifested. This phrase elevates the entire proceeding from a human dispute to a divine judgment, asserting that God Himself is the ultimate arbiter, seeing all things, even those hidden from human eyes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the priest shall bring her near":** This clause establishes the central role of the priest as the intermediary in this sacred legal process. The priest is not merely an observer but the active agent who facilitates the woman's presentation to God. This action signifies the formal initiation of the divine ordeal, moving the matter from the domestic sphere into the sacred realm of divine justice. The priest's involvement underscores the religious, rather than purely civil, nature of the accusation and its resolution.
* **"and set her before the LORD":** This concluding phrase specifies the ultimate destination and purpose of the priest's action. The woman is positioned directly in the presence of God (Yahweh), indicating that the entire ritual is an appeal for divine revelation and judgment. This act is crucial; it means the truth of her innocence or guilt will be determined by God's direct intervention, rather than by human testimony or investigation. It highlights God's omniscience and His commitment to justice and truth within the covenant community.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 5:16, though brief, employs several significant literary devices. **Ritual** is paramount, as the verse describes the precise commencement of a highly structured ceremonial process designed to resolve a specific legal and moral dilemma. This ritual highlights the Israelite understanding that certain truths, especially those concerning hidden sin, required divine intervention. The phrase "before the LORD" is a powerful instance of **Theophany** or divine presence, emphasizing that the proceedings are not merely human but conducted under the direct, watchful eye of God Himself. This imbues the scene with profound solemnity and gravity. Furthermore, the entire Law of Jealousy, initiated by this verse, functions as a **Symbolism** of God's absolute commitment to justice, purity, and the sanctity of covenant relationships, particularly marriage. It underscores that even in the absence of human proof, divine truth will ultimately prevail.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 5:16, as the gateway to the Law of Jealousy, profoundly underscores God's unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and the sanctity of covenant relationships, especially marriage. It reveals a God who is not distant but intimately involved in the moral fabric of His people, even in the most private and hidden aspects of their lives. The ritual's reliance on divine intervention when human evidence is lacking speaks to God's omniscience and His role as the ultimate arbiter of all things. It also highlights the high value placed on purity within the community and the serious consequences of covenant infidelity, both human and divine. This passage, therefore, serves as a powerful reminder that God sees all, knows all, and will ultimately bring all hidden things to light.

* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalms/139-1 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Open Before God")
* [Proverbs 5:21](/proverbs/5-21 "Proverbs 5:21 - God Sees All Paths")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of the Law of Jealousy is no longer practiced under the New Covenant, the enduring principles embedded in Numbers 5:16 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse calls us to a deep awareness of God's omnipresence and omniscience, reminding us that every aspect of our lives, even our most private thoughts and actions, are lived "before the LORD." It challenges us to cultivate integrity not merely for human approval, but because we are always in the divine presence. Furthermore, it speaks to the enduring value God places on covenant faithfulness, particularly within marriage. It compels us to uphold our commitments with diligence and purity, trusting that God is ultimately the one who discerns truth and brings justice. In a world often marked by deception and hidden sin, this passage offers comfort that God sees and will ultimately vindicate the righteous and expose the wicked, encouraging us to live transparently and trust in His perfect judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of being "before the LORD" impact your understanding of personal accountability and integrity in your daily life?**
* **In what ways does this passage affirm God's character as a God of truth and justice, especially concerning hidden matters?**
* **How can the emphasis on the sanctity of marriage in this ancient law inform our modern understanding and commitment to marital faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Why was such a seemingly unusual and harsh ritual necessary in ancient Israel?**

Answer: The "Law of Jealousy" was necessary because it addressed a critical societal and theological problem: unproven suspicion of adultery. In a culture without modern forensic methods, and where marital fidelity was paramount to the social order and the covenant relationship with God, a husband's unproven suspicion could destroy a family and a woman's reputation without a clear resolution. This ritual provided a divinely ordained "trial by ordeal" that bypassed human testimony when it was insufficient. It placed the matter directly before God, trusting in His omniscience to reveal the truth, either vindicating the innocent or exposing the guilty. It served to uphold the sanctity of marriage, deter secret sin, and provide a legal recourse that relied on divine, rather than solely human, judgment, ensuring that justice, even if hidden, would ultimately prevail, as seen in God's broader commitment to justice throughout the Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 17:6](/deuteronomy/17-6 "Deuteronomy 17:6 - Requirement for Witnesses")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 5:16, with its solemn presentation of the accused woman "before the LORD" for divine judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a ritual of suspicion, but in the perfect and final judgment enacted by Jesus Christ. While the Law of Jealousy sought to expose hidden sin and uphold covenant fidelity through an earthly priest and a symbolic ordeal, Jesus is the true and ultimate High Priest who perfectly discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart (e.g., [Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus Our High Priest")). He is the one before whom all humanity will ultimately stand, not merely suspected of sin, but as those whose every deed and word will be brought to light (e.g., [Romans 14:10-12](/romans/14-10 "Romans 14:10-12 - We Shall All Stand Before Christ")). The ritual in Numbers pointed to a need for divine intervention in human affairs, a need fully met in Christ, who not only exposes sin but also offers perfect redemption and forgiveness. He is the one who bears the judgment for our unfaithfulness, becoming the "curse" on our behalf (e.g., [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")), so that those who are in Him are declared righteous "before the LORD" not by ordeal, but by grace through faith (e.g., [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Thus, the shadow of judgment in Numbers 5:16 gives way to the radiant light of Christ's saving work, where true purity and vindication are found.

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

Revelation 2:22

Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Revelation 2:23

And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Leviticus 1:3

¶ If his offering [be] a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:10

I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

Hebrews 13:4

Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.