Numbers 5:18

KJV

And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which [is] the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the priest {H3548} shall set {H5975} the woman {H802} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, and uncover {H6544} the woman's {H802} head {H7218}, and put {H5414} the offering {H4503} of memorial {H2146} in her hands {H3709}, which is the jealousy {H7068} offering {H4503}: and the priest {H3548} shall have in his hand {H3027} the bitter {H4751} water {H4325} that causeth the curse {H779}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The cohen will place the woman before ADONAI, unbind the woman's hair and put the grain offering for remembering in her hands, the grain offering for jealousy; while the cohen has in his hand the water of embitterment and cursing.

Berean Standard Bible

After the priest has the woman stand before the LORD, he is to let down her hair and place in her hands the grain offering of memorial, which is the grain offering for jealousy. The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse.

American Standard Version

And the priest shall set the woman before Jehovah, and let the hair of the woman’s head go loose, and put the meal-offering of memorial in her hands, which is the meal-offering of jealousy: and the priest shall have in his hand the water of bitterness that causeth the curse.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 5:18 is a crucial verse within the "Law of Jealousy" (Numbers 5:11-31), outlining the specific actions a priest must take when a husband suspects his wife of infidelity without concrete proof. This verse details the solemn presentation of the accused woman before the LORD, the symbolic uncovering of her head, the placement of a specific grain offering in her hands, and the priest's preparation of the "bitter water that causeth the curse," all integral steps in a divine ordeal designed to reveal truth and uphold covenant purity in ancient Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 5:18 is situated within the broader legal and ceremonial instructions given to Israel immediately following the census and the organization of the camp around the Tabernacle. The preceding verses in [Numbers 5](/numbers/5 "Numbers 5 - Laws of Purity and Restitution") deal with the removal of the unclean from the camp and laws concerning restitution for wrongs committed against others. The "Law of Jealousy" (Numbers 5:11-31) then shifts focus to the purity of the marital covenant, a foundational element of Israelite society. Verse 18 specifically describes the initial, preparatory phase of the ritual, following the husband's bringing his wife to the priest (Numbers 5:15) and preceding the priest's administration of the oath and the drinking of the bitter water (Numbers 5:19-27). This placement underscores the transition from a human accusation to a divine judgment, emphasizing the gravity and sacredness of the proceedings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, a patriarchal society, the sanctity of marriage and the purity of lineage were paramount. Adultery was not merely a private offense but a grave sin against God and the community, carrying severe penalties (cf. [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery")). However, in cases of suspicion without witnesses or tangible evidence, human justice systems were limited. The "Law of Jealousy" provided a unique divine mechanism—an ordeal—to resolve such impasses. The ritual's public nature, conducted at the Tabernacle, highlighted the community's stake in marital fidelity and God's direct involvement in upholding justice. The uncovering of the woman's head likely symbolized her vulnerability, exposure, and the stripping away of any hiddenness before God, a stark contrast to the customary veiling of married women. This ritual served as both a deterrent to hidden sin and a safeguard against false accusations, providing a means for divine intervention where human proof was lacking, similar in function to other ancient Near Eastern divine ordeals but uniquely administered by the LORD.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Uncover (פָּרַע, _para'_):** This Hebrew verb means "to let loose," "to expose," or "to uncover." In this context, it signifies the removal of the woman's head covering, a deeply symbolic act. For a married woman in ancient Israel, a head covering was a sign of modesty, honor, and marital status. Its removal, therefore, indicated a state of public vulnerability, shame, or disgrace, placing her in a position of complete openness and submission to divine scrutiny. It stripped away any pretense or hiddenness, making her exposed before God and the community as one under suspicion.
* **Memorial (זִכָּרוֹן, _zikkaron'_):** This noun, often translated as "memorial" or "remembrance," refers to something that brings a matter to mind, especially before God. The "offering of memorial" (מִנְחַת זִכָּרוֹן, _minchat zikkaron'_), a grain offering, was not for atonement but served as a petition or a reminder to God of the specific case at hand. It was a tangible representation of the husband's jealousy and the woman's situation, bringing the matter to God's attention for divine judgment.
* **Bitter water (מַיִם הַמָּרִים, _mayim ha'marim'_):** Literally "waters of bitterness," this refers to the potent concoction prepared by the priest. This water was not inherently bitter in taste but was "bitter" in its potential effect, bringing a curse upon the guilty. It was believed to contain holy water, dust from the Tabernacle floor, and the dissolved ink of the written curses, making it a physical embodiment of divine judgment. Its purpose was to serve as a divinely empowered agent to reveal truth, bringing either a curse upon the guilty or vindication to the innocent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD":** This action emphasizes that the matter transcends human judgment, placing the accused woman directly in the presence of God. The Tabernacle, where the LORD's presence dwelt, was the ultimate court of appeal, signifying that the truth would be revealed by divine decree, not human investigation.
* **"and uncover the woman's head":** This symbolic act strips the woman of her customary covering, signifying her vulnerability and public exposure. It is an act of humiliation, intended to impress upon her the gravity of the situation and the necessity of truth before God. It highlights the stripping away of any hiddenness as she stands before the all-seeing LORD.
* **"and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which [is] the jealousy offering":** The grain offering, specifically barley meal, is placed in her hands, making her an active participant in the ritual. This "offering of memorial" is a tangible representation of the husband's intense jealousy and the solemnity of the accusation, serving as a reminder to God of the case requiring divine intervention.
* **"and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse":** This final clause describes the priest's preparation of the key element of the ordeal. The "bitter water," imbued with the power to bring a curse, is held by the priest as the instrument through which God's judgment will be executed. It underscores the priest's role as the mediator of divine justice and the direct link between the ritual action and its supernatural consequence.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 5:18 employs several powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is central, with the uncovering of the woman's head symbolizing vulnerability, exposure, and the stripping away of hiddenness before God. The "offering of memorial" symbolizes the husband's petition and the gravity of the accusation, while the "bitter water" symbolizes the potential for divine judgment and curse. The entire ritual, of which this verse describes a key part, functions as a **Ritual Drama**, a carefully choreographed sequence of actions designed to evoke a profound spiritual and emotional response, leading to a divine revelation. This ritual also serves as a **Divine Ordeal**, a legal mechanism where the outcome is determined by supernatural intervention rather than human evidence, highlighting God's role as the ultimate arbiter of truth and justice in situations beyond human discernment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 5:18, as part of the Law of Jealousy, profoundly underscores God's unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and the sanctity of covenant relationships within His community. It reveals a God who is not distant from the intimate details of human life, even domestic disputes, and who provides a means for justice when human evidence is insufficient. This ritual exemplifies divine omniscience, demonstrating that nothing is hidden from God's sight, and that hidden sin will ultimately be brought to light, whether for judgment or vindication. It also emphasizes the high value God places on marital fidelity and the purity of His people, illustrating how sin, even hidden, can defile the community and requires divine intervention to cleanse.

* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - God's All-Seeing Nature")
* [Proverbs 5:21](/proverbs/5-21 "Proverbs 5:21 - The Lord Sees Our Ways")
* [Malachi 2:14](/malachi/2-14 "Malachi 2:14-16 - God Hates Divorce and Faithlessness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of the jealousy offering belongs to the ceremonial law of the Old Covenant and is not practiced today, the timeless principles it embodies remain profoundly relevant for contemporary believers. This ancient law serves as a powerful reminder that God is a God of absolute truth and justice, before whom all things are exposed. It calls us to live lives of integrity, knowing that our hidden thoughts and actions are not hidden from Him. The emphasis on marital fidelity highlights the sacredness of covenant commitments, urging us to honor our vows and pursue purity in all relationships. Ultimately, it directs us to the reality that sin, whether public or private, carries consequences, and that true vindication and cleansing come from God alone. This prompts us to seek genuine repentance for our failings and to trust in God's perfect justice, even when circumstances seem unclear.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God seeing "all things," even hidden suspicions, impact your understanding of personal integrity and accountability?**
* **In what ways does the "Law of Jealousy" underscore the importance of covenant fidelity, not just in marriage, but in all our commitments before God?**
* **How might the idea of a "divine ordeal" encourage us to trust God's ultimate justice and truth, even when human systems fall short?**

### FAQ
**Why did God institute such a seemingly harsh or unusual ritual for suspected infidelity?**

Answer: God instituted the Law of Jealousy primarily for two reasons: to provide a divine mechanism for justice in cases where human evidence was lacking, and to safeguard the sanctity of marriage and the purity of the Israelite community. In a society without modern forensic tools, accusations of infidelity could lead to cycles of suspicion, false accusations, or unpunished sin. This ritual offered a means for divine intervention, placing the matter directly before the LORD, who alone knows the secrets of the heart. It served as a powerful deterrent against hidden sin and provided a pathway for the innocent to be publicly vindicated, preventing unjust condemnation. It was a unique provision for a specific cultural and legal context, demonstrating God's commitment to truth and order within His covenant people.

**Is the "bitter water" ritual practiced by believers today?**

Answer: No, the "bitter water" ritual, as part of the Law of Jealousy in [Numbers 5](/numbers/5 "Numbers 5 - The Law of Jealousy"), was a specific ceremonial law given to ancient Israel under the Old Covenant. It is not practiced by Christians today. The New Testament teaches that Christ fulfilled the Old Covenant laws, including its ceremonial aspects (cf. [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ's Superior Covenant")). Believers now live under the New Covenant, where the Holy Spirit indwells believers, bringing conviction of sin and guiding into truth (cf. [John 16:8](/john/16-8 "John 16:8 - The Holy Spirit Convicts of Sin")). While the underlying principles of God's justice and the sanctity of marriage remain, the specific ritual has been superseded by Christ's work.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Law of Jealousy, with its bitter water and divine ordeal, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate revelation of truth and the bearing of the curse found in Jesus Christ. The ritual highlights humanity's inability to fully discern truth or cleanse itself from hidden sin, necessitating divine intervention. The "bitter water that causeth the curse" points to the reality of sin's bitter consequences and the curse that humanity rightly deserves. However, Christ, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became the ultimate "curse" for us, bearing the full weight of God's wrath and judgment on the cross (cf. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). He experienced the ultimate bitterness of separation from God so that those who believe might be set free from the curse of sin. Furthermore, while the Old Covenant ritual offered temporary vindication or condemnation, Christ offers eternal justification and purification. He is the one who truly exposes the hidden things of the heart, not for condemnation for those in Him, but for cleansing and transformation (cf. [1 Corinthians 4:5](/1_corinthians/4-5 "1 Corinthians 4:5 - God Will Bring Hidden Things to Light")). In Christ, the innocent are truly vindicated by His righteousness, and the guilty find forgiveness and new life, no longer needing a ritualistic ordeal but a saving relationship with the One who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness and bore all judgment.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:26

And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart [is] snares and nets, [and] her hands [as] bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

Numbers 5:22

And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make [thy] belly to swell, and [thy] thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.

1 Corinthians 11:6

For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

Revelation 10:9

And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take [it], and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

Revelation 10:10

And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:13

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.