Numbers 5:20

But if thou hast gone aside [to another] instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee beside thine husband:

But if thou hast gone aside {H7847} to another instead of thy husband {H376}, and if thou be defiled {H2930}, and some man {H376} have {H5414} lain {H7903} with thee beside {H1107} thine husband {H376}:

But if you have in fact gone astray while under your husband's authority and become unclean, because some man other than your husband has gone to bed with you . . ."

But if you have gone astray while under your husband’s authority and have defiled yourself and lain carnally with a man other than your husband’—

But if thou have gone aside, being under thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee besides thy husband:

Commentary

Numbers 5:20 KJV is part of the unique and controversial "Law of Jealousy" found in Numbers 5:11-31. This section of Mosaic Law outlines a ritual for a husband who suspects his wife of infidelity but lacks concrete evidence. The verse specifically addresses the scenario where the wife is indeed guilty of adultery, stating the conditions of her defilement.

Context of the Law of Jealousy

The "Law of Jealousy" was a divine provision in ancient Israelite society to address marital suspicion and potential injustice. In a culture where a woman's purity and fidelity were intricately linked to family honor and societal standing, an accusation of adultery, even without proof, could devastate a woman's life. This ordeal served as a spiritual mechanism to appeal directly to God for a verdict when human judgment was insufficient. The ritual involved the woman drinking "bitter water," which was mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor and ink from curses written on a scroll. If she was guilty, the water was believed to cause physical affliction; if innocent, she would be unharmed and able to conceive children.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Marital Fidelity: This verse underscores the supreme importance of marital faithfulness within the covenant relationship. Adultery ("gone aside... beside thine husband") was viewed as a profound breach of trust and a defilement not only of the individual but also of the sanctity of marriage.
  • Divine Justice: The ordeal itself highlights the belief that God is the ultimate arbiter of truth and justice. When human courts could not discern guilt or innocence, the matter was presented before the Lord, who knows all things. This demonstrates a reliance on God's omniscience and His ability to expose hidden sin.
  • Consequences of Sin: The verse implicitly points to the severe consequences of unconfessed sin. If the woman was "defiled" by illicit relations, the ritual would reveal her guilt, leading to social disgrace and barrenness, serving as a powerful deterrent against infidelity.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "gone aside" translates the Hebrew verb satah (סָטָה), which means "to turn aside," "deviate," or "go astray." It conveys a willful departure from the path of faithfulness or righteousness. The term "defiled" comes from the Hebrew tame (טָמֵא), meaning "unclean" or "polluted." In this context, it refers specifically to the moral and ritual impurity resulting from sexual sin, which rendered a person unfit for participation in the holy community until atonement or purification.

Practical Application

While the specific ritual of the bitter water is not practiced today, the underlying principles of Numbers 5:20 remain relevant. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that:

  • God values and upholds the sanctity of marriage and expects faithfulness within it.
  • Truth and honesty are paramount, and ultimately, all hidden actions are known to God.
  • There are consequences for sin, whether spiritual, emotional, or relational, even if they are not immediately apparent to human eyes.
  • It encourages believers to live with integrity, knowing that God sees and judges righteously.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 5:12

    Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man's wife go aside, and commit a trespass against him,
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