Numbers 5:21

KJV

Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell;

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the priest {H3548} shall charge {H7650} the woman {H802} with an oath {H7621} of cursing {H423}, and the priest {H3548} shall say {H559} unto the woman {H802}, The LORD {H3068} make {H5414} thee a curse {H423} and an oath {H7621} among {H8432} thy people {H5971}, when the LORD {H3068} doth make {H5414} thy thigh {H3409} to rot {H5307}, and thy belly {H990} to swell {H6639};

Complete Jewish Bible

then the cohen is to make the woman swear with an oath that includes a curse; the cohen will say to the woman, ". . .may ADONAI make you an object of cursing and condemnation among your people by making your private parts shrivel and your abdomen swell up!

Berean Standard Bible

and the priest shall have the woman swear under the oath of the curse—‘then may the LORD make you an attested curse among your people by making your thigh shrivel and your belly swell.

American Standard Version

then the priest shall cause the woman to swear with the oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, Jehovah make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when Jehovah doth make thy thigh to fall away, and thy body to swell;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 5:21 is a critical verse within the "Ordeal of the Bitter Water," or the "Law of Jealousy" (Numbers 5:11-31), a divinely instituted ritual in ancient Israel designed to ascertain the truth of a husband's suspicion of marital infidelity when no witnesses were present. This verse describes the solemn oath administered by the priest, where the accused woman willingly invokes a self-maledictory curse upon herself, agreeing to suffer severe physical consequences—a rotting thigh and a swelling belly—if she is found guilty by divine intervention. It powerfully underscores God's commitment to justice, the sanctity of marriage, and the tangible consequences of hidden sin within the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 5:21 is situated within a distinct legal and ritualistic section of the book of Numbers, specifically following laws concerning the purity of the camp (Numbers 5:1-4) and restitution for wrongs (Numbers 5:5-10). The "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" (Numbers 5:11-31) immediately precedes the laws concerning the Nazirite vow (Numbers 6:1-21), highlighting a thematic progression from maintaining communal purity and addressing hidden sin to dedicating oneself wholly to God. This particular ritual, given directly by the LORD to Moses, stands out due to its unique appeal to divine intervention in a matter otherwise unprovable by human means. It serves as a stark reminder of God's active presence and judicial oversight within the Israelite community, even in the most private and sensitive affairs of marriage.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, marital fidelity was paramount, not only for the integrity of the family unit but also for the purity of the lineage and the stability of the community. Adultery was a grave offense, often punishable by death (cf. [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery") and [Deuteronomy 22:22](/deuteronomy/22-22 "Deuteronomy 22:22 - Death for Adultery")). However, without witnesses, a husband's suspicion could lead to domestic strife, false accusations, or unpunished sin. The "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" provided a divine mechanism to resolve such impasses, preventing both vigilantism and the breakdown of trust. It was a judicial process, administered by the priest, that placed the matter directly before God, appealing to His omniscience to reveal the truth. The public nature of the ritual, involving the woman's public oath and the potential for public shame or vindication, reinforced societal values and the seriousness with which the covenant community viewed marital purity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Oath of cursing (Hebrew, _'alah'_):** This term refers to a self-maledictory oath, where the person taking the oath invokes divine judgment upon themselves if they speak falsely or are guilty of the alleged offense. It signifies a solemn agreement to accept the specified consequences should the truth be revealed against them. In this context, the woman willingly binds herself to God's judgment, making herself a public example of either innocence or guilt.
* **Thigh to rot (Hebrew, _yarekh nopelet'_):** While interpretations vary, "thigh" (יָרֵךְ, _yarekh_) often refers to the reproductive organs or the loins, symbolizing procreative power and lineage. "To rot" (נוֹפֶלֶת, _nopelet_), from the root נָפַל (_naphal_), means to fall, drop, or waste away. This phrase is widely understood to signify a severe, supernatural affliction of the reproductive system, potentially leading to infertility, miscarriage, or a wasting disease of the genital area, directly impacting the very source of lineage and family continuity.
* **Belly to swell (Hebrew, _beten tzavah'_):** "Belly" (בֶּטֶן, _beten_) refers to the abdomen, and "to swell" (צָבָה, _tzavah_) implies distension or bloating. This symptom is often interpreted as a severe abdominal affliction, possibly internal fluid retention, a painful distension, or a miscarriage, which would be a public sign of divine judgment and a direct consequence related to the suspected sin of illicit pregnancy. Both the "rotting thigh" and "swelling belly" are presented as supernatural, not natural, occurrences, serving as undeniable proof of God's verdict.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing":** This highlights the priest's crucial role as the mediator of divine justice. He is not merely an administrator but the one who formally presents the divine challenge to the accused, compelling her to enter into a solemn, self-imprecatory oath before God. This "charging" is a formal legal procedure, underscoring the gravity of the moment and the woman's active participation in her own judgment.
* **"and the priest shall say unto the woman":** This introduces the direct pronouncement of the curse, emphasizing the verbal and public nature of the ritual. The priest articulates the specific terms of the oath, ensuring the woman fully understands the dire consequences she is inviting upon herself if she is guilty. This is not a private matter but a public declaration witnessed by God and the community.
* **"The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people":** This clause reveals the public dimension of the judgment. If found guilty, the woman would not only suffer physical affliction but would also become a proverbial "curse" and "oath"—a public example and a byword for unfaithfulness and divine judgment. Her fate would serve as a warning and a confirmation of God's justice within the community, reinforcing the sanctity of marital vows.
* **"when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell;":** This specifies the physical manifestations of divine judgment. These supernatural afflictions—a "rotting thigh" and "swelling belly"—are the direct, observable consequences of God's intervention, serving as irrefutable proof of guilt. They are not natural diseases but miraculous signs, designed to confirm the truth in a situation where human evidence is lacking, directly impacting the areas associated with the suspected sin.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 5:21 employs several potent literary devices that amplify its theological and practical impact. **Divine Imprecation** is central, as the priest invokes God's direct judgment upon the woman, articulating the specific physical consequences. This is not a human curse but a divinely ordained one, emphasizing God's active involvement in revealing hidden truth. The entire "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" functions as a **Ritual Drama**, a carefully orchestrated public performance with symbolic actions (drinking the bitter water, the loosening of hair, the offering) that build suspense and culminate in the divine verdict. The physical symptoms—the "rotting thigh" and "swelling belly"—serve as powerful **Symbolism**, representing the corruption and barrenness that result from unfaithfulness, directly impacting the reproductive capacity and lineage, which were of utmost importance in Israelite society. The language itself is **Legalistic and Formulaic**, characteristic of covenant law, reinforcing the seriousness and binding nature of the oath and the divine decree.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 5:21 profoundly illustrates God's commitment to truth and justice, even in the most private and hidden aspects of human life. It underscores the sanctity of the marriage covenant within the broader covenant relationship between God and Israel, viewing marital infidelity not merely as a personal failing but as a breach of communal purity and divine order. The severe physical consequences highlight the gravity of sin and God's absolute authority to judge, demonstrating that no sin, especially covenantal unfaithfulness, remains unaddressed by Him. This passage reveals a God who sees all, knows all, and will ultimately bring all hidden things to light, ensuring that justice prevails where human means are insufficient.

* [1 Corinthians 4:5](/1_corinthians/4-5 "1 Corinthians 4:5 - God Will Bring Hidden Things to Light")
* [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage Is Honorable")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-4 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Are Naked Before God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of the bitter water is part of the Old Covenant law and is not practiced today, Numbers 5:21 offers enduring principles for believers across all generations. It calls us to live with integrity, recognizing that God is omniscient and omnipotent, seeing beyond human facades and into the deepest recesses of our hearts. This passage reminds us that hidden sins, especially those that violate sacred covenants like marriage, have profound spiritual and often tangible consequences. It encourages us to cultivate a life of transparency and faithfulness, not out of fear of a ritualistic test, but out of reverence for a holy God who values truth and purity. Ultimately, it points us to the comforting truth that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice, and we can trust His perfect judgment in all circumstances, even when human understanding or evidence falls short.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" challenge my understanding of God's justice and His involvement in human affairs?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to hide sin, and how does this passage encourage me to live with greater transparency before God and others?**
* **Considering the severity of the consequences for marital infidelity in this passage, how does the New Testament uphold the sanctity of marriage, and what is my responsibility in honoring that covenant today?**

### FAQ
**Was the "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" a form of trial by ordeal, and is it still practiced today?**

Answer: Yes, the "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" is considered a form of "trial by ordeal," where the accused's guilt or innocence is determined by a supernatural sign or intervention rather than human evidence. It was unique in the ancient Near East for its direct appeal to God's judgment rather than relying on chance or a human judge's interpretation of physical signs. This specific ritual was part of the Mosaic Law given to ancient Israel under the Old Covenant and is no longer practiced today. With the coming of Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant, the legal and ceremonial laws of the Old Testament have been fulfilled or superseded, and believers are now under grace, with a new understanding of sin, repentance, and divine justice (cf. [Romans 6:14](/romans/6-14 "Romans 6:14 - Not Under Law But Under Grace")).

**What do "thigh to rot" and "belly to swell" specifically mean, and how did they prove guilt?**

Answer: The phrases "thigh to rot" (יָרֵךְ נוֹפֶלֶת, _yarekh nofelet_) and "belly to swell" (בֶּטֶן צָבָה, _beten tzavah_) refer to severe, supernatural physical afflictions. While scholarly interpretations vary, "thigh to rot" is generally understood to refer to a wasting or collapse of the reproductive organs, potentially leading to infertility or a severe, debilitating genital disease. "Belly to swell" likely indicates a painful abdominal distension, possibly accompanied by fluid retention, or even a miscarriage if the woman was pregnant with an illicit child. These were not natural illnesses but miraculous manifestations of God's direct judgment, serving as undeniable, public proof of the woman's guilt. The immediate and public nature of these symptoms would confirm the divine verdict to the entire community, distinguishing the guilty from the innocent, who would remain unharmed by the bitter water.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" in Numbers 5:21, with its solemn oath and dire consequences for hidden sin, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate revelation of truth and the bearing of divine judgment found in Jesus Christ. The curse invoked upon the guilty woman—to become "a curse and an oath among thy people"—finds its profound fulfillment in Christ, who, though innocent, became a curse for us to redeem us from the curse of the law ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Where the Mosaic Law provided a temporary, ritualistic means to expose hidden sin and administer justice, Christ, as the spotless Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), perfectly bore the full weight of God's wrath against all sin, both hidden and manifest. He is the ultimate High Priest, not administering a bitter water test, but offering His own blood as the perfect atonement, providing true cleansing and reconciliation for those who confess their sins and trust in Him ([1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")). The physical decay and swelling described in Numbers 5:21, representing the wages of sin, are overcome by Christ's resurrection, which promises new life and deliverance from the power of sin and death for all who are in Him ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and Gift of God")). Thus, the terrifying prospect of divine judgment for hidden sin in the Old Covenant points us to the glorious grace of the New Covenant, where Christ has fully absorbed the curse, offering forgiveness and restoration to all who come to Him.

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

Joshua 6:26

And Joshua adjured [them] at that time, saying, Cursed [be] the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest [son] shall he set up the gates of it.

Nehemiah 10:29

They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;

1 Samuel 14:24

¶ And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted [any] food.

Jeremiah 29:22

And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which [are] in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;

Isaiah 65:15

And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:

2 Chronicles 21:15

And thou [shalt have] great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.

Matthew 26:74

Then began he to curse and to swear, [saying], I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.