Numbers 5:23

KJV

And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot [them] out with the bitter water:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the priest {H3548} shall write {H3789} these curses {H423} in a book {H5612}, and he shall blot {H4229} them out with the bitter {H4751} water {H4325}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The cohen is to write these curses on a scroll, wash them off into the water of embitterment

Berean Standard Bible

And the priest shall write these curses on a scroll and wash them off into the bitter water.

American Standard Version

And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out into the water of bitterness:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 5:23 is a pivotal verse within the unique and solemn "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" (Numbers 5:11-31), outlining the priest's crucial action of inscribing the curses associated with a suspected wife's infidelity onto a scroll, then dissolving these written imprecations into the "bitter water." This act was not merely procedural but deeply symbolic, intended to transfer the spiritual essence and power of the oath into the water, which the accused woman would then drink as a means of divine judgment, revealing either her guilt or vindicating her innocence in the absence of human witnesses.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 5:23 is embedded within the detailed instructions for the "Ordeal of the Bitter Water," a divinely ordained judicial process for addressing suspected marital infidelity. This ritual, spanning [Numbers 5:11-31](/numbers/5-11 "Numbers 5:11-31 - The Ordeal of the Bitter Water"), immediately follows laws concerning the purity of the camp (Numbers 5:1-4) and restitution for wrongs (Numbers 5:5-10), underscoring the high value placed on moral and ceremonial purity within the Israelite community. The passage functions as a unique case law, providing a mechanism for divine intervention in a situation where human evidence is lacking, thus maintaining justice and order within the covenant people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in many ancient Near Eastern societies, marital fidelity was paramount, forming a cornerstone of social order and covenant faithfulness. Adultery was a grave offense, often punishable by death (cf. [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery")). However, cases of suspected infidelity without witnesses presented a significant legal challenge. The "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" provided a divinely sanctioned method to resolve such disputes, appealing directly to God as the ultimate judge. This ritual reflected a society where divine immanence was deeply felt, and God was believed to actively intervene in human affairs, particularly in upholding the sanctity of the covenant and the moral purity of His people, as commanded throughout [the Mosaic Law](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments"). The act of writing and dissolving curses was not uncommon in the ancient world, but here it is uniquely tied to the Lord's direct intervention and justice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Write (Hebrew, _katab'_):** This verb signifies the act of inscribing or recording. In this context, it emphasizes the formal and binding nature of the curses. The written word carried authority and permanence, making the oath a tangible entity that could then be symbolically transferred.
* **Curses (Hebrew, _alah'_):** Refers to an oath of cursing, an imprecation, or a solemn adjuration. It's a conditional curse, meaning its effect is contingent upon the truth or falsehood of the accused. If the woman is guilty, the curses are invoked upon her; if innocent, they are nullified. This word highlights the severe consequences attached to the ritual for a guilty party.
* **Blot them out (Hebrew, _machah'_):** This verb literally means "to wipe away," "to erase," or "to obliterate." Here, it describes the priest washing the ink from the written curses into the water. This act is profoundly symbolic: it represents the dissolution of the written word into the liquid, thereby transferring the essence and power of the oath from the scroll into the water, to be ingested by the woman.
* **Bitter water (Hebrew, _mei ha-marim'_):** Literally "waters of bitterness." This term refers to the water prepared for the ordeal, mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor and the dissolved ink of the curses. The "bitterness" implies not just a taste, but the potential for bitter, painful consequences if the woman is guilty, or the absence of such bitterness if she is innocent. It is the vehicle through which divine judgment is delivered.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the priest shall write these curses in a book":** This clause establishes the priest's authoritative role in the ritual. The "book" (likely a scroll or tablet) serves as the medium for formally recording the specific oath of imprecation. The act of writing makes the curses concrete and legally binding, transforming them from spoken words into a tangible document, emphasizing the gravity and official nature of the proceedings.
* **"and he shall blot [them] out with the bitter water":** This describes the crucial symbolic action. The priest dissolves the ink of the written curses into the "bitter water." This is not merely a practical step of erasing but a ritualistic transfer of the curses' power and essence into the water. The water becomes imbued with the potential for divine judgment, ready to be consumed by the accused woman, thereby internalizing the oath and its consequences.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 5:23 is rich in **Symbolism** and functions as a key part of a larger **Ritual**. The act of writing the curses symbolizes the formal recording of divine judgment and the solemnity of the oath. The "book" or scroll represents the legal and covenantal authority behind the process. The dissolving of the curses into the water is a powerful symbol of transference: the potential for divine judgment is physically moved from the written word into the liquid, which the woman will then ingest. The "bitter water" itself is symbolic, representing the potential for bitter consequences of guilt, or conversely, the absence of such consequences for innocence. The entire ordeal is a highly structured **Ritual**, a formalized sequence of actions designed to achieve a specific spiritual and legal outcome, appealing to divine intervention where human evidence is absent. This ritualistic nature underscores the profound seriousness with which God views marital fidelity and the maintenance of purity within His covenant community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 5:23 underscores profound theological truths about God's omniscience, His commitment to justice, and the sanctity of covenantal relationships, particularly marriage. It reveals a God who is not distant but actively involved in upholding moral order within His people, even in hidden matters where human evidence fails. The ritual, though unique, highlights that no sin is truly hidden from God's sight, and He will ultimately bring truth to light. It also emphasizes the seriousness of sin, especially those that violate foundational covenants, demonstrating that sin has tangible consequences.

* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All things are naked and open before God")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and the Gift of God")
* [Proverbs 5:21](/proverbs/5-21 "Proverbs 5:21 - God Sees All Paths")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of the bitter water is no longer practiced under the New Covenant, the underlying principles of Numbers 5:23 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This passage serves as a potent reminder of God's absolute omniscience; there are no secrets from Him, and all things are laid bare before His eyes. This truth should cultivate a deep sense of integrity and authenticity in our lives, knowing that our hidden thoughts and actions are known to God. Furthermore, the gravity of the ordeal underscores the seriousness with which God views sin, particularly those that violate the sanctity of marriage and other covenantal commitments. It reminds us that sin, even when hidden from human eyes, carries spiritual consequences and disrupts the purity God desires for His people. Ultimately, this passage calls us to trust in God's perfect justice, even when human systems of justice are imperfect or incomplete, and to strive for purity and faithfulness in all our relationships, honoring the sacred vows we make before God and others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God's omniscience, as highlighted in this passage, impact your daily walk and your commitment to integrity?**
* **In what ways does this ancient ritual speak to the enduring importance of marital fidelity and the sanctity of vows in contemporary society?**
* **How can reflecting on the seriousness of sin in this context deepen your appreciation for God's grace and forgiveness in Christ?**
* **Where in your life might you need to trust God's ultimate justice, even when circumstances seem unclear or unfair?**

### FAQ
**Was the "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" a form of magic or superstition?**

Answer: No, the "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" was not magic or superstition in the pagan sense, but rather a divinely ordained judicial process. Unlike pagan magical practices that sought to manipulate deities or forces, this ritual was an appeal to the sovereign God of Israel to reveal hidden truth and administer justice. It was a unique, covenantal mechanism for God to intervene directly in a specific legal dilemma where human evidence was absent, upholding the purity of His people and the sanctity of marriage. The efficacy of the ritual depended entirely on God's active, righteous judgment, not on any inherent power in the water or the priest's actions apart from divine command. It served as a visible demonstration of God's omniscience and His commitment to justice within His covenant community (cf. [Deuteronomy 29:29](/deuteronomy/29-29 "Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Belong to the Lord")).

**Why was such an elaborate and seemingly harsh ritual necessary for suspected infidelity?**

Answer: This elaborate ritual was necessary due to the profound societal and theological implications of adultery in ancient Israel, coupled with the practical challenge of proving guilt without witnesses. Adultery was not merely a private offense but a violation of the marriage covenant, which mirrored God's covenant with Israel. It defiled the community and could invite divine judgment upon the nation (cf. [Leviticus 18:24-25](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24 - Do Not Defile Yourselves")). In cases where a husband suspected his wife but lacked proof, the ordeal provided a structured, public, and divinely sanctioned means to resolve the matter. It protected the innocent by offering vindication and exposed the guilty through supernatural means, thereby maintaining the moral purity and social order of the Israelite camp under God's watchful eye. It also served as a deterrent, emphasizing that even hidden sins would be brought to light by God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" in Numbers 5:23, with its focus on hidden sin, divine judgment, and the need for purity, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transcendence in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant ritual provided a temporary and specific means for God to expose hidden guilt or affirm innocence, Christ embodies the perfect revelation of truth and the ultimate solution to humanity's sin problem. He is the one who truly knows the secrets of all hearts (cf. [John 2:24-25](/john/2-24 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew All People")), making any external ordeal unnecessary. In the New Covenant, the "bitter water" of judgment is replaced by the living water of salvation offered through Christ (cf. [John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water")). Our justification before God is not contingent upon passing an ordeal, but upon faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice, where He bore the full curse of sin on our behalf (cf. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Moreover, Christ’s work establishes a new standard of purity, not merely ceremonial, but one of heart and spirit, enabling believers to live lives of true holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit (cf. [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy")). He is both the righteous Judge who will ultimately reveal all hidden things (cf. [Romans 2:16](/romans/2-16 "Romans 2:16 - God Will Judge the Secrets of Men")) and the merciful Savior who offers complete cleansing and reconciliation, making us pure in God's sight through His blood (cf. [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by the Blood of Christ")).

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.