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 describes a pivotal action within the unique and solemn "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" (Numbers 5:11-31), detailing the priest's essential role in inscribing the specific curses of the oath onto a scroll, then ritually dissolving these written imprecations into the "bitter water." This act was not merely procedural but deeply symbolic, intended to transfer the spiritual essence and potential power of the oath from the written word into the water, which the accused woman would then ingest as a means of divine judgment, thereby revealing her guilt or vindicating her innocence in the absence of human witnesses.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 5:23 is intricately woven into the detailed instructions for the "Ordeal of the Bitter Water," a divinely mandated judicial process designed to address suspected marital infidelity. This ritual, spanning [Numbers 5:11-31](/numbers/5-11-31 "Numbers 5:11-31 - The Ordeal of the Bitter Water for Suspected Adultery"), is strategically placed immediately following laws concerning the purity of the Israelite camp (Numbers 5:1-4) and the principles of restitution for wrongs (Numbers 5:5-10). This placement underscores the paramount importance of moral and ceremonial purity within the covenant community. The passage functions as a unique case law, providing a mechanism for divine intervention in situations where human evidence is lacking, thus ensuring the maintenance of justice, order, and the sanctity of marriage within the covenant people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in many ancient Near Eastern societies, marital fidelity was a cornerstone of social order and covenant faithfulness. Adultery was considered a grave offense, often carrying the penalty of 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 and social dilemma. The "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" offered a divinely sanctioned method to resolve such disputes, appealing directly to God as the ultimate, omniscient Judge. This ritual reflected a society deeply conscious of divine immanence, where 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"). While the act of writing and dissolving curses was known in the ancient world, its application here is uniquely tied to the Lord's direct intervention and righteous justice.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 5:23 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Justice and Omniscience**, demonstrating God's commitment to exposing hidden sin and upholding righteousness, even when human evidence is absent. It highlights the **Sanctity of Covenant and Marriage**, emphasizing the gravity of infidelity as a breach of a foundational covenant. The ritual also underscores the theme of **Purity and Holiness** within the camp, as the ordeal serves to cleanse the community of defilement. Furthermore, it speaks to **Divine Authority in Law**, illustrating God's unique role as the ultimate Lawgiver and Judge, providing specific statutes for the life of His people (cf. [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God is Just and Righteous")). The detailed nature of the ritual reflects the meticulousness of God's concern for the moral integrity of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Priest (Hebrew, _kôhên'_):** This term refers to one officiating in sacred rites, specifically a priest. In this context, it highlights the priest's authoritative and mediatorial role in the ritual. He is not merely a scribe but the divinely appointed agent through whom the sacred ordeal is administered, emphasizing the formal, religious, and binding nature of the proceedings.
* **Write (Hebrew, _kâthab'_):** This primitive root signifies the act of inscribing, recording, or describing. Here, it emphasizes the formal and binding nature of the curses. The written word carried legal and spiritual authority, transforming the spoken oath into a tangible entity that could then be symbolically transferred, underscoring the gravity and official nature of the proceedings.
* **Blot them out (Hebrew, _mâchâh'_):** This primitive root literally means "to wipe away," "to erase," or "to obliterate." In this verse, 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. This physical act signifies the spiritual transfer of the curse's potential effect.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the priest shall write these curses in a book":** This opening clause establishes the priest's central and authoritative role in initiating the divine judgment. The "book" (likely a scroll or tablet) serves as the formal medium for recording the specific oath of imprecation, which outlines the consequences of guilt. The act of writing makes the curses concrete, legally binding, and a tangible document, emphasizing the solemnity, gravity, and official nature of the proceedings. It signifies the formal declaration of the divine judgment.
* **"and he shall blot [them] out with the bitter water":** This describes the crucial, symbolic action that follows the writing. The priest meticulously dissolves the ink of the written curses into the "bitter water." This is far more than a simple act of erasing; it is a ritualistic transfer of the curses' power and essence from the written form into the liquid. The water thus becomes imbued with the potential for divine judgment, ready to be consumed by the accused woman, thereby internalizing the oath and its potential consequences. This act transforms the water into the vehicle of divine revelation and justice.

#### 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, making the abstract imprecation concrete and legally binding. The "book" or scroll itself represents the legal and covenantal authority underpinning the entire 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. This act signifies the internalization of the oath and its consequences. The "bitter water" itself is deeply symbolic, representing not just a taste, but the potential for bitter, painful consequences of guilt, or conversely, the absence of such bitterness 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 directly 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 profoundly underscores several enduring theological truths about God's character and His relationship with His covenant people. It highlights God's absolute omniscience, revealing a God from whom no secret is hidden and who is capable of bringing truth to light even in the most private and unprovable circumstances. This passage also demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to justice, particularly in upholding the sanctity of covenantal relationships like marriage, which serve as foundational pillars for social and spiritual order. The ritual, though unique to its time, powerfully conveys that sin, especially that which violates sacred vows, carries tangible consequences and ultimately cannot escape divine scrutiny. It reveals a God who is actively involved in maintaining the moral purity of His people and who will ultimately judge all unrighteousness.

* [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 Is Death")
* [Proverbs 5:21](/proverbs/5-21 "Proverbs 5:21 - The Ways of a Man Are Before the Eyes of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of the bitter water is no longer practiced under the New Covenant, the underlying principles embedded in 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, intentions, and actions are fully known to God. Furthermore, the gravity of the ordeal underscores the seriousness with which God views sin, particularly those transgressions 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, knowing that true purity begins in the heart.

#### 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 both public and private life?**
* **In what ways does this ancient ritual speak to the enduring importance of marital fidelity and the sanctity of vows in contemporary society, particularly within the Christian community?**
* **How can reflecting on the seriousness of sin in this context deepen your appreciation for God's boundless grace and complete forgiveness found only in Christ?**
* **Where in your life might you need to trust God's ultimate justice and perfect timing, even when circumstances seem unclear, unfair, or when you lack human evidence?**

### 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 a direct appeal to the sovereign God of Israel to reveal hidden truth and administer righteous justice. It was a unique, covenantal mechanism for God to intervene directly in a specific legal dilemma where human evidence was absent, thereby 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, revealing "the secret things" that "belong to the Lord our God" ([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 grievous violation of the marriage covenant, which itself mirrored God's covenant with Israel. It defiled the community and could invite divine judgment upon the nation (cf. [Leviticus 18:24-25](/leviticus/18-24-25 "Leviticus 18:24-25 - Do Not Defile Yourselves")). In cases where a husband suspected his wife but lacked concrete proof, the ordeal provided a structured, public, and divinely sanctioned means to resolve the matter. It protected the innocent by offering supernatural vindication and exposed the guilty through divine means, thereby maintaining the moral purity and social order of the Israelite camp under God's watchful eye. It also served as a powerful deterrent, emphasizing that even hidden sins would ultimately be brought to light by God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "Ordeal of the Bitter Water" in Numbers 5:23, with its profound focus on hidden sin, divine judgment, and the imperative for purity within God's covenant community, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transcendence in the person and work of 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, comprehensive solution to humanity's pervasive sin problem. He is the one who truly knows the secrets of all hearts, requiring no external ordeal to discern truth, for "he himself knew what was in man" ([John 2:24-25](/john/2-24-25 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew What Was in Man")). In the New Covenant, the "bitter water" of judgment, which brought curses upon the guilty, is replaced by the living water of salvation offered freely 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 or proving our innocence, but upon faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice, where He bore the full curse of sin on our behalf, redeeming us from its power (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 indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (cf. [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy")). He is both the righteous Judge who will ultimately reveal all hidden things on the day when "God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus" ([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 precious 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.

Cross-References

Isaiah 43:25

I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Jeremiah 51:60

So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, [even] all these words that are written against Babylon.

Jeremiah 51:64

And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far [are] the words of Jeremiah.

Acts 3:19

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

1 Corinthians 16:21

The salutation of [me] Paul with mine own hand.

1 Corinthians 16:22

If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

Exodus 17:14

And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this [for] a memorial in a book, and rehearse [it] in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.