Numbers 5:23

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

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}:

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

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

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

Commentary

Context

Numbers 5:23 is part of the unique and controversial "Ordeal of the Bitter Water," described in Numbers 5:11-31. This passage outlines a specific legal and ceremonial procedure for a husband to follow if he suspected his wife of infidelity but lacked concrete proof. The ritual was designed to appeal directly to God for divine judgment, either to expose guilt or vindicate innocence, particularly in cases where no human witnesses were present.

In this verse, the priest's action of writing down the curses (an oath of cursing, or imprecation) and then washing them into the "bitter water" is a crucial symbolic step. The water, mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor and the ink of the written curses, was then to be drunk by the accused woman. This ritual underscored the gravity of marital fidelity within the Israelite community and God's role in upholding purity and justice within His covenant with Israel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Revelation: The ordeal was a mechanism for God Himself to intervene and reveal hidden sin or confirm innocence. It highlighted that nothing is truly hidden from God's sight.
  • Symbolism of the Ritual: The act of writing the curses and then blotting them out into the water was deeply symbolic. It meant that if the woman was guilty, the curses would enter her body and take effect; if innocent, they would be nullified, and she would be proven pure. The dissolution of the written words into the water represented the spiritual absorption of the oath.
  • Purity and Holiness: This law emphasized the supreme importance of marital fidelity and sexual purity within the community. Adultery was seen not just as a breach of trust between spouses but as a defilement that could bring judgment upon the entire nation, challenging the very holiness God demanded of His people.
  • The Power of the Spoken/Written Word: The curses, once written and then mingled with the water, were believed to carry divine power to bring about their intended effect based on the woman's guilt or innocence.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "blot them out" comes from the Hebrew word machah (ΧžΦΈΧ—ΦΈΧ”), which literally means "to wipe away," "to erase," or "to obliterate." In this context, it refers to the act of washing the ink from the scroll or tablet into the water. This action was not merely to dissolve the ink, but to symbolically transfer the essence and power of the written curses into the "bitter water" (Hebrew: mei ha-marim, "waters of bitterness"), which the woman would then drink. The bitterness implied not just taste, but the potential bitter consequences of guilt.

Practical Application

While the specific ritual of the bitter water is no longer practiced under the New Covenant, the principles it embodies remain relevant:

  • God's Omniscience: This passage powerfully reminds us that God sees all things, even hidden actions and secret thoughts. There are no secrets from Him (Hebrews 4:13). This should encourage integrity and truthfulness in our lives.
  • The Seriousness of Sin: The elaborate and solemn nature of this ritual underscores the gravity with which God views sin, particularly those that disrupt foundational covenants like marriage. Sin has consequences, and God is just in addressing them (Romans 6:23).
  • Importance of Purity: The emphasis on purity within the community, especially regarding marriage, serves as a timeless reminder of the sanctity of marital vows and the importance of faithfulness.
  • Trust in God's Justice: Even in situations where human judgment is impossible due to lack of evidence, this passage illustrates that ultimately, justice belongs to the Lord, and He will ensure truth is revealed.
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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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