Numbers 5:25

KJV

Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the offering before the LORD, and offer it upon the altar:

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the priest {H3548} shall take {H3947} the jealousy {H7068} offering {H4503} out of the woman's {H802} hand {H3027}, and shall wave {H5130} the offering {H4503} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, and offer {H7126} it upon the altar {H4196}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the cohen is to remove the grain offering for jealousy from the woman's hand, wave the grain offering before ADONAI and bring it to the altar.

Berean Standard Bible

The priest shall take from her hand the grain offering for jealousy, wave it before the LORD, and bring it to the altar.

American Standard Version

And the priest shall take the meal-offering of jealousy out of the woman’s hand, and shall wave the meal-offering before Jehovah, and bring it unto the altar:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 5:25 details a crucial procedural step within the "Law of Jealousy" (the Sotah ritual), where the officiating priest formally receives the designated jealousy offering from the hand of the accused woman. This transfer of the offering symbolizes the woman's submission to the divine test and the priest's role as mediator. The priest then performs a solemn "waving" gesture, presenting the offering directly before the LORD, before placing it upon the altar. This sequence of actions marks the formal initiation of the divine arbitration, transitioning the matter from human suspicion to God's ultimate judgment and revelation of truth within the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an indispensable component of the meticulously prescribed "Law of Jealousy" found in [Numbers 5:11-31](/numbers/5-11-31 "Numbers 5:11-31 - The Law of Jealousy"). Immediately preceding this verse, the text describes the husband bringing his suspected wife to the priest, the woman's hair being unbound, and the placement of the jealousy offering in her hands. The priest has also administered a solemn oath, invoking a curse upon the woman if she is guilty. Thus, [Numbers 5:25](/numbers/5-25 "Numbers 5:25 - Priest Takes and Waves the Offering") represents the formal, public act of committing the case into God's hands. It directly precedes the preparation and drinking of the "bitter water that brings a curse" by the woman, as detailed in [Numbers 5:26-28](/numbers/5-26-28 "Numbers 5:26-28 - The Bitter Water Test"). This precise positioning within the ritual highlights its significance as the ceremonial bridge between human accusation and divine intervention, setting the stage for God's verdict.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in many ancient Near Eastern societies, the sanctity of marriage and marital fidelity were foundational to social order and family honor. Adultery was considered a grave sin, often carrying the penalty of death ([Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery")). However, the "Law of Jealousy" addressed a unique and challenging scenario: a husband's deep suspicion of his wife's infidelity when there was no concrete evidence or witnesses to prove guilt or innocence. This legal vacuum left both the husband and the accused woman in a precarious position. The ritual offered a divinely ordained mechanism to resolve such ambiguous cases, protecting the woman from unsubstantiated accusations while also providing a means for the husband's "jealousy" (a term that encompasses intense suspicion or zeal) to be addressed. It underscored the profound Israelite belief that God's omniscience extended to the most private matters, making the Tabernacle the ultimate court where hidden truths could be revealed. The offering itself, made of inexpensive barley meal without oil (symbolizing joy) or frankincense (symbolizing pleasant aroma), starkly contrasted with joyful voluntary offerings, emphasizing the somber and involuntary nature of the ritual.
* **Key Themes:** The "Law of Jealousy" and specifically [Numbers 5:25](/numbers/5-25 "Numbers 5:25 - Priest Takes and Waves the Offering") contribute to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Justice and Omniscience**. God is presented as the ultimate arbiter of truth, capable of discerning hidden sins and motives that are beyond human detection. This ritual demonstrates His direct involvement in maintaining the moral and social purity of the covenant community. Another key theme is the **Sanctity of Covenant Relationships**, particularly marriage. The elaborate nature of the ritual underscores the high value God placed on marital fidelity and the devastating impact of its breach. Furthermore, the passage highlights the **Role of the Priesthood** as mediators between God and the people, performing sacred rites that invoke divine presence and judgment. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Holiness and Purity** within Israel, demonstrating God's demand for integrity among His people and His provision for dealing with potential defilement, even when unproven by human means, as seen in the broader context of [Numbers](/numbers "The Book of Numbers") which frequently addresses issues of ritual purity and defilement.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Priest (Hebrew, _kôhên'_ H3548):** This term refers to one officiating in sacred rites, a designated servant of God responsible for mediating between the LORD and the people. In this context, the priest acts as God's representative, performing the ritual actions that bring the matter before divine judgment. His role is crucial for the legitimacy and efficacy of the Sotah ritual, emphasizing that this is not a human trial but a sacred appeal to God.
* **Wave (Hebrew, _nûwph'_ H5130):** This primitive root describes a quivering or vibrating motion, specifically used here for a ritual action of moving an offering back and forth or up and down. The "waving" of the offering is a symbolic act of presentation, dedicating or consecrating the item to the LORD. It signifies the solemn presentation of the entire case—the accusation, the woman, and the offering—directly into the divine presence for judgment, an appeal to God's authority and omniscience.
* **Offering (Hebrew, _minchâh'_ H4503):** This word denotes a donation or tribute, specifically a sacrificial offering, often bloodless and voluntary. In the context of the jealousy offering, it refers to the specific grain offering (barley meal) brought in cases of suspected infidelity. Unlike most grain offerings, its lack of oil and frankincense underscores the somber, involuntary, and distressful nature of the situation, representing the bitterness and lack of joy associated with the accusation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman's hand":** This initial action signifies the formal transfer of the offering from the accused woman to the priest. Having physically presented herself and the offering before God, the woman now submits to the divine test, and the priest assumes his mediating role. The offering, previously held by her, becomes an instrument in the sacred ritual, under the priest's control for solemn presentation to God. This act underscores her submission to the process and the priest's authority within it.
* **"and shall wave the offering before the LORD":** This is a pivotal ceremonial act. The priest performs the "waving" gesture, a prescribed movement of the offering. This is not merely a physical motion but a profound symbolic act of presenting the offering, and by extension, the entire unresolved case, directly to God. It functions as an invocation of divine attention and a solemn petition for the LORD to witness and judge the truth of the situation, appealing to His omniscience.
* **"and offer it upon the altar":** Following the waving, the priest brings the offering to the altar. While only a handful of the offering is specified for burning in [Numbers 5:26](/numbers/5-26 "Numbers 5:26 - Priest Burns a Handful"), placing it "upon the altar" signifies its complete dedication and consecration to God. The altar, as the central place of sacrifice and divine communion, represents the ultimate location for the presentation of this solemn petition for truth and justice, underscoring that the matter is now fully in God's hands for His divine verdict.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices that amplify its meaning and impact. **Ritual Drama** is paramount, as the entire "Law of Jealousy" unfolds as a meticulously choreographed sequence of actions, gestures, and spoken words. Each step, including the priest taking and waving the offering, contributes to the solemnity and dramatic tension of the occasion, creating a public spectacle of divine judgment. **Symbolism** pervades the ritual: the "jealousy offering" itself, made of barley without oil or frankincense, symbolizes the bitterness, lack of joy, and distress inherent in the situation. The act of **Waving** is highly symbolic of presentation, dedication, and an appeal for divine intervention, a visual prayer directed at God. The woman's unbound hair ([Numbers 5:18](/numbers/5-18 "Numbers 5:18 - Unbound Hair")) symbolizes her shame, vulnerability, and public exposure. The **Altar** serves as a potent **Focal Point**, representing God's immediate presence and the sacred space where human matters are brought for divine discernment and judgment. These combined elements create a powerful, multi-sensory experience designed to impress upon all participants the gravity of the situation and the absolute authority of God in revealing hidden truths.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 5:25 profoundly underscores several theological truths about God's character and His active engagement with humanity. It reveals God as the ultimate arbiter of truth, especially in situations where human evidence is insufficient or entirely absent. This ritual highlights His omniscience, demonstrating unequivocally that no secret deed, no hidden motive, and no private sin is concealed from His all-seeing eye. Furthermore, it emphasizes God's unwavering commitment to justice and the sanctity of covenant relationships, particularly marriage, within His people. The divine intervention sought through this ritual affirms that God cares deeply about purity and integrity within His community, providing a recourse when human systems of justice fall short. It underscores that God is not a distant deity but one intimately involved in the moral fabric of His people.

* [Proverbs 5:21](/proverbs/5-21 "Proverbs 5:21 - God Sees All Ways") - "For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings."
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Open Before God") - "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."
* [Deuteronomy 29:29](/deuteronomy/29-29 "Deuteronomy 29:29 - Secret Things Belong to God") - "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of the jealousy offering is part of the Old Covenant Mosaic Law and is not literally practiced by believers today, its underlying principles remain profoundly relevant for our lives. This passage serves as a powerful and enduring reminder of God's unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and the sanctity of covenant, even in the most private and complex human situations. It challenges us to cultivate lives of profound integrity and transparency, knowing that nothing is truly hidden from God's all-seeing eye. For those in relationships, it underscores the sacredness of covenant commitments and the vital importance of fidelity, trust, and purity. When faced with ambiguity, suspicion, or the temptation to conceal, this passage calls us to trust in God's ultimate righteousness and His perfect ability to discern and reveal truth, rather than resorting to human judgment, bitterness, or deception. Ultimately, it encourages us to live in conscious awareness of God's omnipresence and His perfect knowledge, striving to honor Him in all our actions, thoughts, and relationships.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage deepen our understanding of God's justice and omniscience, particularly in situations where truth is hidden from human perception?**
* **What enduring principles of integrity, faithfulness, and trust in divine justice can we draw from this ancient ritual for our relationships and personal conduct today?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to hide our actions or motives, and how does the concept of God's all-seeing eye challenge us to live with greater transparency and authenticity before Him?**

### FAQ
**Why was such a ritual necessary in ancient Israel?**

Answer: This ritual was necessary primarily because it addressed a specific legal and social dilemma: a husband's strong, unproven suspicion of his wife's infidelity. In a society where marital fidelity was paramount and adultery was a capital offense, the absence of witnesses or concrete evidence created an untenable situation. The ritual served several crucial purposes: it provided a formal, divinely sanctioned process for resolving such ambiguous cases, preventing either an accused woman from being condemned without proof or an unfaithful wife from escaping justice. It protected the accused woman from mere rumor or unsubstantiated accusation by allowing God to be the ultimate judge. It upheld the sanctity of marriage and communal purity by ensuring that hidden sin could be exposed by divine means. Finally, it offered a path to resolution for the husband's intense "jealousy" or suspicion, which could otherwise fester and lead to domestic or communal strife. It demonstrated God's direct involvement in the moral and social fabric of His covenant people, as seen throughout the Law in [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy "The Book of Deuteronomy").

**Is the "jealousy offering" still relevant for believers today?**

Answer: While the specific ritual of the jealousy offering is part of the Old Covenant ceremonial law and is not literally practiced by Christians today, its underlying theological and ethical principles remain profoundly relevant. It powerfully illustrates God's character as omniscient, just, and deeply concerned with the purity and integrity of His people. It reminds us that God sees all things, even our most hidden thoughts and actions, and that ultimately, all truth will be revealed ([Luke 12:2](/luke/12-2 "Luke 12:2 - Nothing Hidden That Will Not Be Revealed")). For believers, this passage underscores the importance of personal integrity, marital fidelity, and trusting in God's perfect judgment rather than relying solely on human means or succumbing to suspicion. It points to a God who cares about justice and truth in our relationships and in our hearts, echoing the call to holiness and purity found throughout Scripture ([1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Law of Jealousy, with its intricate ritual and solemn appeal to divine judgment, ultimately points to humanity's profound need for a perfect revelation of truth and a complete, final atonement for sin, both of which are fully realized in Jesus Christ. The "jealousy offering" highlighted the limitations of human justice in discerning hidden sin and administering a definitive verdict, creating a longing for a divine intervention that was more than symbolic. Christ fulfills this longing as the ultimate High Priest, who not only discerns the secrets of all hearts but also offers Himself as the one true and final sacrifice for all sin—both known and unknown, public and hidden ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Unlike the temporary offering of barley, Christ's blood cleanses the conscience from dead works to serve the living God, providing eternal redemption. Where the ritual in Numbers brought a woman to the brink of judgment, Jesus, in His encounter with the woman caught in adultery, demonstrated a divine justice perfectly tempered with mercy and grace, revealing that He had come not to condemn the world but to save it ([John 8:1-11](/john/8-1-11 "John 8:1-11 - Jesus and the Adulterous Woman"); [John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save the World")). He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilling the need for a spotless offering and providing the ultimate revelation of God's truth and His path to reconciliation for all who trust in 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

Leviticus 8:27

And he put all upon Aaron's hands, and upon his sons' hands, and waved them [for] a wave offering before the LORD.

Numbers 5:15

Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth [part] of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it [is] an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.

Exodus 29:24

And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them [for] a wave offering before the LORD.

Numbers 5:18

And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which [is] the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse: