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 describes a pivotal moment in the "Law of Jealousy" (the Sotah ritual), where the priest takes the designated jealousy offering from the accused woman. This act signifies the formal presentation of the case before the LORD. The priest then performs a "waving" gesture, symbolically presenting the offering directly to God, before placing it upon the altar. This ritual action marks the transition from human suspicion to divine arbitration, emphasizing God's role as the ultimate revealer of truth and judge of hidden matters within the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral step within the detailed "Law of Jealousy" outlined in [Numbers 5:11-31](/numbers/5-11 "Numbers 5:11-31 - The Law of Jealousy"). The preceding verses describe the husband bringing his suspected wife to the priest, the woman's hair being unbound, and the placement of the offering in her hands. Verse 25 follows the solemn oath that the priest administers, where the woman invokes a curse upon herself if she is guilty. The act of the priest taking the offering from her hand and waving it before the LORD is the formal initiation of the divine test, immediately preceding 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 "Numbers 5:26-28 - The Bitter Water Test"). This verse, therefore, represents the public and ceremonial commitment of the matter into God's hands.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in many ancient Near Eastern societies, marital fidelity was paramount, forming the bedrock of family and communal stability. Adultery was a grave offense, often punishable by death ([Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery")). However, the "Law of Jealousy" addressed a specific, vulnerable scenario: when a husband suspected his wife of infidelity but lacked concrete proof or witnesses, leaving him in a state of unresolved suspicion. This ritual provided a divinely sanctioned mechanism to resolve such ambiguous cases, protecting both the accused woman from unsubstantiated accusations and the husband's honor, while upholding the sanctity of marriage within the covenant community. It underscored the belief that God's omniscience could discern hidden truths beyond human capacity, making the tabernacle a place where divine justice could be sought even in the most private of matters. The offering itself, made of inexpensive barley meal without oil or frankincense, symbolized the somber and involuntary nature of the situation, contrasting sharply with joyful, voluntary offerings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jealousy Offering (Language, מִנְחַת קְנָאֹת, _minchat qena'ot'_):** This phrase literally translates to "offering of jealousies" or "offering of indignation." It refers to the specific grain offering (barley meal) brought in cases of suspected infidelity. Unlike most grain offerings, it contained no oil (symbol of joy/blessing) or frankincense (symbol of prayer/pleasant aroma), underscoring the grim, somber, and involuntary nature of the ritual. It is an offering born out of distress and suspicion, not joyous worship, and serves as a tangible representation of the intense emotional and spiritual conflict at hand.
* **Wave (Language, נוּף, _nuph'_):** This verb describes a specific priestly ritual action involving moving the offering back and forth or up and down before the altar. The waving of the offering was a symbolic act of presentation, dedicating or consecrating the item to the LORD. In this context, it signifies the solemn presentation of the entire matter—the accusation, the woman, and the offering—directly into the divine presence for judgment. It is an appeal to God's authority and omniscience to intervene and reveal the truth.
* **Before the LORD (Language, לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, _lifnei YHWH'_):** This phrase emphasizes that the entire ritual is performed in the immediate presence of God, typically at the entrance to the Tabernacle or later, the Temple. It signifies that the matter is being brought directly to the divine judge, bypassing human courts due to lack of evidence. The "waving" and "offering upon the altar" are not merely human actions but sacred acts performed in the divine court, invoking God's direct attention and ultimate verdict.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman's hand":** This action signifies the formal transfer of the offering from the woman, who has physically presented herself and the offering before God, to the priest. It marks her submission to the divine test and the priest's assumption of his mediating role. The offering, previously held by the woman, now becomes an instrument in the sacred ritual, under the priest's control for presentation to God.
* **"and shall wave the offering before the LORD":** This is a crucial ceremonial act. The priest performs the "waving" gesture, raising and moving the offering in a prescribed manner. This is not merely a physical movement but a symbolic act of presenting the offering, and by extension, the entire case, directly to God. It is an invocation of divine attention and a solemn petition for God to witness and judge the truth of the situation.
* **"and offer it upon the altar":** After waving, the priest brings the offering to the altar. While the text doesn't specify burning the entire offering here (only a handful is burned 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 is the place of sacrifice and divine communion, making it the ultimate location for the presentation of this solemn petition for truth and justice.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Ritual Drama** is central, as the entire "Law of Jealousy" unfolds as a carefully choreographed sequence of actions, gestures, and words designed to elicit a divine response. Each step, including the priest taking and waving the offering, contributes to the dramatic tension and solemnity of the occasion. **Symbolism** is pervasive: the "jealousy offering" itself, made of barley without oil or frankincense, symbolizes the bitterness and lack of joy in the situation. The act of **Waving** is symbolic of presentation and dedication to God, a visual prayer for divine intervention. The woman's unbound hair ([Numbers 5:18](/numbers/5-18 "Numbers 5:18 - Unbound Hair")) symbolizes her shame or vulnerability. The altar serves as a **Focal Point**, representing God's presence and the place where human matters are brought for divine judgment. These elements combine to create a powerful, multi-sensory experience designed to impress upon all participants the gravity of the situation and the absolute authority of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 5:25 underscores profound theological truths about God's character and His engagement with humanity. It reveals God as the ultimate arbiter of truth, particularly in situations where human evidence is insufficient or absent. This ritual highlights His omniscience, demonstrating that no secret deed, no hidden motive, and no private sin is concealed from His sight. Furthermore, it emphasizes God's unwavering commitment to justice and the sanctity of covenant relationships, especially 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 fall short.

* [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 practiced today, its underlying principles remain profoundly relevant for believers. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to truth and justice, even in the most private and complex human situations. It challenges us to live lives of integrity and transparency, knowing that nothing is truly hidden from God's all-seeing eye. For those in relationships, it underscores the sanctity of covenant and the importance of fidelity. When faced with ambiguity or suspicion, it calls us to trust in God's ultimate righteousness and His ability to discern and reveal truth, rather than resorting to human judgment or bitterness. Ultimately, it encourages us to cultivate a life that honors God in all things, acknowledging His omnipresence and His perfect knowledge.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage inform our understanding of God's justice and omniscience in situations where truth is hidden from human eyes?**
* **What principles of integrity and faithfulness 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 more transparently?**

### 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 suspicion of his wife's infidelity when there were no witnesses or concrete evidence to prove guilt or innocence. Without this divine recourse, an accused woman could be condemned without proof, or an unfaithful wife could escape justice. The ritual served several purposes: it provided a formal, divinely sanctioned process for resolving such ambiguous cases; 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; and 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 highly relevant. It powerfully illustrates God's character as omniscient, just, and concerned with the purity and integrity of His people. It reminds us that God sees all things, even 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. It points to a God who cares about justice and truth in our relationships and in our hearts, echoing the call to holiness found throughout Scripture ([1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "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 the profound need for a perfect revelation of truth and a complete atonement for sin, which is fully realized in Jesus Christ. The "jealousy offering" highlighted humanity's inability to perfectly discern hidden sin and administer justice, 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 "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. 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 tempered with mercy and grace, revealing that He had come not to condemn but to save ([John 8:1-11](/john/8-1 "John 8:1-11 - Jesus and the Adulterous Woman")). 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.