Numbers 5:27

KJV

And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, [that], if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, [and become] bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when he hath made her to drink {H8248} the water {H4325}, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled {H2930}, and have done {H4603} trespass {H4604} against her husband {H376}, that the water {H4325} that causeth the curse {H779} shall enter {H935} into her, and become bitter {H4751}, and her belly {H990} shall swell {H6638}, and her thigh {H3409} shall rot {H5307}: and the woman {H802} shall be a curse {H423} among {H7130} her people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When he has made her drink the water, then, if she is unclean and has been unfaithful to her husband, the water that causes the curse will enter her and become bitter, so that her abdomen swells and her private parts shrivel up; and the woman will become an object of cursing among her people.

Berean Standard Bible

When he has made her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel, and she will become accursed among her people.

American Standard Version

And when he hath made her drink the water, then it shall come to pass, if she be defiled, and have committed a trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her and become bitter, and her body shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away: and the woman shall be a curse among her people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 5:27 details the dire consequences for a woman found guilty of infidelity through the "Law of Jealousy" ritual. This verse describes the physical afflictions—a swelling belly and a rotting thigh—that would befall her as the "water that causeth the curse" took effect, publicly marking her as defiled and making her "a curse among her people." It underscores God's commitment to justice, the sanctity of marriage, and the severe repercussions of covenant unfaithfulness within ancient Israelite society.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 5:27 is the climax of the "Law of Jealousy," a unique legal and ritualistic procedure outlined in [Numbers 5:11-31](/numbers/5-11 "Numbers 5:11-31 - The Law of Jealousy"). This section immediately follows laws concerning uncleanness and restitution, emphasizing the importance of purity and justice within the Israelite camp. The ritual begins with a husband's suspicion of his wife's infidelity, for which he has no direct proof. The priest would lead the woman through a solemn ceremony involving an offering, the writing of curses on a scroll, washing the writing into "bitter water" (water mixed with dust from the Tabernacle floor), and requiring the woman to drink this water. The preceding verses, particularly [Numbers 5:21-22](/numbers/5-21 "Numbers 5:21-22 - The Oath of Imprecation"), detail the priest's adjuration and the woman's oath, invoking the curse upon herself if guilty. Verse 27, therefore, describes the physical manifestation of this divinely administered judgment, serving as the definitive outcome of the entire process.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, lineage, family honor, and marital fidelity were paramount. A wife's purity was crucial for establishing paternity and ensuring the integrity of the family line, which had significant social and economic implications, including inheritance rights. Unlike many ancient Near Eastern cultures where infidelity might be punished by stoning or other severe means based on human testimony, the "Law of Jealousy" provided a unique, divinely ordained mechanism when human evidence was lacking. This ritual was not a magical incantation but a solemn appeal to God's omniscience and justice. It served to uphold the sanctity of marriage, deter secret sin, and provide a clear, public resolution to a deeply destabilizing domestic issue. The public nature of the curse, making the woman "a curse among her people," highlights the communal impact of individual sin and the societal importance of maintaining moral order, as seen in other covenant curses described in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Defiled (Hebrew, _ṭāmēʾ'_):** This term signifies ritual impurity, but in this context, it carries a strong moral and covenantal weight. It describes a state of being ceremonially unclean and morally corrupted through an act of trespass against the marital covenant. The defilement is not merely physical but spiritual, indicating a broken relationship with both her husband and, by extension, God's law.
* **Bitter (Hebrew, _mar'_):** The water is described as "bitter," which is both a literal descriptor (due to the dust and ink) and a powerful metaphor. Bitterness often symbolizes sorrow, suffering, and the painful consequences of sin. Here, it represents the bitter fruit of unconfessed guilt and the experience of divine judgment. The internal bitterness of the water mirrors the internal spiritual corruption of the guilty woman.
* **Thigh (Hebrew, _yerek'_):** This term is widely understood as a euphemism for the reproductive organs, encompassing the loins, generative region, and the capacity for procreation. The phrase "thigh shall rot" (Hebrew, _naphal yerek_) implies a wasting away, a collapse, or a falling away of this vital area. This severe affliction would likely render the woman barren, unable to bear children, or cause miscarriage, directly striking at her ability to contribute to the family line—a profound punishment in a culture that highly valued progeny and lineage.
* **Curse (Hebrew, _qelālāh'_):** To become "a curse among her people" means she would be an object of public shame, disgrace, and a living example of God's judgment. She would be ostracized, her reputation ruined, and her life likely shattered. This public designation served as a stark warning to others about the serious consequences of covenant infidelity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he hath made her to drink the water":** This refers to the culmination of the ritual, where the priest administers the "water of bitterness that causeth the curse" to the woman. This act is the point of divine intervention, initiating the test.
* **"then it shall come to pass, [that], if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband":** This clause clarifies the condition for the curse's activation. The physical manifestations only occur if she is genuinely guilty of defilement (sexual impurity) and has committed a "trespass" (an act of unfaithfulness or betrayal) against her husband. This emphasizes that the outcome is not random but a direct response to her actual guilt.
* **"that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, [and become] bitter":** This describes the mechanism. The water, imbued with the curses written by the priest, becomes the vehicle for divine judgment. Its "bitterness" is both literal and symbolic of the painful consequences of sin.
* **"and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot":** These are the specific, severe physical manifestations of the curse. The swelling belly could indicate a miscarriage or a grotesque disfigurement, while the "rotting thigh" (as discussed in Key Word Analysis) points to the incapacitation or destruction of her reproductive capacity. These afflictions directly target the area of her sin, making the judgment powerfully symbolic.
* **"and the woman shall be a curse among her people":** This final phrase describes the social and communal consequence. Beyond the physical suffering, she would endure public shame and ostracism, becoming a living testament to God's judgment against infidelity, serving as a warning and deterrent to the entire community.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 5:27 employs several powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is central, with the "bitter water" symbolizing the painful consequences of sin and divine judgment. The water, mixed with dust from the Tabernacle floor, connects the judgment directly to God's holy presence and His covenant. The physical afflictions—the swelling belly and rotting thigh—are not merely literal but are deeply **symbolic** of the destruction of life and lineage that results from sexual sin and covenant breaking. The phrase "thigh shall rot" is a clear **euphemism** for the reproductive organs, allowing the text to convey a severe and intimate punishment without explicit anatomical detail, yet making its implications for fertility and progeny clear. The entire ritual, culminating in this verse, is an act of **divine judgment** (or ordeal), where God Himself is invoked to reveal hidden truth and administer justice, demonstrating His omniscience and commitment to covenant fidelity. The contrast between the woman's initial state and her cursed state, if guilty, highlights the stark consequences of defilement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 5:27 powerfully underscores several enduring theological truths. It reveals God as the ultimate arbiter of justice, capable of discerning hidden sin and bringing truth to light when human means fail. This passage highlights the profound seriousness with which God views covenant fidelity, particularly within the sacred bond of marriage, which is foundational to societal order and a reflection of God's covenant relationship with His people. The severe physical and social consequences serve as a stark reminder that sin, especially unconfessed and unrepented, carries real and often devastating repercussions. While the specific ritual is part of the Old Covenant law, the underlying principles of God's holiness, His demand for purity, and the reality of divine judgment against unfaithfulness remain constant.

* [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Hebrews 13:4 - Sanctity of Marriage")
* [Proverbs 6:27-29](/proverbs/6-27 "Proverbs 6:27-29 - Consequences of Adultery")
* [Galatians 6:7-8](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7-8 - Sowing and Reaping")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of the "Law of Jealousy" is not practiced under the New Covenant, Numbers 5:27 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is omniscient; nothing is hidden from His sight, and all secret sins are known to Him. This should inspire both a healthy fear of God and a profound commitment to integrity, even in our private lives. The passage also emphasizes the sanctity of marriage as a covenant instituted by God, demanding faithfulness and purity. For those struggling with temptation or the consequences of past sin, this text, while severe, points us to the New Covenant's provision for forgiveness and cleansing. Instead of a physical ordeal to reveal guilt, we have the path of confession and repentance, where the transforming power of Christ's sacrifice offers true liberation from the bitter fruit of sin. It calls us to examine our own hearts for any hidden "defilement" or "trespass" and to seek reconciliation with God and others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the omniscience of God, as demonstrated in this passage, impact your understanding of personal accountability and integrity?**
* **In what ways does this ancient law reinforce the enduring biblical value of marital fidelity and the sacredness of covenant relationships?**
* **Considering the severe consequences described, how does this passage deepen your appreciation for the grace and forgiveness offered through Christ in the New Covenant?**
* **What "bitter water" of unconfessed sin might you be holding onto, and how can you seek God's cleansing and healing today?**

### FAQ
**Was the "Law of Jealousy" a form of trial by ordeal, and was it just?**

Answer: Yes, the "Law of Jealousy" is often categorized as a form of "trial by ordeal," where a person's guilt or innocence is determined by exposure to a dangerous or painful test, with the outcome attributed to divine intervention. Unlike human-administered ordeals common in other ancient cultures, this ritual was uniquely initiated and overseen by the Mosaic Law, making it a divinely sanctioned test. Its justice lay in the belief that God Himself would supernaturally intervene to reveal the truth, especially in cases where human evidence was impossible to obtain. It served as a deterrent to secret sin and provided a mechanism for resolving deep marital suspicion, upholding the sanctity of marriage and family lineage within the community, as outlined in [Numbers 5:11-31](/numbers/5-11 "Numbers 5:11-31 - The Law of Jealousy").

**Why are the physical consequences so severe and specific (swelling belly, rotting thigh)?**

Answer: The severe and specific physical consequences described in [Numbers 5:27](/numbers/5-27 "Numbers 5:27 - The Curse of the Bitter Water") are highly symbolic and directly relate to the nature of the sin. Adultery is a sin against the body, the marital covenant, and the purity of lineage. The "swelling belly" could signify a miscarriage if the woman was pregnant by another man, or a grotesque physical disfigurement that would publicly mark her. The "rotting thigh" is a euphemism for the reproductive organs, and its affliction would likely result in sterility or the inability to bear children. This punishment directly targeted the woman's capacity for progeny, which was paramount in ancient Israelite society, and thus served as a fitting and public judgment for a sin that corrupted the very source of family continuity and purity. It also served as a stark warning to the community about the gravity of such offenses.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 5:27, with its stark portrayal of a curse for unfaithfulness, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in a literal reenactment, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies purity and bore the curse for humanity. While the "bitter water" brought judgment upon the guilty, Christ Himself drank the "cup" of God's wrath and judgment against sin, experiencing ultimate bitterness on the cross (cf. [Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")). He, the sinless Lamb of God, became "a curse for us" (as stated in [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse")), taking upon Himself the full weight of divine judgment so that those who believe in Him might be freed from the curse of the Law and reconciled to God. Unlike the woman whose "thigh shall rot" as a consequence of her defilement, Jesus' body, though broken for us, did not see decay (cf. [Acts 2:27](/acts/2-27 "Acts 2:27 - Peter's Sermon on Pentecost")). Through His perfect sacrifice, He offers spiritual cleansing and forgiveness, transforming our defilement into purity and our curse into blessing, allowing us to enter into a new covenant of grace where faithfulness is cultivated by His Spirit, not enforced by ritualistic ordeal (cf. [Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")).

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

Jeremiah 29:18

And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:

Jeremiah 42:18

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.

Zechariah 8:13

And it shall come to pass, [that] as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, [but] let your hands be strong.

Jeremiah 44:12

And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, [and] fall in the land of Egypt; they shall [even] be consumed by the sword [and] by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine: and they shall be an execration, [and] an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.

Jeremiah 29:22

And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which [are] in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;

Jeremiah 24:9

And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for [their] hurt, [to be] a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.

Deuteronomy 28:37

And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.