Numbers 5:28

KJV

And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if the woman {H802} be not defiled {H2930}, but be clean {H2889}; then she shall be free {H5352}, and shall conceive {H2232} seed {H2233}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But if the woman is not unclean but clean, then she will be innocent and will have children.

Berean Standard Bible

But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will be unaffected and able to conceive children.

American Standard Version

And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 5:28 stands as the pivotal conclusion to the "Ordeal of Bitter Water," a unique judicial ritual within the Mosaic Law designed to ascertain the truth of an accusation of infidelity against a wife when no human witnesses were present. This verse details the divinely ordained positive outcome for the woman who, through this extraordinary test, is proven innocent: she is publicly vindicated, freed from suspicion, and blessed with the ability to conceive, symbolizing restored honor, purity, and divine favor within the community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 5:28 concludes the intricate legal and ritualistic procedure outlined in [Numbers 5:11-31](/numbers/5 "Numbers 5:11-31 - The Law of Jealousy"), often referred to as the "Law of Jealousy" or "Ordeal of Bitter Water." This passage is situated within a broader section of Numbers (chapters 5-6) that deals with matters of purity, separation, and maintaining the holiness of the Israelite camp. The preceding verses detail the precise steps of the ritual: a husband's suspicion without proof (v. 14), bringing the wife to the priest with a jealousy offering (v. 15), the solemn oath and the preparation of the "bitter water" (v. 18), the pronouncement of the curse for guilt (v. 21-22), and the writing of the curses on a scroll to be washed into the water (v. 23). The ritual culminates in the woman drinking the water (v. 24). Verse 27 describes the physical affliction and barrenness that would befall a guilty woman, setting a stark contrast to the blessing of [Numbers 5:28](/numbers/5-28 "Numbers 5:28 - The Innocent Woman's Vindication"). This entire sequence underscores God's meticulous concern for justice, marital fidelity, and the purity of His covenant people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, as in many patriarchal cultures, a woman's honor and status were deeply intertwined with her marital fidelity and her ability to bear children. Accusations of adultery, even without direct proof, could devastate a woman's reputation, lead to divorce, or even stoning if witnesses were present (cf. [Deuteronomy 22:22-24](/deuteronomy/22 "Deuteronomy 22 - Laws Concerning Sexual Immorality")). However, in cases where there were no witnesses, a husband's suspicion could leave a woman in an unbearable state of public disgrace and uncertainty. The "Ordeal of Bitter Water" provided a divinely sanctioned mechanism to resolve such otherwise unprovable cases, bypassing human fallibility and appealing directly to God's omniscience. It served as a unique form of divine jurisprudence, protecting the innocent from false accusations and ensuring that serious offenses like adultery, which threatened the social and religious fabric of the community, did not go unaddressed. The promise of "conceive seed" was an immense blessing, as barrenness was often perceived as a curse or divine disfavor, while fertility was a sign of God's blessing and the continuation of the family line, echoing the foundational command in [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate to Be Fruitful").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Defiled (Hebrew, _ṭāmē’_):** This word signifies ritual or moral impurity, pollution, or uncleanness. In the context of Numbers 5, it specifically refers to the state of having committed adultery, thereby becoming morally and ritually impure before God and the community. The negative construction "be not defiled" emphasizes the woman's innocence and freedom from this state of spiritual and physical contamination.
* **Clean (Hebrew, _ṭāhôr_):** Opposite of _ṭāmē’_, _ṭāhôr_ denotes ritual purity, ceremonial cleanness, and moral blamelessness. For the woman in this ordeal, being declared "clean" means she is found innocent of the accusation of infidelity, her honor is restored, and she is ceremonially fit to participate fully in the life of the community and before God. This state of purity is divinely affirmed.
* **Conceive seed (Hebrew, _zera‘_):** This phrase directly refers to the ability to become pregnant and bear children. In ancient Israel, fertility was highly valued and often seen as a sign of divine blessing and favor, essential for the continuation of the family line and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. For the innocent woman, this promise was a profound restoration of her status, a public affirmation of her fruitfulness, and a stark contrast to the barrenness promised to the guilty in [Numbers 5:27](/numbers/5-27 "Numbers 5:27 - The Curse for the Guilty Woman").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean;":** This clause sets the condition for the positive outcome. It refers to the divine verdict rendered through the ordeal: if the woman's body shows no signs of the curse (as described in [Numbers 5:27](/numbers/5-27 "Numbers 5:27 - The Curse for the Guilty Woman")) and she is proven innocent of the adultery, she is declared pure and blameless. This declaration is not based on human testimony but on God's direct intervention and revelation of truth.
* **"then she shall be free,":** This signifies her liberation from the accusation, the public suspicion, and the legal process. She is acquitted and released from the cloud of dishonor. Her reputation is restored, and she is fully reintegrated into her marital and community life without blemish. This freedom is a direct result of God's vindication.
* **"and shall conceive seed.":** This is the ultimate blessing and a powerful sign of divine favor. Not only is her innocence affirmed, but she is also granted the ability to bear children, which was highly desired in Israelite society. This promise of fruitfulness signifies a complete restoration of her honor and status, contrasting sharply with the barrenness and physical affliction promised to the guilty. It underscores that God's justice brings not just acquittal but also abundant blessing.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [Numbers 5:28](/numbers/5-28 "Numbers 5:28 - The Innocent Woman's Vindication") employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is paramount, setting the innocent woman's blessed outcome in direct opposition to the cursed fate of the guilty woman described in the preceding verse. This stark dichotomy between "not defiled, but clean" and the promised "conceive seed" versus the "rotten thigh" and "swollen belly" of the guilty powerfully emphasizes the consequences of purity versus impurity. **Symbolism** is also central to the entire ordeal, with the "bitter water" mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor representing a divine oath and a vehicle for God's judgment. The water, though not inherently poisonous, becomes a conduit for supernatural revelation, symbolizing the transparency of truth before God. Furthermore, the ritual itself functions as a form of **Divine Ordeal**, a judicial process where God is the ultimate judge, intervening directly to reveal hidden truth. This highlights God's omnipresence and omniscience, demonstrating that no sin or innocence can remain hidden from Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 5:28 profoundly reveals God's character as a God of perfect justice, who sees all things, even hidden matters, and is committed to truth and the vindication of the innocent. It underscores the sanctity of marriage within the covenant community and God's active involvement in upholding moral purity. The blessing of fruitfulness for the innocent woman highlights God's restorative power and His desire to bless those who walk in integrity. This passage reinforces the principle that God's judgment is not merely punitive but also redemptive, bringing freedom and flourishing to those found blameless before Him. It serves as a powerful reminder that while human justice may fail, divine justice is infallible and ultimately brings forth truth and blessing.

* [Psalm 7:11](/psalms/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God is a Righteous Judge")
* [Proverbs 2:7](/proverbs/2-7 "Proverbs 2:7 - God Stores Up Sound Wisdom for the Upright")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Are Naked and Open Before God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of the bitter water is no longer practiced under the New Covenant, the eternal principles embedded in Numbers 5:28 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This passage serves as a powerful affirmation of God's unwavering commitment to justice and truth. It reminds us that God is omniscient, seeing not only our outward actions but also the hidden intentions and conditions of our hearts. For those who may feel wrongly accused or misunderstood, this text offers deep comfort: God knows the truth, and He ultimately vindicates the innocent. It encourages us to live lives of integrity, knowing that our true character is always laid bare before Him, and that His blessing follows faithfulness. Furthermore, it speaks to the sanctity of covenant relationships, particularly marriage, affirming God's concern for purity and fidelity within those bonds. Our lives, like the woman's, are to be lived in a manner that honors God, trusting that He is the ultimate arbiter of truth and the source of all true blessing and freedom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God as the ultimate judge, revealed in this passage, bring you comfort or challenge in your own life?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, seek to uphold truth and justice in our relationships and communities, even when human evidence is lacking?**
* **What does the blessing of "conceiving seed" symbolize for us today, beyond physical fertility, in terms of spiritual fruitfulness and divine favor?**

### FAQ
**Why was such a unique and seemingly harsh ritual necessary in ancient Israel?**

Answer: The "Ordeal of Bitter Water" was necessary because it addressed a specific legal and social dilemma: a husband's suspicion of adultery without any witnesses or concrete proof. In a society where marital fidelity was paramount and accusations could devastate a woman's life, this ritual provided a divinely ordained mechanism for resolving otherwise unprovable cases. It bypassed human fallibility and appealed directly to God's omniscience, ensuring that justice was served and the innocent were vindicated, while also providing a deterrent for secret sin. It was a unique recourse designed to maintain the sanctity of marriage and the purity of the Israelite community, acknowledging that some matters required divine intervention for resolution, as human courts could not always discern hidden truths (cf. [Deuteronomy 17:8-13](/deuteronomy/17 "Deuteronomy 17 - Laws for Judges and Kings")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 5:28, with its themes of divine judgment, vindication, purity, and blessing, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament ritual provided an external, temporary means of discerning truth and restoring physical fruitfulness, Christ offers a spiritual and eternal reality. He is the ultimate Judge, before whom all things are laid bare, and His judgment is perfectly righteous, discerning the true state of every heart (cf. [John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Son as Judge")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ provides the means for true cleansing and purity, not merely ritualistic, but a profound spiritual purification from the defilement of sin (cf. [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Our Conscience") and [1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Walking in the Light and Cleansing")). For those who are "in Christ," there is no condemnation; they are declared "clean" and righteous before God, not by an ordeal, but by faith in His finished work (cf. [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). Furthermore, the blessing of "conceiving seed" finds its spiritual parallel in the new covenant's promise of spiritual fruitfulness—the fruit of the Spirit within believers (cf. [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")) and the ability to bear fruit for God's kingdom (cf. [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Jesus, the True Vine")). Christ's resurrection is the ultimate vindication, demonstrating His perfect purity and power over sin and death, making Him the source of our eternal freedom and abundant life.

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

Psalms 113:9

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, [and to be] a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

Micah 7:7

¶ Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

Micah 7:10

Then [she that is] mine enemy shall see [it], and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the LORD thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets.

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory;

1 Peter 1:7

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Numbers 5:19

And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness [with another] instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse: