Numbers 5:31

KJV

Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity, and this woman shall bear her iniquity.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then shall the man {H376} be guiltless {H5352} from iniquity {H5771}, and this {H1931} woman {H802} shall bear {H5375} her iniquity {H5771}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The husband will be clear of guilt, but the wife will bear the consequences of her guilt.'"

Berean Standard Bible

The husband will be free from guilt, but the woman shall bear her iniquity.”

American Standard Version

And the man shall be free from iniquity, and that woman shall bear her iniquity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 5:31 serves as the conclusive verdict of the Ordeal of Bitter Water, a divinely ordained ritual designed to resolve suspicions of marital infidelity in ancient Israel when no human witnesses were present. This verse declares that if the wife is innocent, her husband is absolved of any blame or iniquity related to the accusation, and the ritual itself will have no adverse effect on her. Conversely, if she is guilty, the verse states that she will personally bear the full consequences and punishment for her sin, thereby affirming God's perfect justice in revealing hidden truth and upholding the sanctity of the marital covenant within the community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 5:31 brings to a close the intricate and solemn "Ordeal of the Bitter Water," also known as the "Trial of Jealousy," meticulously detailed in [Numbers 5:11-30](/numbers/5-11-30 "Numbers 5:11-30 - The Ordeal of Bitter Water"). This ritual was a unique legal-theological mechanism within the Mosaic Law, specifically designed for situations where a husband suspected his wife of adultery but lacked concrete evidence or witnesses. The preceding verses outline the precise steps: the woman being brought before the priest, the offering of a jealousy offering, the preparation of the "bitter water" (holy water mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor and the dissolved ink of a written curse), and the solemn adjuration. The entire process culminates in the divine intervention that either vindicates the innocent woman, allowing her to conceive and bear children, or brings physical affliction and public shame upon the guilty, thereby revealing the hidden truth through supernatural means. This final verse provides the definitive, divinely sanctioned outcome of this extraordinary trial, establishing the legal and spiritual consequences for both parties.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, marital fidelity was paramount, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Adultery was a grave offense, not only against the spouse but against the community and, fundamentally, against God's covenant. It carried severe social stigma and could disrupt lineage and inheritance, which were crucial for family identity and land tenure. The absence of modern forensic methods meant that cases of suspected infidelity without witnesses presented a significant challenge to justice. The Ordeal of Bitter Water provided a divine solution to this dilemma, serving as a recourse to God's omniscience and justice when human evidence was insufficient. It underscored the belief that God was actively involved in the moral fabric of His people and would supernaturally intervene to expose hidden sin or vindicate the falsely accused. This unique legal provision highlights the high value placed on purity and truth within the Israelite community, as well as God's commitment to upholding justice in all circumstances, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God's Perfect Justice").
* **Key Themes:** The central themes illuminated by Numbers 5:31 and the broader context of [Numbers 5](/numbers/5 "Numbers 5 - Laws of Purity and Jealousy") include divine justice, the sanctity of the marriage covenant, and the inescapable consequences of sin. The passage vividly portrays God as the ultimate Judge, capable of discerning hidden truths and administering perfect justice where human means fall short. It reinforces the profound importance of marital fidelity within the covenant community, viewing adultery not merely as a private transgression but as a violation with public and spiritual ramifications. Furthermore, the concept of "bearing iniquity" underscores the biblical principle of personal accountability for sin, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament, such as in [Leviticus 26:41](/leviticus/26-41 "Leviticus 26:41 - Bearing Iniquity"). This ritual serves as a stark reminder that sin, especially hidden sin, does not go unaddressed by a holy God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Guiltless (Hebrew, _nâqâh'_):** From H5352, this primitive root signifies "to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e. extirpated; acquit... be blameless, cleanse, (be) clear(-ing), cut off, be desolate, be free, be (hold) guiltless, be (hold) innocent, ... be quit, be (leave) unpunished." In Numbers 5:31, it denotes the husband's complete vindication and freedom from blame or suspicion regarding the accusation he brought, confirmed by divine judgment.
* **Bear (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** From H5375, this primitive root means "to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, ... bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable, lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, swear, take (away, up), utterly, wear, yield." In this context, it specifically means to carry or endure the burden and consequences of one's sin.
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** From H5771, this noun signifies "perversity, i.e. (moral) evil; fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin." It encompasses not only the sin itself but also its guilt and the punishment due for it. When the woman is said to "bear her iniquity," it means she will personally suffer the full, divinely ordained repercussions of her transgression.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity":** This clause declares the husband's complete exoneration if his wife is found innocent by the Ordeal of Bitter Water. It means he is cleared of any accusation, suspicion, or blame that might have arisen from his jealousy or the subsequent ritual. His conscience is clear, and his standing in the community is restored, as the divine verdict has confirmed his blamelessness in the matter. This outcome ensures that the husband is not left with lingering doubt or the stigma of having falsely accused his wife, providing a definitive resolution to the domestic crisis.
* **"and this woman shall bear her iniquity":** This clause pronounces the severe consequence for the woman if the Ordeal of Bitter Water reveals her guilt. "Bearing her iniquity" signifies that she will personally suffer the divinely ordained physical and social repercussions of her sin, as described in [Numbers 5:27](/numbers/5-27 "Numbers 5:27 - Consequences of Guilt"). This includes physical ailments (e.g., a swollen belly, decaying thigh) and the inability to bear children, which was a profound curse in ancient Israel. More broadly, it implies public shame, loss of honor, and alienation from the community, underscoring the gravity of covenant-breaking and the principle that sin has direct and inescapable consequences for the individual who commits it.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 5:31 effectively employs **Contrast** to highlight the two possible outcomes of the ordeal: the man's vindication versus the woman's condemnation. This stark juxtaposition ("guiltless from iniquity" vs. "bear her iniquity") emphasizes the binary nature of the divine judgment—either innocent or guilty, with no middle ground. The verse also utilizes **Legal Language**, mirroring the formal declaration of a court verdict, which underscores the seriousness and divine authority of the ritual. Furthermore, the entire Ordeal of Bitter Water, culminating in this verse, functions as a powerful **Symbolism** of God's omniscience and His commitment to justice. It symbolizes God's ability to penetrate hidden secrets and expose truth where human means fail, reinforcing the theological principle that "nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight" ([Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - God's Omniscience")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 5:31 powerfully articulates foundational theological principles: God's absolute justice, His omniscience, and the inescapable consequences of sin. The Ordeal of Bitter Water, concluded by this verse, demonstrates God's active involvement in the moral order of His people, providing a divine mechanism for truth to emerge when human evidence is lacking. It underscores the sanctity of the marriage covenant within the community and the divine abhorrence of infidelity. The concept of "bearing iniquity" is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing personal accountability before God for one's transgressions, a principle that transcends the specific ritual and speaks to the universal reality of sin and its repercussions.

* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Reaping What You Sow")
* [Psalm 7:11](/psalms/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God as a Righteous Judge")
* [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Hebrews 13:4 - Honor Marriage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of the Ordeal of Bitter Water is part of the ceremonial law of ancient Israel and not practiced today, the enduring principles embedded in Numbers 5:31 remain profoundly relevant for believers. This passage serves as a potent reminder that God is the ultimate Judge, whose perfect justice will ultimately prevail, even when truth is obscured or hidden from human sight. It calls us to live with integrity, knowing that our actions, whether public or private, are always known to God and carry spiritual consequences. The concept of "bearing one's iniquity" should foster a deep sense of personal accountability for our choices and a healthy fear of the Lord, prompting us to confess our sins and seek His forgiveness rather than attempting to conceal them. Moreover, the emphasis on the sanctity of marriage in this ancient text reinforces the timeless biblical call to honor the marriage covenant, pursue faithfulness, and uphold purity in all relationships, reflecting God's own covenant faithfulness to His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God revealing hidden truth in Numbers 5:31 encourage or challenge your understanding of divine justice in a world where injustice often seems to prevail?**
* **In what ways does the principle of "bearing one's iniquity" apply to your life today, even without the specific ritual of the bitter water?**
* **How does the emphasis on marital fidelity in this ancient text inform your view of the importance of covenant faithfulness in all areas of your life, including your relationship with God?**

### FAQ
**Why was the Ordeal of Bitter Water necessary, and what does it teach us about God's character?**

Answer: The Ordeal of Bitter Water was necessary in ancient Israel because there were no human forensic methods to prove or disprove adultery when there were no witnesses. It provided a divinely ordained mechanism for resolving such cases, protecting the innocent from false accusation and ensuring that the guilty faced consequences. This ritual teaches us several things about God's character: He is a God of perfect justice who sees all things, even hidden sins ([Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - God's Omniscience")). He is committed to upholding the sanctity of covenants, especially marriage, which reflects His own covenant faithfulness. Furthermore, it shows His compassion in providing a means for the innocent to be vindicated, preventing ongoing suspicion and strife within families and the community. It underscores that God is actively involved in the moral order of His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 5:31, with its stark declaration of "guiltless from iniquity" for the innocent and "bear her iniquity" for the guilty, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The concept of bearing iniquity, a heavy burden of sin and its consequences, points directly to Christ, who, though sinless, willingly became our substitute. The prophet Isaiah foretold that "the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" ([Isaiah 53:6](/isaiah/53-6 "Isaiah 53:6 - Christ Bearing Our Sins")), and Peter confirms that "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross" ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")). Through His sacrificial death, Jesus bore the full weight of humanity's sin and its divine judgment, allowing those who believe in Him to be declared "guiltless from iniquity." We are justified by faith, not by our own works or rituals, because Christ has already borne our punishment ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Justification by Faith")). Thus, the man declared "guiltless" in Numbers 5:31 foreshadows the believer's complete acquittal in Christ, while the woman who "bears her iniquity" highlights the dire consequences of sin that Christ absorbed on our behalf, offering us freedom from that burden. This demonstrates God's perfect justice and His boundless mercy, fulfilled in the ultimate Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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 20:10

¶ And the man that committeth adultery with [another] man's wife, [even he] that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

Romans 2:8

But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Romans 2:9

Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

Numbers 9:13

But the man that [is] clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.

Psalms 37:6

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

Leviticus 20:17

And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it [is] a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.

Leviticus 20:20

And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.