Numbers 5:13

And a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and [there be] no witness against her, neither she be taken [with the manner];

And a man {H376} lie {H7901} with her carnally {H7902}{H2233}, and it be hid {H5956} from the eyes {H5869} of her husband {H376}, and be kept close {H5641}, and she be defiled {H2930}, and there be no witness {H5707} against her, neither she be taken {H8610} with the manner;

that is, if another man goes to bed with her without her husband's knowledge, so that she becomes impure secretly, and there is no witness against her, and she was not caught in the act;

by sleeping with another man, and it is concealed from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act),

and a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and there be no witness against her, and she be not taken in the act;

Commentary

Context of Numbers 5:13

Numbers 5:13 is part of a unique section in the Law of Moses known as the "Law of Jealousy" or the "Ordeal of the Bitter Water," found in Numbers 5:11-31. This specific verse describes the precise scenario that triggers the ordeal: a husband suspects his wife of adultery, but there is no direct evidence or witnesses to confirm her defilement. This law was given to the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, providing a divine mechanism for resolving disputes of marital fidelity when human justice was insufficient, highlighting God's concern for moral purity and order within the community.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Marital Fidelity: The passage underscores the sanctity of marriage and the seriousness with which God viewed fidelity within the covenant relationship. Adultery was considered a grave sin, breaking the trust between spouses and violating God's law.
  • Lack of Evidence: The core problem addressed by this law is the absence of concrete proof. The verse explicitly states "no witness against her, neither she be taken [with the manner]," meaning she was not caught in the act, making it impossible for human courts to render a verdict based on testimony.
  • Hidden Sin: It highlights the reality of hidden sins and the divine principle that nothing is truly concealed from God. Even when actions are "hid from the eyes of her husband" and "kept close," God's justice can bring truth to light.
  • Divine Intervention: In such ambiguous cases, the Law of Jealousy provided a means for God Himself to intervene and reveal the truth, acting as the ultimate judge where human judgment was impossible.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "and she be defiled" translates the Hebrew word แนญฤmฤ“สพ (ื˜ึธืžึตื), which means to be ritually, morally, or physically unclean or polluted. In this context, it signifies the moral defilement of adultery, which renders the woman impure in the eyes of God and the community. The phrase "neither she be taken [with the manner]" implies not being caught in the very act of transgression, emphasizing the lack of direct, irrefutable evidence that necessitated the divine ordeal.

Significance and Application

While the ritual of the bitter water is specific to the Old Covenant and its judicial system, Numbers 5:13 offers timeless principles:

  • God Sees All: This verse reminds us that God is omniscient; He knows all things, even those hidden from human eyes. Hebrews 4:13 affirms, "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."
  • Importance of Truth and Justice: The passage reflects God's unwavering commitment to truth and justice, even in complex or ambiguous situations. He desires righteousness and integrity within His people.
  • Sanctity of Marriage: The seriousness with which adultery is treated, even when unproven by human means, underscores the sacred nature of the marital covenant. The New Testament similarly upholds the sanctity of marriage, as seen in Hebrews 13:4, which states, "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."
  • Consequences of Sin: Even hidden sin has consequences and is known to God. This serves as a sober reminder for believers to live with integrity, knowing that ultimately, all actions will be brought to light (Luke 8:17).
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 18:20 (7 votes)

    Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her.

  • Leviticus 20:10 (5 votes)

    ยถ 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.

  • Proverbs 30:20 (3 votes)

    Such [is] the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

  • Proverbs 7:18 (3 votes)

    Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

  • Proverbs 7:19 (3 votes)

    For the goodman [is] not at home, he is gone a long journey: