Numbers 5:21

Numbers 5:21 is a pivotal verse within the "Ordeal of the Bitter Water," also known as the "Law of Jealousy" (Numbers 5:11-31). This unique ritual was prescribed by God for ancient Israel to address cases where a husband suspected his wife of adultery but had no witnesses to confirm her guilt or innocence. The priest administered this solemn procedure, which involved a divine test, appealing directly to the LORD to reveal the truth. It underscores the high value placed on marital fidelity and the sanctity of the family unit in Old Testament society, and how God provided a means for justice even in private matters.

Key Themes

• Divine Justice and Revelation: The primary theme is God's direct intervention to reveal hidden sin or confirm innocence when human means are insufficient. It highlights God as the ultimate judge of truth, ensuring that justice is served even in the absence of human witnesses.
• Sanctity of Marriage: The severity of the ritual emphasizes the importance of marital faithfulness and the grave consequences of adultery, which was seen as a profound breach of covenant within the community.
• Consequences of Sin: For a guilty woman, the verse describes severe physical afflictions—"thigh to rot" and "belly to swell"—as direct, supernatural consequences of divine judgment. This served as a powerful deterrent and a public sign of guilt.
• The Nature of Oaths and Curses: The woman willingly enters into a self-maledictory oath, agreeing to become a "curse and an oath among thy people" if found guilty, signifying the community's acknowledgment of God's judgment. This highlights the solemnity and binding nature of oaths before God in ancient Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "oath of cursing" translates the Hebrew word alah (אָלָה), which refers to a solemn imprecation or a self-imposed curse, where the one taking the oath invokes divine punishment upon themselves if they swear falsely. The physical symptoms described—"thy thigh to rot" (יָרֵךְ נוֹפֶלֶת, yarekh nofelet) and "thy belly to swell" (בֶּטֶן צָבָה, beten tzavah)—are understood as supernatural manifestations of divine judgment. While interpretations vary, "thigh to rot" is often associated with the reproductive organs, possibly implying a wasting away or infertility, and "belly to swell" could indicate a miscarriage, internal fluid retention, or other severe abdominal affliction. These were not natural diseases but direct, miraculous judgments from God, designed to confirm guilt or innocence in a way that human investigation could not.

Practical Application

While the specific ritual of the bitter water is part of the Old Covenant law and is not practiced today, Numbers 5:21 offers enduring principles relevant to all believers:

• God's Concern for Truth and Justice: It reminds us that God is a God of truth who sees all things, even those hidden from human eyes. This echoes the sentiment found in 1 Corinthians 4:5, where God will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts.
• The Seriousness of Sin, Especially Against Covenants: The verse powerfully illustrates the gravity with which God views unfaithfulness, particularly within the sacred bond of marriage. The New Testament similarly upholds the sanctity of marriage, declaring it honorable among all and warning against defiling the marriage bed.
• Divine Consequences: Though the method of judgment has changed under the New Covenant, the principle that sin has consequences remains. This passage serves as a stark reminder of God's holy character and His ultimate authority to judge. It also highlights the importance of living with integrity and faithfulness, knowing that nothing is truly hidden from God.