Numbers 5:19 - The priest shall cause her to swear, and shall tell the woman, “If no man has lain with you, and if you haven’t gone aside to uncleanness, being under your husband, be free from this water of bitterness that brings a curse.
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What does "Numbers 5:19" mean?
This verse is part of a ritual described in Numbers 5:11-31 to determine the guilt or innocence of a woman accused of adultery by her husband when there's no direct evidence. Let's break down the verse:
"The priest shall cause her to swear..." This means the woman is being placed under oath. She's being made to promise that she's telling the truth under the potential consequences of divine punishment.
"...and shall tell the woman, 'If no man has lain with you, and if you haven’t gone aside to uncleanness, being under your husband...'" This lays out the condition for her innocence. It's essentially asking: "If you have been faithful to your husband and haven't had sexual relations with another man..." The phrase "gone aside to uncleanness" is a euphemism for adultery. "Being under your husband" emphasizes the marital covenant and her obligation to fidelity.
"...be free from this water of bitterness that brings a curse.'" This explains the consequence of innocence. If she's truthful, the "water of bitterness that brings a curse" (a concoction of holy water and dust from the tabernacle floor) will have no effect on her. She will remain healthy and fertile.
In summary, the verse is a conditional statement spoken by the priest during a ritual designed to determine a woman's guilt or innocence of adultery. It states that if the woman is innocent, she will be unharmed by the "water of bitterness."
Important Considerations:
Historical Context: It's crucial to understand this passage within its ancient Israelite cultural and legal context. Women had limited rights and were often vulnerable to accusations. This ritual was intended to provide a means to resolve accusations of adultery when direct evidence was lacking.
Presumption of Innocence: The ritual could also be interpreted as providing a woman with a way to prove her innocence when she had been falsely accused.
Unequal Power Dynamic: It's important to acknowledge the power imbalance inherent in this ritual. The woman is subject to an oath and potentially harmful consequences, while the husband initiates the process.
Interpretation and Modern Relevance: Many modern biblical scholars debate the ethical implications of this ritual and its relevance to contemporary life. Some see it as a reflection of patriarchal societal structures and unequal treatment of women, while others focus on its role in maintaining social order and justice within its historical context. It's generally understood that this ritual is not to be practiced literally today.
Numbers 5:19 - The priest shall cause her to swear, and shall tell the woman, “If no man has lain with you, and if you haven’t gone aside to uncleanness, being under your husband, be free from this water of bitterness that brings a curse.
What does "Numbers 5:19" mean?
This verse is part of a ritual described in Numbers 5:11-31 to determine the guilt or innocence of a woman accused of adultery by her husband when there's no direct evidence. Let's break down the verse:
"The priest shall cause her to swear..." This means the woman is being placed under oath. She's being made to promise that she's telling the truth under the potential consequences of divine punishment.
"...and shall tell the woman, 'If no man has lain with you, and if you haven’t gone aside to uncleanness, being under your husband...'" This lays out the condition for her innocence. It's essentially asking: "If you have been faithful to your husband and haven't had sexual relations with another man..." The phrase "gone aside to uncleanness" is a euphemism for adultery. "Being under your husband" emphasizes the marital covenant and her obligation to fidelity.
"...be free from this water of bitterness that brings a curse.'" This explains the consequence of innocence. If she's truthful, the "water of bitterness that brings a curse" (a concoction of holy water and dust from the tabernacle floor) will have no effect on her. She will remain healthy and fertile.
In summary, the verse is a conditional statement spoken by the priest during a ritual designed to determine a woman's guilt or innocence of adultery. It states that if the woman is innocent, she will be unharmed by the "water of bitterness."
Important Considerations:
Historical Context: It's crucial to understand this passage within its ancient Israelite cultural and legal context. Women had limited rights and were often vulnerable to accusations. This ritual was intended to provide a means to resolve accusations of adultery when direct evidence was lacking.
Presumption of Innocence: The ritual could also be interpreted as providing a woman with a way to prove her innocence when she had been falsely accused.
Unequal Power Dynamic: It's important to acknowledge the power imbalance inherent in this ritual. The woman is subject to an oath and potentially harmful consequences, while the husband initiates the process.
Interpretation and Modern Relevance: Many modern biblical scholars debate the ethical implications of this ritual and its relevance to contemporary life. Some see it as a reflection of patriarchal societal structures and unequal treatment of women, while others focus on its role in maintaining social order and justice within its historical context. It's generally understood that this ritual is not to be practiced literally today.