Numbers 5:21 - then the priest shall cause the woman to swear with the oath of cursing, and the priest shall tell the woman, “Yahweh make you a curse and an oath among your people, when Yahweh allows your thigh to fall away, and your body to swell;
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What does "Numbers 5:21" mean?
This verse is part of a ritual described in Numbers 5:11-31 dealing with suspected adultery. Let's break down the verse in context:
Context: A husband suspects his wife of adultery but has no proof. He brings her to the priest.
"Then the priest shall cause the woman to swear with the oath of cursing...": The priest administers an oath to the woman. This oath calls upon divine judgment if she is guilty.
"...and the priest shall tell the woman, “Yahweh make you a curse and an oath among your people...": This is the core of the curse. If she is guilty, she will become an example of divine punishment, a "curse and an oath" - people will use her fate as a warning and a way to emphasize the seriousness of their own oaths.
"...when Yahweh allows your thigh to fall away, and your body to swell;": This describes the physical consequences that are supposed to happen if the woman is guilty.
"Thigh to fall away": The exact meaning of this phrase is debated. Some interpretations include:
Miscarriage: In biblical Hebrew, "thigh" can be a euphemism for the reproductive organs. "Falling away" could refer to a miscarriage or the inability to conceive in the future.
Wasting away: It could also mean a general physical decline or wasting away of the body.
"Body to swell": This suggests a condition of bloating or edema, which could be associated with certain diseases or complications related to pregnancy.
In summary, the verse describes a conditional curse. If the woman has been unfaithful, the oath calls upon Yahweh to cause her to become a public example of divine punishment through physical afflictions, particularly related to her reproductive system.
It's important to note that this ritual involves:
The water of bitterness: The woman drinks a mixture called "bitter water that brings a curse" (Numbers 5:18). This water is symbolic and believed to have a supernatural effect if she is guilty.
No proof: The ritual is invoked when there is suspicion but no concrete evidence of adultery.
Interpretations and Modern Relevance:
This passage is often seen as problematic and raises many questions:
Fairness: The ritual is only for suspected wives, not husbands. This reflects the patriarchal society of the time, where female infidelity was considered a greater offense.
Magic vs. Divine Justice: Some scholars interpret the ritual as a type of sympathetic magic, where the ingredients and actions are believed to have inherent power. Others see it as a way to invoke divine justice, relying on God's intervention to reveal the truth.
Modern Relevance: This passage is generally not considered relevant or applicable in modern legal or religious contexts. The ritual is specific to the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel and raises ethical concerns about gender inequality and reliance on supernatural means.
It's crucial to approach this verse with historical and cultural awareness, understanding that it reflects a very different worldview and set of social norms than those prevalent today.
Numbers 5:21 - then the priest shall cause the woman to swear with the oath of cursing, and the priest shall tell the woman, “Yahweh make you a curse and an oath among your people, when Yahweh allows your thigh to fall away, and your body to swell;
What does "Numbers 5:21" mean?
This verse is part of a ritual described in Numbers 5:11-31 dealing with suspected adultery. Let's break down the verse in context:
Context: A husband suspects his wife of adultery but has no proof. He brings her to the priest.
"Then the priest shall cause the woman to swear with the oath of cursing...": The priest administers an oath to the woman. This oath calls upon divine judgment if she is guilty.
"...and the priest shall tell the woman, “Yahweh make you a curse and an oath among your people...": This is the core of the curse. If she is guilty, she will become an example of divine punishment, a "curse and an oath" - people will use her fate as a warning and a way to emphasize the seriousness of their own oaths.
"...when Yahweh allows your thigh to fall away, and your body to swell;": This describes the physical consequences that are supposed to happen if the woman is guilty.
"Thigh to fall away": The exact meaning of this phrase is debated. Some interpretations include:
Miscarriage: In biblical Hebrew, "thigh" can be a euphemism for the reproductive organs. "Falling away" could refer to a miscarriage or the inability to conceive in the future.
Wasting away: It could also mean a general physical decline or wasting away of the body.
"Body to swell": This suggests a condition of bloating or edema, which could be associated with certain diseases or complications related to pregnancy.
In summary, the verse describes a conditional curse. If the woman has been unfaithful, the oath calls upon Yahweh to cause her to become a public example of divine punishment through physical afflictions, particularly related to her reproductive system.
It's important to note that this ritual involves:
The water of bitterness: The woman drinks a mixture called "bitter water that brings a curse" (Numbers 5:18). This water is symbolic and believed to have a supernatural effect if she is guilty.
No proof: The ritual is invoked when there is suspicion but no concrete evidence of adultery.
Interpretations and Modern Relevance:
This passage is often seen as problematic and raises many questions:
Fairness: The ritual is only for suspected wives, not husbands. This reflects the patriarchal society of the time, where female infidelity was considered a greater offense.
Magic vs. Divine Justice: Some scholars interpret the ritual as a type of sympathetic magic, where the ingredients and actions are believed to have inherent power. Others see it as a way to invoke divine justice, relying on God's intervention to reveal the truth.
Modern Relevance: This passage is generally not considered relevant or applicable in modern legal or religious contexts. The ritual is specific to the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel and raises ethical concerns about gender inequality and reliance on supernatural means.
It's crucial to approach this verse with historical and cultural awareness, understanding that it reflects a very different worldview and set of social norms than those prevalent today.