Numbers 5:28 - If the woman isn’t defiled, but is clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive offspring.
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What does "Numbers 5:28" mean?
This verse is part of a ritual described in Numbers 5:11-31, often called the "law of jealousy." It outlines a procedure to be followed when a husband suspects his wife of adultery but lacks concrete proof. Here's a breakdown of the verse and its context:
Context of Numbers 5:11-31
The Suspicion: A husband suspects his wife of infidelity but doesn't have witnesses or clear evidence.
The Ritual: The wife is brought before the priest, who prepares a "bitter water" potion. This potion contains dust from the tabernacle floor and a scroll upon which curses are written.
The Oath: The priest makes the woman take an oath proclaiming her innocence.
Drinking the Water: The woman drinks the bitter water.
The Outcome:
If Guilty: The woman's abdomen would swell, and her thigh would waste away (some interpretations suggest infertility or a miscarriage). The curse written on the scroll would come upon her, and she would become an example of a cursed person among her people.
If Innocent (Numbers 5:28): This is the verse in question. If the woman is not defiled (meaning she is innocent of the adultery accusation), then the bitter water would have no ill effect on her. Instead, she would remain "free" (from the suspicion and the curse) and would "conceive offspring."
Meaning of Numbers 5:28
"If the woman isn't defiled, but is clean...": This refers to the woman's innocence. "Defiled" means corrupted, impure, or in this context, guilty of adultery. "Clean" means innocent.
"...then she shall be free...": This means she is acquitted of the accusation and relieved of the suspicion and any negative social repercussions that came with it. Her reputation is restored.
"...and shall conceive offspring.": This is the most debated part of the verse.
Traditional Interpretation: This is often interpreted as a reward for her innocence. If she is innocent, God would bless her with fertility. The implication is that the ordeal would not only prove her innocence but also ensure her ability to have children. In ancient societies, a woman's ability to bear children was of paramount importance for both personal and societal reasons.
Alternative Interpretations: Some scholars argue that this part of the verse simply means that the ordeal would not prevent her from conceiving. It's a statement of fact, not a promise of guaranteed fertility. The water will not hurt her ability to concieve in the future.
A more modern interpretation is that if she is pregnant from the affair, the "swelling of the abdomen" would serve as a visual conformation.
Key Considerations:
Justice and Proof: The ritual highlights the challenges of establishing justice when concrete evidence is lacking. It attempted to provide a way to resolve uncertainty and potentially reveal guilt or innocence through a divine ordeal.
Context of Ancient Israelite Society: Understanding the social context is crucial. A woman's reputation and her ability to have children were central to her worth and status in that society. Accusations of adultery carried severe consequences.
Controversy: This passage is controversial, especially in modern times, because:
Unequal Application: There is no parallel ritual for men suspected of adultery.
Questionable Efficacy: The reliance on a "bitter water" potion and a curse seems unscientific and potentially superstitious.
Potential for Abuse: In a patriarchal society, such a ritual could potentially be used to control women.
In Summary:
Numbers 5:28 states that if a woman undergoing the ritual of jealousy is innocent of adultery, she will be cleared of suspicion and remain fertile. The verse emphasizes the importance of innocence in this ritual and, according to traditional interpretations, suggests a divine blessing of fertility as a reward for her innocence. However, the passage raises ethical and social questions related to gender equality, evidence, and the reliability of the ritual itself.
Numbers 5:28 - If the woman isn’t defiled, but is clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive offspring.
What does "Numbers 5:28" mean?
This verse is part of a ritual described in Numbers 5:11-31, often called the "law of jealousy." It outlines a procedure to be followed when a husband suspects his wife of adultery but lacks concrete proof. Here's a breakdown of the verse and its context:
Context of Numbers 5:11-31
The Suspicion: A husband suspects his wife of infidelity but doesn't have witnesses or clear evidence.
The Ritual: The wife is brought before the priest, who prepares a "bitter water" potion. This potion contains dust from the tabernacle floor and a scroll upon which curses are written.
The Oath: The priest makes the woman take an oath proclaiming her innocence.
Drinking the Water: The woman drinks the bitter water.
The Outcome:
If Guilty: The woman's abdomen would swell, and her thigh would waste away (some interpretations suggest infertility or a miscarriage). The curse written on the scroll would come upon her, and she would become an example of a cursed person among her people.
If Innocent (Numbers 5:28): This is the verse in question. If the woman is not defiled (meaning she is innocent of the adultery accusation), then the bitter water would have no ill effect on her. Instead, she would remain "free" (from the suspicion and the curse) and would "conceive offspring."
Meaning of Numbers 5:28
"If the woman isn't defiled, but is clean...": This refers to the woman's innocence. "Defiled" means corrupted, impure, or in this context, guilty of adultery. "Clean" means innocent.
"...then she shall be free...": This means she is acquitted of the accusation and relieved of the suspicion and any negative social repercussions that came with it. Her reputation is restored.
"...and shall conceive offspring.": This is the most debated part of the verse.
Traditional Interpretation: This is often interpreted as a reward for her innocence. If she is innocent, God would bless her with fertility. The implication is that the ordeal would not only prove her innocence but also ensure her ability to have children. In ancient societies, a woman's ability to bear children was of paramount importance for both personal and societal reasons.
Alternative Interpretations: Some scholars argue that this part of the verse simply means that the ordeal would not prevent her from conceiving. It's a statement of fact, not a promise of guaranteed fertility. The water will not hurt her ability to concieve in the future.
A more modern interpretation is that if she is pregnant from the affair, the "swelling of the abdomen" would serve as a visual conformation.
Key Considerations:
Justice and Proof: The ritual highlights the challenges of establishing justice when concrete evidence is lacking. It attempted to provide a way to resolve uncertainty and potentially reveal guilt or innocence through a divine ordeal.
Context of Ancient Israelite Society: Understanding the social context is crucial. A woman's reputation and her ability to have children were central to her worth and status in that society. Accusations of adultery carried severe consequences.
Controversy: This passage is controversial, especially in modern times, because:
Unequal Application: There is no parallel ritual for men suspected of adultery.
Questionable Efficacy: The reliance on a "bitter water" potion and a curse seems unscientific and potentially superstitious.
Potential for Abuse: In a patriarchal society, such a ritual could potentially be used to control women.
In Summary:
Numbers 5:28 states that if a woman undergoing the ritual of jealousy is innocent of adultery, she will be cleared of suspicion and remain fertile. The verse emphasizes the importance of innocence in this ritual and, according to traditional interpretations, suggests a divine blessing of fertility as a reward for her innocence. However, the passage raises ethical and social questions related to gender equality, evidence, and the reliability of the ritual itself.