Numbers 5:31 - The man shall be free from iniquity, and that woman shall bear her iniquity.’”
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What does "Numbers 5:31" mean?
Numbers 5:31 is part of a larger passage (Numbers 5:11-31) detailing a ritual to be performed when a husband suspects his wife of adultery but lacks proof. The verse in question, Numbers 5:31, specifically says:
> "Then the man shall be free from iniquity, and that woman shall bear her iniquity.” (ESV)
To understand this verse, it's crucial to look at the entire ritual described in the passage:
The Accusation: A husband, consumed by jealousy and suspicion, brings his wife to the priest.
The Offering: The priest offers a grain offering without oil or frankincense (ordinarily present), symbolizing the lack of joy and celebration.
The Bitter Water: The priest prepares "holy water" mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor and a curse written on a scroll. He then dissolves the ink from the scroll into the water, creating "the water that brings a curse."
The Oath: The priest makes the woman take an oath swearing her innocence.
The Drink: The woman drinks the bitter water.
The Outcome:
If Innocent: Nothing happens. The woman remains healthy and is able to conceive if previously infertile. The husband is cleared of any wrongdoing related to his suspicion.
If Guilty: The text says, "her stomach shall swell and her thigh shall waste away, and the woman shall become a curse among her people." (Numbers 5:27).
Interpretation of Numbers 5:31:
"The man shall be free from iniquity": If the woman is guilty, the man is exonerated from any guilt associated with his suspicion and jealousy. He has followed the prescribed legal process for dealing with his concerns. He has done his due diligence and is not held liable for his suspicion. More broadly, if the woman is innocent, the man is not considered to be in the wrong for having followed the legal procedures available to him. He acted according to the law.
"That woman shall bear her iniquity": If the woman is guilty, she will suffer the consequences of her adultery. The "bitter water" is believed to act as a divine judgment, causing physical ailments indicative of her guilt. "Bearing her iniquity" means she will suffer the punishment for her sin.
Important Considerations:
Historical Context: It is crucial to understand that this passage reflects the social and legal norms of ancient Israel. The ritual is deeply embedded in a patriarchal society where a woman's fidelity was considered essential for maintaining lineage and property rights.
Unequal Treatment: This ritual is inherently unequal, as there is no similar process for a wife to accuse her husband of adultery. It reflects a double standard common in many ancient societies.
Controversial Passage: Modern readers often find this passage disturbing due to its gender inequality, reliance on a magical or divinely empowered potion, and the potential for abuse.
Symbolic Interpretation: Some scholars suggest that the entire ritual is symbolic. The "bitter water" and the physical effects might represent the emotional and social consequences of adultery, rather than a literal divine intervention. The ritual could be seen as a form of psychological pressure, intended to reveal guilt or affirm innocence through the woman's emotional response.
In summary, Numbers 5:31 indicates that if the "bitter water" ritual reveals the woman's guilt, she will suffer the consequences of her adultery, and the husband will be cleared of any wrongdoing related to his suspicion. The verse must be interpreted within its historical and cultural context, acknowledging its inherent inequalities and the potential for symbolic interpretations.
Numbers 5:31 - The man shall be free from iniquity, and that woman shall bear her iniquity.’”
What does "Numbers 5:31" mean?
Numbers 5:31 is part of a larger passage (Numbers 5:11-31) detailing a ritual to be performed when a husband suspects his wife of adultery but lacks proof. The verse in question, Numbers 5:31, specifically says:
> "Then the man shall be free from iniquity, and that woman shall bear her iniquity.” (ESV)
To understand this verse, it's crucial to look at the entire ritual described in the passage:
The Accusation: A husband, consumed by jealousy and suspicion, brings his wife to the priest.
The Offering: The priest offers a grain offering without oil or frankincense (ordinarily present), symbolizing the lack of joy and celebration.
The Bitter Water: The priest prepares "holy water" mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor and a curse written on a scroll. He then dissolves the ink from the scroll into the water, creating "the water that brings a curse."
The Oath: The priest makes the woman take an oath swearing her innocence.
The Drink: The woman drinks the bitter water.
The Outcome:
If Innocent: Nothing happens. The woman remains healthy and is able to conceive if previously infertile. The husband is cleared of any wrongdoing related to his suspicion.
If Guilty: The text says, "her stomach shall swell and her thigh shall waste away, and the woman shall become a curse among her people." (Numbers 5:27).
Interpretation of Numbers 5:31:
"The man shall be free from iniquity": If the woman is guilty, the man is exonerated from any guilt associated with his suspicion and jealousy. He has followed the prescribed legal process for dealing with his concerns. He has done his due diligence and is not held liable for his suspicion. More broadly, if the woman is innocent, the man is not considered to be in the wrong for having followed the legal procedures available to him. He acted according to the law.
"That woman shall bear her iniquity": If the woman is guilty, she will suffer the consequences of her adultery. The "bitter water" is believed to act as a divine judgment, causing physical ailments indicative of her guilt. "Bearing her iniquity" means she will suffer the punishment for her sin.
Important Considerations:
Historical Context: It is crucial to understand that this passage reflects the social and legal norms of ancient Israel. The ritual is deeply embedded in a patriarchal society where a woman's fidelity was considered essential for maintaining lineage and property rights.
Unequal Treatment: This ritual is inherently unequal, as there is no similar process for a wife to accuse her husband of adultery. It reflects a double standard common in many ancient societies.
Controversial Passage: Modern readers often find this passage disturbing due to its gender inequality, reliance on a magical or divinely empowered potion, and the potential for abuse.
Symbolic Interpretation: Some scholars suggest that the entire ritual is symbolic. The "bitter water" and the physical effects might represent the emotional and social consequences of adultery, rather than a literal divine intervention. The ritual could be seen as a form of psychological pressure, intended to reveal guilt or affirm innocence through the woman's emotional response.
In summary, Numbers 5:31 indicates that if the "bitter water" ritual reveals the woman's guilt, she will suffer the consequences of her adultery, and the husband will be cleared of any wrongdoing related to his suspicion. The verse must be interpreted within its historical and cultural context, acknowledging its inherent inequalities and the potential for symbolic interpretations.