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Her abdomen will swell and her womb will shrink, and her name will become a curse among her people. <a href="/esv/numbers/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> And when he has made her drink the water, then, if she has defiled herself and has broken faith with her husband, the water that brings the curse shall enter into her and cause bitter pain, and her womb shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away, and the woman shall become a curse among her people. <a href="/bsb/numbers/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When he has made her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel, and she will become accursed among her people. <a href="/kjv/numbers/5.htm">King James Bible</a> And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people. <a href="/nkjv/numbers/5.htm">New King James Version</a> When he has made her drink the water, then it shall be, if she has defiled herself and behaved unfaithfully toward her husband, that the water that brings a curse will enter her and become bitter, and her belly will swell, her thigh will rot, and the woman will become a curse among her people. <a href="/nasb_/numbers/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When he has made her drink the water, then it will come about, if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, that the water which brings a curse will go into her and cause bitterness, and her belly will swell up and her thigh will shrivel, and the woman will become a curse among her people. <a href="/nasb/numbers/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> When he has made her drink the water, then it shall come about, if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, that the water which brings a curse will go into her and cause bitterness, and her abdomen will swell and her thigh will waste away, and the woman will become a curse among her people. <a href="/nasb77/numbers/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> ‘When he has made her drink the water, then it shall come about, if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, that the water which brings a curse shall go into her and cause bitterness, and her abdomen will swell and her thigh will waste away, and the woman will become a curse among her people. <a href="/lsb/numbers/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So he will have her drink the water, and it will be that, if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, that the water which brings curses will go into her to cause bitterness, and her abdomen will swell and her thigh will fall away, and the woman will become a curse among her people. <a href="/amp/numbers/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When he has made her drink the water, then it shall come about, that if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, the curse water will go into her and cause bitterness and cause her abdomen to swell and her thigh to waste away, and the woman will become a curse among her people. <a href="/csb/numbers/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “When he makes her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, the water that brings a curse will enter her to cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, and her womb will shrivel. She will become a curse among her people. <a href="/hcsb/numbers/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When he makes her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, and her thigh will shrivel. She will become a curse among her people. <a href="/asv/numbers/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> And when he hath made her drink the water, then it shall come to pass, if she be defiled, and have committed a trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her and become bitter, and her body shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away: and the woman shall be a curse among her people. <a href="/cev/numbers/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> If the woman has been unfaithful, the water will immediately make her unable to have children, and she will be a curse among her people. <a href="/erv/numbers/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> And when he hath made her drink the water, then it shall come to pass, if she be defiled, and have committed a trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away: and the woman shall be a curse among her people. <a href="/gwt/numbers/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> If she has become unclean by being unfaithful to her husband, the water that can bring the curse will go into her and become bitter. Her stomach will swell, her uterus will drop, and she will become cursed among her people. <a href="/gnt/numbers/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> If she has committed adultery, the water will cause bitter pain; her stomach will swell up and her genital organs will shrink. Her name will become a curse among her people. <a href="/isv/numbers/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> When he has had her drink the water, if she was defiled and had acted unfaithfully toward her husband, then the contaminated water that brings a curse will enter her and infect her, causing her abdomen to swell and her thigh to waste away. Then she is to be a cursed woman among her people. <a href="/msb/numbers/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When he has made her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel, and she will become accursed among her people. <a href="/net/numbers/5.htm">NET Bible</a> When he has made her drink the water, then, if she has defiled herself and behaved unfaithfully toward her husband, the water that brings a curse will enter her to produce bitterness--her abdomen will swell, her thigh will fall away, and the woman will become a curse among her people. <a href="/nheb/numbers/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When he has made her drink the water, then it shall happen, if she is defiled, and has committed a trespass against her husband, that the water that causes the curse will enter into her and become bitter, and her body will swell, and her thigh will fall away: and the woman will be a curse among her people. <a href="/wbt/numbers/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she is defiled, and hath done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall perish: and the woman shall be a curse among her people. <a href="/web/numbers/5.htm">World English Bible</a> When he has made her drink the water, then it shall happen, if she is defiled and has committed a trespass against her husband, that the water that causes the curse will enter into her and become bitter, and her body will swell, and her thigh will fall away; and the woman will be a curse among her people. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/numbers/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> indeed, he has caused her to drink the water, and it has come to pass, if she has been defiled and commits a trespass against her husband, that the waters which cause the curse have gone into her for bitter things, and her belly has swelled, and her thigh has fallen, and the woman has become an execration in the midst of her people. <a href="/ylt/numbers/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> yea, he hath caused her to drink the water, and it hath come to pass, if she hath been defiled, and doth commit a trespass against her husband, that the waters which cause the curse have gone into her for bitter things, and her belly hath swelled, and her thigh hath fallen, and the woman hath become an execration in the midst of her people. <a href="/slt/numbers/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he caused her to drink the water, and it was if she was defiled and she shall cover the transgression against her husband, and the waters causing the curse came into her for contradiction, and her belly came forth, and her thigh fell, and the woman was for a curse in the midst of her people.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/numbers/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when she hath drunk them, if she be defiled, and having despised her husband be guilty of adultery, the malediction shall go through her, and her belly swelling, her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse, and an example to all the people. <a href="/cpdv/numbers/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when she drinks it, if she has been defiled, and, having despised her husband, is guilty of adultery, the curse shall pass through her, and as her belly swells up, her thigh shall decay, and the woman shall become a curse and an example to all the people. <a href="/nabre/numbers/5.htm">New American Bible</a> Once he has had her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, the water that brings a curse will enter into her to her bitter hurt, and her belly will swell and her uterus will fall, so that she will become a curse among her people. <a href="/nrsvce/numbers/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When he has made her drink the water, then, if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, the water that brings the curse shall enter into her and cause bitter pain, and her womb shall discharge, her uterus drop, and the woman shall become an execration among her people.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/numbers/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when he has made her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and has committed iniquity against her husband, the water of testing shall enter into her, and shall try her, and if her belly shall swell and her thighs shall rot, then that woman shall be a curse among her people. <a href="/hpbt/numbers/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And if she has been defiled and she has done evil to her husband, and the testing waters entered into her and they tested her and her belly swelled up and her thigh has rotted, that woman will be for a curse from within her people.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/numbers/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And when he hath made her drink the water, then it shall come to pass, if she be defiled, and have acted unfaithfully against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away; and the woman shall be a curse among her people. <a href="/sep/numbers/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And it shall come to pass, if she be defiled, and have altogether escaped the notice of her husband, then the water of the conviction that brings the curse shall enter into her; and she shall swell in her belly, and her thigh shall rot, and the woman shall be for a curse in the midst of her people. <a href="/parallel/numbers/5-27.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=1701" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/numbers/5.htm">The Adultery Test</a> …26Then the priest is to take a handful of the grain offering as a memorial portion and burn it on the altar; after that he is to have the woman drink the water. 27<a href="/hebrew/8248.htm" title="8248: wə·hiš·qāh (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-3ms:: 3fs) -- Cause to drink water, give to drink. A primitive root; to quaff, i.e. to irrigate or furnish a potion to.">When he has made her drink</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the water,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yə·ṯāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">if</a> <a href="/hebrew/2930.htm" title="2930: niṭ·mə·’āh (V-Nifal-Perf-3fs) -- To be or become unclean. A primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense.">she has defiled herself</a> <a href="/hebrew/4603.htm" title="4603: wat·tim·‘ōl (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. Treacherously.">and been unfaithful</a> <a href="/hebrew/4604.htm" title="4604: ma·‘al (N-ms) -- An unfaithful or treacherous act. From ma'al; treachery, i.e. Sin."></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: bə·’î·šāh (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3fs) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">to her husband,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">then the water</a> <a href="/hebrew/779.htm" title="779: ham·’ā·ră·rîm (Art:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-mp) -- To curse. A primitive root; to execrate.">that brings a curse</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ū·ḇā·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">will enter</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- ">her</a> <a href="/hebrew/4751.htm" title="4751: lə·mā·rîm (Prep-l:: Adj-mp) -- Bitter, bitterness. Or marah; from marar; bitter; also bitterness, or bitterly.">and cause bitter suffering;</a> <a href="/hebrew/990.htm" title="990: ḇiṭ·nāh (N-fsc:: 3fs) -- From an unused root probably meaning to be hollow; the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything.">her belly</a> <a href="/hebrew/6638.htm" title="6638: wə·ṣā·ḇə·ṯāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To swell, swell up. A primitive root; to amass, i.e. Grow turgid; specifically, to array an army against.">will swell,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3409.htm" title="3409: yə·rê·ḵāh (N-fsc:: 3fs) -- From an unused root meaning to be soft; the thigh; by euphem. The generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side.">her thigh</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: wə·nā·p̄ə·lāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">will shrivel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yə·ṯāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">and she will become</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: hā·’iš·šāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman."></a> <a href="/hebrew/423.htm" title="423: lə·’ā·lāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- An oath. From 'alah; an imprecation.">accursed</a> <a href="/hebrew/7130.htm" title="7130: bə·qe·reḇ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Inward part, midst. From qarab; properly, the nearest part, i.e. The center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial.">among</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·māh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">her people.</a> 28But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will be unaffected and able to conceive children.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-15.htm">Deuteronomy 28:15-68</a> If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: / You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. / Your basket and kneading bowl will be cursed. ... <a href="/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10</a> If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death. <a href="/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3-4</a> Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil, / in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a double-edged sword. <a href="/proverbs/6-32.htm">Proverbs 6:32-35</a> He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. / Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away. / For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy in the day of vengeance. ... <a href="/proverbs/7-24.htm">Proverbs 7:24-27</a> Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth. / Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths. / For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number. ... <a href="/jeremiah/8-9.htm">Jeremiah 8:9</a> The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have? <a href="/ezekiel/16-38.htm">Ezekiel 16:38-42</a> And I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and those who shed blood; so I will bring upon you the wrath of your bloodshed and jealousy. / Then I will deliver you into the hands of your lovers, and they will level your mounds and tear down your lofty shrines. They will strip off your clothes, take your fine jewelry, and leave you naked and bare. / They will bring a mob against you, who will stone you and cut you to pieces with their swords. ... <a href="/hosea/4-14.htm">Hosea 4:14</a> I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin. <a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">Matthew 5:27-28</a> You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/matthew/19-9.htm">Matthew 19:9</a> Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” <a href="/mark/7-21.htm">Mark 7:21-23</a> For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.” <a href="/john/8-3.htm">John 8:3-11</a> The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them / and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. / In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?” ... <a href="/romans/1-24.htm">Romans 1:24-27</a> Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. / They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. / For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. ... <a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a> Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-18.htm">1 Corinthians 6:18-20</a> Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. / Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when he has made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causes the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people.if she be defiled<a href="/numbers/5-20.htm">Numbers 5:20</a> But if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee beside thine husband:<a href="/proverbs/5-4.htm">Proverbs 5:4-11</a> But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword… <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26</a> And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.the woman<a href="/deuteronomy/28-37.htm">Deuteronomy 28:37</a> And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.<a href="/psalms/83-9.htm">Psalm 83:9-11</a> Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: … <a href="/isaiah/65-15.htm">Isaiah 65:15</a> And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/40-15.htm">Acted</a> <a href="/numbers/5-22.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/numbers/5-26.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/numbers/5-22.htm">Body</a> <a href="/numbers/5-24.htm">Causes</a> <a href="/numbers/5-24.htm">Causeth</a> <a href="/numbers/5-12.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/numbers/5-24.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/numbers/5-20.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/numbers/5-26.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/numbers/5-24.htm">Enter</a> <a href="/numbers/5-22.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/numbers/5-20.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/numbers/5-22.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/numbers/5-22.htm">Rot</a> <a href="/numbers/5-22.htm">Swell</a> <a href="/numbers/5-22.htm">Thigh</a> <a href="/numbers/5-12.htm">Trespass</a> <a href="/numbers/5-12.htm">Unfaithfully</a> <a href="/numbers/5-26.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/12-11.htm">Acted</a> <a href="/numbers/25-8.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/numbers/5-30.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/numbers/6-6.htm">Body</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-16.htm">Causes</a> <a href="/numbers/11-24.htm">Causeth</a> <a href="/numbers/12-11.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/numbers/22-6.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/numbers/5-28.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/numbers/6-3.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/numbers/8-24.htm">Enter</a> <a href="/numbers/11-9.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/numbers/5-29.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/numbers/16-26.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-7.htm">Rot</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-4.htm">Swell</a> <a href="/numbers/6-20.htm">Thigh</a> <a href="/numbers/6-12.htm">Trespass</a> <a href="/joshua/7-1.htm">Unfaithfully</a> <a href="/numbers/8-7.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 5</div>1. <a href="/numbers/5-1.htm">The unclean are removed out of camp</a> 5. <a href="/numbers/5-5.htm">Restitution is to be made in trespass</a> 11. <a href="/numbers/5-11.htm">The trial of jealously</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/numbers/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/numbers/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When he has made her drink the water This phrase refers to the ritual of the "water of bitterness" or "bitter water" described in <a href="/numbers/5.htm">Numbers 5</a>, a test for a woman suspected of adultery. The priest would prepare this water as part of a ceremonial process. The ritual underscores the seriousness of marital fidelity in ancient Israelite society and the lengths to which the community would go to maintain purity and justice. The water itself, mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor, symbolizes divine judgment.if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband This condition highlights the central issue of the ritual: the potential infidelity of a wife. In the patriarchal context of ancient Israel, marital faithfulness was crucial for family lineage and inheritance. The law provided a means to address suspicions of adultery, reflecting the cultural and legal importance of sexual purity. This also underscores the covenantal nature of marriage, which is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, symbolizing the relationship between God and His people.then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering The "water that brings a curse" is a physical manifestation of divine judgment. If the woman is guilty, the water is believed to cause physical symptoms as a sign of her sin. This reflects the belief in direct divine intervention in human affairs, a common theme in the Old Testament. The concept of a curse is significant in biblical theology, often associated with disobedience to God's commands.her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel These physical symptoms are described as evidence of guilt. The swelling of the belly and the shriveling of the thigh are specific signs that would be visible to the community, serving as a public declaration of the woman's sin. This reflects the communal nature of sin and its consequences in Israelite society, where personal actions had public ramifications.and she will become accursed among her people Being "accursed" signifies a state of being set apart for destruction or divine disfavor. In the context of Israel, this would mean social ostracism and a loss of standing within the community. This phrase emphasizes the severe social and spiritual consequences of sin, reinforcing the importance of holiness and obedience to God's laws. The concept of being accursed is echoed in the New Testament, where Christ becomes a curse for us (<a href="/galatians/3-13.htm">Galatians 3:13</a>), highlighting the redemptive work of Jesus in taking on the curse of sin for humanity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_priest.htm">The Priest</a> The religious leader responsible for administering the test of the bitter water to the woman accused of adultery. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_accused_woman.htm">The Accused Woman</a> A woman suspected of infidelity, who undergoes the ritual to determine her guilt or innocence. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_husband.htm">The Husband</a> The man who suspects his wife of being unfaithful and brings her before the priest. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_tabernacle.htm">The Tabernacle</a> The sacred place where the ritual takes place, symbolizing God's presence and justice. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_bitter_water.htm">The Bitter Water</a> A concoction used in the ritual, believed to reveal the truth about the woman's fidelity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_sin.htm">The Seriousness of Sin</a> The ritual underscores the gravity of sin, particularly adultery, and its impact on individuals and the community. <a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_mercy.htm">God's Justice and Mercy</a> While the passage highlights justice, it also points to the need for mercy and forgiveness, as seen in the broader biblical account. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community.htm">The Role of Community</a> The involvement of the priest and the public nature of the ritual reflect the communal aspect of sin and accountability. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_relationships.htm">Faithfulness in Relationships</a> The passage calls believers to uphold faithfulness in marriage, reflecting God's covenantal faithfulness. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_truth.htm">The Power of Truth</a> The ritual serves as a reminder of the importance of truth and integrity in our relationships and before God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 5</a> <a href="/q/evidence_of_numbers_5_trial_by_ordeal.htm">Is there any historical or archaeological evidence that this trial by ordeal was actually used (Numbers 5)?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_assent_different_from_saving_faith.htm">Does Numbers 5 depict God commanding abortion?</a> <a href="/q/does_numbers_5_show_god_ordering_abortion.htm">Does Numbers 5 depict God commanding abortion?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_nontheism_mean.htm">What is the ritual for suspected adultery in Numbers?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 27. - Shall enter into her, and become bitter. Rather, "as bitter," or "as bitterness," i.e. as producing bitter sufferings. Shall be a curse, i.e., shall be used as an example in the imprecations of the people. <a href="/commentaries/numbers/5-27.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When he has made her drink וְהִשְׁקָ֣הּ (wə·hiš·qāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8248.htm">Strong's 8248: </a> To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to the water, הַמַּ֗יִם (ham·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen if אִֽם־ (’im-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not she has defiled נִטְמְאָה֮ (niṭ·mə·’āh) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2930.htm">Strong's 2930: </a> To be or become unclean herself and been unfaithful וַתִּמְעֹ֣ל (wat·tim·‘ōl) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4603.htm">Strong's 4603: </a> To cover up, to act covertly, treacherously to her husband, בְּאִישָׁהּ֒ (bə·’î·šāh) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person then the water הַמַּ֤יִם (ham·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen that brings a curse הַמְאָֽרֲרִים֙ (ham·’ā·ră·rîm) Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_779.htm">Strong's 779: </a> To execrate will enter וּבָ֨אוּ (ū·ḇā·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go her בָ֜הּ (ḇāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> and cause bitter suffering; לְמָרִ֔ים (lə·mā·rîm) Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4751.htm">Strong's 4751: </a> Bitter, bitterness, bitterly her belly בִטְנָ֔הּ (ḇiṭ·nāh) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_990.htm">Strong's 990: </a> The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything will swell, וְצָבְתָ֣ה (wə·ṣā·ḇə·ṯāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6638.htm">Strong's 6638: </a> To amass, grow turgid, to array an army against her thigh יְרֵכָ֑הּ (yə·rê·ḵāh) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3409.htm">Strong's 3409: </a> Thigh,loin, flank, side will shrivel, וְנָפְלָ֖ה (wə·nā·p̄ə·lāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> To fall, lie and she will become וְהָיְתָ֣ה (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be accursed לְאָלָ֖ה (lə·’ā·lāh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_423.htm">Strong's 423: </a> An imprecation among בְּקֶ֥רֶב (bə·qe·reḇ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7130.htm">Strong's 7130: </a> The nearest part, the center her people. עַמָּֽהּ׃ (‘am·māh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/5-27.htm">Numbers 5:27 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/numbers/5-27.htm">Numbers 5:27 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/numbers/5-27.htm">Numbers 5:27 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/numbers/5-27.htm">Numbers 5:27 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/numbers/5-27.htm">Numbers 5:27 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/5-27.htm">Numbers 5:27 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/5-27.htm">Numbers 5:27 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/5-27.htm">Numbers 5:27 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/5-27.htm">Numbers 5:27 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/numbers/5-27.htm">Numbers 5:27 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/numbers/5-27.htm">OT Law: Numbers 5:27 When he has made her drink (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/5-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 5:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 5:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/5-28.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 5:28"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 5:28" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>