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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 5:17 Then he is to take some holy water in a clay jar and put some of the dust from the tabernacle floor into the water.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/5-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/04_Num_05_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 5:17 - The Adultery Test" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then he is to take some holy water in a clay jar and put some of the dust from the tabernacle floor into the water." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put <i>it</i> into the water:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel, and take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put <i>it</i> into the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and the priest shall take holy water in an earthenware container; and he shall take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put <i>it</i> in the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and the priest shall take holy water in an earthenware vessel; and he shall take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and the priest shall take holy water in an earthenware vessel; and he shall take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put <i>it</i> into the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and the priest shall take holy water in an earthenware vessel; and the priest shall take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put <i>it</i> into the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and the priest shall take holy water [from the sacred basin] in an earthenware vessel; and he shall take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it in the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the priest is to take holy water in a clay bowl, take some of the dust from the tabernacle floor, and put it in the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the priest is to take holy water in a clay bowl, and take some of the dust from the tabernacle floor and put it in the water. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He will then pour sacred water into a clay jar and stir in some dust from the floor of the sacred tent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then the priest will take holy water in a piece of pottery and put some dust from the floor of the tent into the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He shall pour some holy water into a clay bowl and take some of the earth that is on the floor of the Tent of the LORD's presence and put it in the water to make it bitter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The priest is to put some holy water into an earthen vessel, take some dust from the floor of the tent, and put it into the water. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he is to take some holy water in a clay jar and put some of the dust from the tabernacle floor into the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The priest will then take holy water in a pottery jar, and take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle, and put it into the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and the priest shall take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the priest has taken holy water in an earthen vessel, and the priest takes of the dust which is on the floor of the Dwelling Place, and has put [it] into the water,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the priest hath taken holy water in an earthen vessel, and of the dust which is on the floor of the tabernacle doth the priest take, and hath put it into the water,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the priest took holy waters in a vessel of earthen, and from the dust which shall be upon the bottom of the dwelling, the priest shall take and he gave into the water.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he shall take holy water in an earthen vessel, and he shall cast a little earth of the pavement of the tabernacle into it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he shall take up holy water in an earthen vessel, and he shall cast a little earth from the pavement of the tabernacle into it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In an earthen vessel he shall take holy water, as well as some dust from the floor of the tabernacle and put it in the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel, and take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and some of the dust that is in the base of the altar of the tabernacle the priest shall take and put it into the water;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Priest shall take holy water in a vessel of a potter and the Priest shall take some dust that is in the base of the altar and throw it in the water.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the priest shall take pure running water in an earthen vessel, and he shall take of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle of witness, and the priest having taken it shall cast it into the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/5-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=1594" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/5.htm">The Adultery Test</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>The priest is to bring the wife forward and have her stand before the LORD. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hên (Art:: N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">Then he</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: wə·lā·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">is to take</a> <a href="/hebrew/6918.htm" title="6918: qə·ḏō·šîm (Adj-mp) -- Sacred, holy. Or qadosh; from qadash; sacred; God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary.">some holy</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ma·yim (N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">water</a> <a href="/hebrew/2789.htm" title="2789: ḥā·reś (N-ms) -- Earthenware, earthen vessel, sherd, potsherd. A collateral form mediating between cherec and cheresh; a piece of pottery.">in a clay</a> <a href="/hebrew/3627.htm" title="3627: biḵ·lî- (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- An article, utensil, vessel. From kalah; something prepared, i.e. Any apparatus.">jar</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: yiq·qaḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hên (Art:: N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wə·nā·ṯan (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">and put</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: ū·min- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">some of</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: he·‘ā·p̄ār (Art:: N-ms) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">the dust</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- 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/4908.htm" title="4908: ham·miš·kān (Art:: N-ms) -- Dwelling place, tabernacle. From shakan; a residence; specifically, the Tabernacle.">from the tabernacle</a> <a href="/hebrew/7172.htm" title="7172: bə·qar·qa‘ (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Floor. From qara'; floor, of a building or the sea.">floor</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">into</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·mā·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the water.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>After the priest has the woman stand before the LORD, he is to let down her hair and place in her hands the grain offering of memorial, which is the grain offering for jealousy. The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/22-22.htm">Deuteronomy 22:22</a></span><br />If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-3.htm">John 8:3-11</a></span><br />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?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/5-11.htm">Leviticus 5:11-13</a></span><br />But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, he may bring a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a sin offering. He must not put olive oil or frankincense on it, because it is a sin offering. / He is to bring it to the priest, who shall take a handful from it as a memorial portion and burn it on the altar atop the food offerings to the LORD; it is a sin offering. / In this way the priest will make atonement for him for any of these sins he has committed, and he will be forgiven. The remainder will belong to the priest, like the grain offering.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-32.htm">Matthew 5:32</a></span><br />But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-14.htm">Hosea 4:14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/5-1.htm">1 Corinthians 5:1-2</a></span><br />It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. / And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20</a></span><br />Then he took the calf they had made, burned it in the fire, ground it to powder, and scattered the powder over the face of the water. Then he forced the Israelites to drink it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-2.htm">2 Corinthians 11:2</a></span><br />I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-8.htm">Jeremiah 3:8</a></span><br />She saw that because faithless Israel had committed adultery, I gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away. Yet that unfaithful sister Judah had no fear and prostituted herself as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20-22</a></span><br />But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. / Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling. / Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/18-20.htm">Leviticus 18:20</a></span><br />You must not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife and thus defile yourself with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-32.htm">Proverbs 6:32-35</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a></span><br />The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:</p><p class="hdg">holy water.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/19-2.htm">Numbers 19:2-9</a></b></br> This <i>is</i> the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein <i>is</i> no blemish, <i>and</i> upon which never came yoke: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/30-18.htm">Exodus 30:18</a></b></br> Thou shalt also make a laver <i>of</i> brass, and his foot <i>also of</i> brass, to wash <i>withal</i>: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.</p><p class="hdg">of the dust</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/2-12.htm">Job 2:12</a></b></br> And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/17-13.htm">Jeremiah 17:13</a></b></br> O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, <i>and</i> they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/3-29.htm">Lamentations 3:29</a></b></br> He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/15-12.htm">Clay</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-13.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/leviticus/15-12.htm">Earthen</a> <a href="/leviticus/15-12.htm">Earthenware</a> <a href="/exodus/24-10.htm">Floor</a> <a href="/numbers/5-10.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/numbers/4-46.htm">House</a> <a href="/exodus/16-33.htm">Jar</a> <a href="/leviticus/15-12.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/numbers/5-15.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/numbers/5-3.htm">Tabernacle</a> <a href="/leviticus/16-12.htm">Vessel</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-6.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/7-46.htm">Clay</a> <a href="/numbers/19-9.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-28.htm">Earthen</a> <a href="/psalms/2-9.htm">Earthenware</a> <a href="/numbers/15-20.htm">Floor</a> <a href="/numbers/6-5.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/numbers/7-1.htm">House</a> <a href="/numbers/19-17.htm">Jar</a> <a href="/numbers/11-8.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/numbers/5-18.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/numbers/6-10.htm">Tabernacle</a> <a href="/numbers/16-18.htm">Vessel</a> <a href="/numbers/5-18.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/5-1.htm">The unclean are removed out of camp</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/5-5.htm">Restitution is to be made in trespass</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/5-11.htm">The trial of jealously</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>Then he is to take some holy water in a clay jar</b><br>Holy water in this context refers to water that has been set apart for a sacred purpose, likely drawn from the laver in the tabernacle courtyard. The use of a clay jar is significant, as clay vessels were common in ancient Israel and often used for sacred purposes. Clay, being a humble and earthen material, symbolizes humanity and the fragility of life, reminding us of the creation of man from the dust of the earth (<a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a>). The use of holy water in this ritual underscores the importance of purity and sanctification in the presence of God.<p><b>and put some of the dust from the tabernacle floor into the water.</b><br>The dust from the tabernacle floor holds symbolic meaning, as the tabernacle was the dwelling place of God among His people. The dust represents the holiness and presence of God, as well as the humility and lowliness of humanity. This act of mixing dust with water creates a tangible connection between the divine and the earthly. In the broader biblical narrative, dust often symbolizes mortality and repentance (<a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a>, <a href="/job/42-6.htm">Job 42:6</a>). The inclusion of dust in this ritual may also serve as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, emphasizing the need for faithfulness and purity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/priest.htm">Priest</a></b><br>The priest is the central figure in this ritual, acting as a mediator between God and the people. He performs the ceremony involving holy water and dust.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/tabernacle.htm">Tabernacle</a></b><br>The tabernacle is the dwelling place of God among the Israelites, a sacred space where the ritual takes place. The dust from its floor is used in the ceremony, signifying holiness and divine presence.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/holy_water.htm">Holy Water</a></b><br>This is water set apart for sacred use, symbolizing purification and the presence of God. It is used in the ritual to test the faithfulness of a wife accused of adultery.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/clay_jar.htm">Clay Jar</a></b><br>The clay jar is a common, humble vessel, symbolizing humanity and the earthly nature of the ritual. It holds the holy water mixed with dust.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/dust_from_the_tabernacle_floor.htm">Dust from the Tabernacle Floor</a></b><br>The dust signifies the holiness of the tabernacle and is used to create a tangible connection to God's presence in the ritual.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_purity.htm">Holiness and Purity</a></b><br>The use of holy water and dust from the tabernacle underscores the importance of holiness and purity in our relationship with God. Believers are called to live lives set apart for God's purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_in_rituals.htm">God's Presence in Rituals</a></b><br>The ritual in <a href="/bsb/numbers/5.htm">Numbers 5</a> highlights the significance of God's presence in religious practices. It reminds us that our worship and rituals should be centered on God's holiness and truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/judgment_and_mercy.htm">Judgment and Mercy</a></b><br>While the ritual involves judgment, it also points to the need for mercy and grace. As Christians, we are called to balance justice with compassion, following the example of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_earthly_vessels.htm">Symbolism of Earthly Vessels</a></b><br>The clay jar represents our human frailty and the need for God's strength. We are reminded that God uses ordinary people to accomplish His divine purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_and_accountability.htm">Faithfulness and Accountability</a></b><br>The ritual serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness in relationships and accountability before God. It challenges us to examine our own lives for integrity and truth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_numbers_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Numbers 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_a_double_standard_in_numbers_5.htm">Does Numbers 5 imply a double standard for men and women regarding marital faithfulness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_'bitter_water'_detect_infidelity.htm">How can the “bitter water” of Numbers 5:11–31 scientifically detect infidelity? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_numbers_5_about_an_abortion_ritual.htm">Does Numbers 5 describe a ritual related to abortion?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Holy water.</span> Probably from the laver which stood near the altar (<a href="/exodus/30-18.htm">Exodus 30:18</a>). The expression is nowhere else used. The Septuagint has <span class="greek">ὕδωρ καθαρὸν ζῶν</span>, pure running water. <span class="cmt_word">In an</span> <span class="cmt_word">earthen vessel.</span> Cheap and coarse, like the offering. <span class="cmt_word">Of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle.</span> This is the only place where the floor of the tabernacle is mentioned. As no directions were given concerning it, it was probably the bare earth cleared and stamped. The cedar floor of the temple was overlaid with gold (<a href="/1_kings/6-16.htm">1 Kings 6:16, 30</a>). This use of the dust has been held to signify the fact <p><span class="note_emph">(a)</span> that man was made of dust, and must return to dust (<a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a>); or <p><span class="note_emph">(b)</span> that dust is the serpent's meat, i.e., that shame and disgust are the inevitable fruit of sin (<a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Genesis 3:14</a>; <a href="/isaiah/65-25.htm">Isaiah 65:25</a>). Of these, <p><span class="note_emph">(a)</span> is not appropriate to the matter in question, since mortality is common to all, and . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/5-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then [he]</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכֹּהֵ֛ן</span> <span class="translit">(hak·kō·hên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is to take</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלָקַ֧ח</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lā·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[some] holy</span><br /><span class="heb">קְדֹשִׁ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(qə·ḏō·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6918.htm">Strong's 6918: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sacred, God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">water</span><br /><span class="heb">מַ֥יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in a clay</span><br /><span class="heb">חָ֑רֶשׂ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·reś)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2789.htm">Strong's 2789: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earthenware, earthen vessel, sherd, potsherd</span><br /><br /><span class="word">jar</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּכְלִי־</span> <span class="translit">(biḵ·lî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3627.htm">Strong's 3627: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something prepared, any apparatus</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and put</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָתַ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·ṯan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">some of</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִן־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·min-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the dust</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶֽעָפָ֗ר</span> <span class="translit">(he·‘ā·p̄ār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dust, clay, earth, mud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the tabernacle</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miš·kān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4908.htm">Strong's 4908: </a> </span><span class="str2">A residence, the Tabernacle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">floor</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּקַרְקַ֣ע</span> <span class="translit">(bə·qar·qa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7172.htm">Strong's 7172: </a> </span><span class="str2">Floor, of a, building, the sea</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the water.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמָּֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/5-17.htm">Numbers 5:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/5-17.htm">Numbers 5:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/5-17.htm">Numbers 5:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/5-17.htm">Numbers 5:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/5-17.htm">Numbers 5:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/5-17.htm">Numbers 5:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/5-17.htm">Numbers 5:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/5-17.htm">Numbers 5:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/5-17.htm">Numbers 5:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/5-17.htm">Numbers 5:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/5-17.htm">OT Law: Numbers 5:17 And the priest shall take holy water (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/5-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 5:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 5:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/5-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 5:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 5:18" /></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>