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The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/5-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/04_Num_05_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 5:18 - The Adultery Test" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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. 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The priest will stand before her, holding the jar of bitter water that brings a curse to those who are guilty. <a href="/esv/numbers/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD and unbind the hair of the woman’s head and place in her hands the grain offering of remembrance, which is the grain offering of jealousy. And in his hand the priest shall have the water of bitterness that brings the curse. <a href="/bsb/numbers/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/numbers/5.htm">King James Bible</a> And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse: <a href="/nkjv/numbers/5.htm">New King James Version</a> Then the priest shall stand the woman before the LORD, uncover the woman’s head, and put the offering for remembering in her hands, which is the grain offering of jealousy. And the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that brings a curse. <a href="/nasb_/numbers/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The priest shall then have the woman stand before the LORD and let down the hair of the woman’s head, and place the grain offering of reminder in her hands, that is, the grain offering of jealousy; and in the hand of the priest is to be the water of bitterness that brings a curse. <a href="/nasb/numbers/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> The priest shall then have the woman stand before the LORD and let the hair of the woman&#8217s head go loose, and place the grain offering of memorial in her hands, which is the grain offering of jealousy, and in the hand of the priest is to be the water of bitterness that brings a curse. <a href="/nasb77/numbers/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> ‘The priest shall then have the woman stand before the LORD and let the hair of the woman’s head go loose, and place the grain offering of memorial in her hands, which is the grain offering of jealousy, and in the hand of the priest is to be the water of bitterness that brings a curse. <a href="/lsb/numbers/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> The priest shall then have the woman stand before Yahweh and let the hair of the woman’s head go loose, and he shall place the grain offering of remembrance in her hands, which is the grain offering of jealousy; and in the hand of the priest is to be the water of bitterness that brings curses. <a href="/amp/numbers/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The priest shall then have the woman stand before the LORD, and let the hair of the woman’s head hang loose, and put the memorial grain offering in her hands, which is the jealousy offering, and in the hand of the priest is to be the water of bitterness that brings a curse. <a href="/csb/numbers/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> 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 for remembrance, which is the grain offering of jealousy. The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse. <a href="/hcsb/numbers/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> 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 for remembrance, which is the grain offering of jealousy. The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse. <a href="/asv/numbers/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> And the priest shall set the woman before Jehovah, and let the hair of the woman's head go loose, and put the meal-offering of memorial in her hands, which is the meal-offering of jealousy: and the priest shall have in his hand the water of bitterness that causeth the curse. <a href="/erv/numbers/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> and the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and let the hair of the woman's head go loose, and put the meal offering of memorial in her hands, which is the meal offering of jealousy: and the priest shall have in his hand the water of bitterness that causeth the curse: <a href="/gwt/numbers/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The priest will bring the woman into the LORD's presence and loosen her hair. In her hands he will put the offering used for a confession (that is, the grain offering brought because of the husband's jealousy). The priest will hold in his hands the bitter water that can bring a curse. <a href="/gnt/numbers/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then he shall loosen the woman's hair and put the offering of flour in her hands. In his hands the priest shall hold the bowl containing the bitter water that brings a curse. <a href="/isv/numbers/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> The priest is to have the woman stand in the LORD's presence, uncover her head, and put the grain offering as a memorial, a reminder of jealousy, into her hands. The priest is also to have in his hand the contaminated water that carries a curse. <a href="/msb/numbers/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/numbers/5.htm">NET Bible</a> Then the priest will have the woman stand before the LORD, uncover the woman's head, and put the grain offering for remembering in her hands, which is the grain offering of suspicion. The priest will hold in his hand the bitter water that brings a curse. <a href="/nheb/numbers/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and let the hair of the woman's head go loose, and put the meal offering of memorial in her hands, which is the meal offering of jealousy. The priest shall have in his hand the water of bitterness that brings a curse. <a href="/wbt/numbers/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy-offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse: <a href="/web/numbers/5.htm">World English Bible</a> The priest shall set the woman before Yahweh, and let the hair of the woman’s head go loose, and put the meal offering of memorial in her hands, which is the meal offering of jealousy. The priest shall have in his hand the water of bitterness that brings a curse. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/numbers/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and the priest has caused the woman to stand before YHWH, and has uncovered the woman’s head, and has given the present of the memorial into her hands (it [is] a present of jealousy), and the bitter waters which cause the curse are in the hand of the priest. <a href="/ylt/numbers/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and the priest hath caused the woman to stand before Jehovah, and hath uncovered the woman's head, and hath given into her hands the present of the memorial, it is a present of jealousy, and in the hand of the priest are the bitter waters which cause the curse. <a href="/slt/numbers/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the priest made the woman stand before Jehovah, and uncovered the head of the woman, and gave upon her hands the gift of remembrance, this is the gift of jealousy: and in the hand of the priest shall be to him the waters of contradiction, causing the curse.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/numbers/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when the woman shall stand before the Lord, he shall uncover her head, and shall, put on her hands the sacrifice of remembrance, and the oblation of jealousy: and he himself shall hold the most bitter waters, whereon he hath heaped curses with execration. <a href="/cpdv/numbers/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And while the woman stands before the Lord, he shall uncover her head, and he shall place over her hands the sacrifice of recollection and oblation of jealousy. But he shall take hold of the most bitter waters, in which he has gathered curses with loathing. <a href="/nabre/numbers/5.htm">New American Bible</a> Making the woman stand before the LORD, the priest shall uncover her head and place in her hands the grain offering of remembrance, that is, the grain offering of jealousy, while he himself shall hold the water of bitterness that brings a curse. <a href="/nrsvce/numbers/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The priest shall set the woman before the LORD, dishevel the woman’s hair, and place in her hands the grain offering of remembrance, which is the grain offering of jealousy. In his own hand the priest shall have the water of bitterness that brings the curse.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/numbers/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD and shave the woman's head and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering; and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water of testing; <a href="/hpbt/numbers/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the Priest shall stand the woman before LORD JEHOVAH and he shall shave the head of the woman and he shall put the meal offering of remembrance, the meal offering of jealousy in her hands, for bitter testing waters shall be in the hands of the Priest.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/numbers/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and let the hair of the woman's head go loose, and put the meal-offering of memorial in her hands, which is the meal-offering of jealousy; and the priest shall have in his hand the water of bitterness that causeth the curse. <a href="/sep/numbers/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the priest shall cause the woman to stand before the Lord, and shall uncover the head of the woman, and shall put into her hands the sacrifice of memorial, the sacrifice of jealousy; and in the hand of the priest shall be the water of this conviction that brings the curse. <a href="/parallel/numbers/5-18.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=1603" 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> …17Then he is to take some holy water in a clay jar and put some of the dust from the tabernacle floor into the water. 18<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.">After the priest</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/802.htm" title="802: hā·’iš·šāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">has the woman</a> <a href="/hebrew/5975.htm" title="5975: wə·he·‘ĕ·mîḏ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To take one's stand, stand. A primitive root; to stand, in various relations.">stand</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6544.htm" title="6544: ū·p̄ā·ra‘ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to loosen; by implication, to expose, dismiss; figuratively, absolve, begin.">he is to let down</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/802.htm" title="802: hā·’iš·šāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">her</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rōš (N-msc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">hair</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 place</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">in</a> <a href="/hebrew/3709.htm" title="3709: kap·pe·hā (N-fdc:: 3fs) -- Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan. From kaphaph; the hollow hand or palm; figuratively, power.">her hands</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4503.htm" title="4503: min·ḥaṯ (N-fsc) -- From an unused root meaning to apportion, i.e. Bestow; a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering.">the grain offering</a> <a href="/hebrew/2146.htm" title="2146: haz·zik·kā·rō·wn (Art:: N-ms) -- Memorial, remembrance. From zakar; a memento.">of memorial,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">which</a> <a href="/hebrew/4503.htm" title="4503: min·ḥaṯ (N-fsc) -- From an unused root meaning to apportion, i.e. Bestow; a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering.">is the grain offering</a> <a href="/hebrew/7068.htm" title="7068: qə·nā·’ōṯ (N-fp) -- Ardor, zeal, jealousy. From qana'; jealousy or envy.">for jealousy.</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.">The priest</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">is</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: ū·ḇə·yaḏ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">to hold</a> <a href="/hebrew/4751.htm" title="4751: ham·mā·rîm (Art:: Adj-mp) -- Bitter, bitterness. Or marah; from marar; bitter; also bitterness, or bitterly.">the bitter</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mê (N-mpc) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">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> 19And he is to put the woman under oath and say to her, ‘If no other man has slept with you and you have not gone astray and become defiled while under your husband’s authority, may you be immune to this 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> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><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="/deuteronomy/22-22.htm">Deuteronomy 22:22</a> 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. <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="/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="/proverbs/6-32.htm">Proverbs 6:32-33</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. <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="/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="/1_corinthians/7-2.htm">1 Corinthians 7:2</a> But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. <a href="/exodus/20-14.htm">Exodus 20:14</a> You shall not commit adultery. <a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a> Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. <a href="/jeremiah/3-8.htm">Jeremiah 3:8-9</a> 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. / Indifferent to her own infidelity, Israel had defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. <a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Romans 7:2-3</a> For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man. <a href="/ezekiel/16-38.htm">Ezekiel 16:38</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. <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a> 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. <a href="/2_samuel/11-2.htm">2 Samuel 11:2-5</a> One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. / So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” / Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causes the curse:charge her<a href="/matthew/26-63.htm">Matthew 26:63</a> But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.<a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Romans 7:2</a> For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/15-23.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/genesis/49-23.htm">Bitterness</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-12.htm">Causeth</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-11.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-30.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/numbers/4-49.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-25.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/numbers/3-47.htm">Head</a> <a href="/numbers/5-15.htm">Jealousy</a> <a href="/numbers/5-25.htm">Jealousy-Offering</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-14.htm">Loose</a> <a href="/numbers/5-15.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/numbers/5-15.htm">Meal-Offering</a> <a href="/numbers/5-15.htm">Memorial</a> <a href="/numbers/5-15.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/numbers/5-17.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/leviticus/23-37.htm">ring</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Uncover</a> <a href="/numbers/5-17.htm">Water</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-11.htm">Woman's</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/5-19.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/numbers/5-19.htm">Bitterness</a> <a href="/numbers/5-19.htm">Causeth</a> <a href="/numbers/5-19.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/numbers/5-25.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/numbers/6-5.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/numbers/5-25.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/numbers/5-25.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/numbers/6-5.htm">Head</a> <a href="/numbers/5-25.htm">Jealousy</a> <a href="/numbers/5-25.htm">Jealousy-Offering</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-17.htm">Loose</a> <a href="/numbers/5-25.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/numbers/5-25.htm">Meal-Offering</a> <a href="/numbers/5-26.htm">Memorial</a> <a href="/numbers/5-25.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/numbers/5-21.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/numbers/6-12.htm">ring</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-30.htm">Uncover</a> <a href="/numbers/5-19.htm">Water</a> <a href="/numbers/5-25.htm">Woman's</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>After the priest has the woman stand before the LORD This phrase indicates a formal and solemn setting, as standing before the LORD signifies being in the presence of God, often at the entrance of the Tabernacle. This reflects the seriousness of the ritual and the direct appeal to divine judgment. The priest acts as a mediator between the woman and God, highlighting the priestly role in ancient Israelite society.he is to let down her hair Letting down the hair was a sign of mourning or humiliation in ancient Israelite culture. It symbolizes the woman's vulnerability and the gravity of the situation. This act may also signify the uncovering of truth, as the ritual seeks to reveal hidden sin.and place in her hands the grain offering of memorial The grain offering of memorial serves as a reminder of the covenant between God and Israel. It is a tangible representation of the woman's faithfulness or unfaithfulness. Grain offerings were typically associated with thanksgiving and dedication, but here it is used in a context of potential judgment.which is the grain offering for jealousy This specific grain offering is linked to the suspicion of infidelity. It underscores the theme of jealousy, which is a powerful and destructive force. The offering serves as a test to determine the truth of the accusation, reflecting the importance of marital fidelity in the covenant community.The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse The bitter water is a mixture of holy water and dust from the Tabernacle floor, symbolizing the presence and judgment of God. The water's bitterness represents the potential curse that could befall the woman if she is guilty. This ritual underscores the belief in divine justice and the seriousness of breaking covenantal laws. The concept of a curse is prevalent in Deuteronomy and other parts of the Old Testament, where blessings and curses are tied to obedience and disobedience to God's commands.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_priest.htm">The Priest</a> A mediator between God and the people, responsible for performing the ritual described in this passage. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_woman.htm">The Woman</a> The subject of the ritual, accused of infidelity, standing before the LORD for judgment. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a> The divine presence before whom the ritual is conducted, signifying His role as the ultimate judge. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_reminder_offering.htm">The Reminder Offering</a> A grain offering symbolizing the jealousy and the situation at hand, held by the woman. 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_role_of_the_priest.htm">The Role of the Priest</a> The priest acts as a mediator, highlighting the importance of spiritual leadership and guidance in resolving conflicts and seeking truth. <a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_rituals.htm">The Significance of Rituals</a> This passage underscores the role of rituals in the Old Testament as a means of seeking divine judgment and maintaining community purity. <a href="/topical/g/god_as_the_ultimate_judge.htm">God as the Ultimate Judge</a> The ritual emphasizes that God is the ultimate judge of truth and righteousness, reminding believers to seek His wisdom in times of doubt. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_integrity.htm">The Importance of Integrity</a> The passage calls for personal integrity and faithfulness, encouraging believers to live lives that are above reproach. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_symbolism.htm">The Power of Symbolism</a> The use of physical symbols (the offering and the bitter water) in the ritual serves as a reminder of the spiritual realities they represent.<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/what_does_nontheism_mean.htm">What is the ritual for suspected adultery in Numbers?</a> <a href="/q/can_'bitter_water'_detect_infidelity.htm">How can the 'bitter water' of Numbers 5:11-31 scientifically detect infidelity?</a> <a href="/q/why_repeat_vows_for_accidental_defilement.htm">Numbers 6:9-12 -- Why would accidental defilement require repeating the entire vow and new sacrifices, suggesting a severe ritual focus that seems excessive?</a> <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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 18. - Uncover the woman's head. In token that she had forfeited her glory by breaking, or seeming to have broken, her allegiance to her husband (<a href="/1_corinthians/11-5.htm">1 Corinthians 11:5-10</a>); perhaps also with some reference to the truth that "all things are naked and open to the eyes of him" with whom she had to do (<a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a>). Put the offering of memorial in her hands. That she herself might present, as it were, the fruits of her life before God, and challenge investigation of them. Bitter water. It was not literally bitter, but it was so fraught with conviction and judgment as to bring bitter suffering on the guilty. <a href="/commentaries/numbers/5-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>After the priest הַכֹּהֵ֥ן (hak·kō·hên) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest has the woman הָאִשָּׁה֮ (hā·’iš·šāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female stand וְהֶעֱמִ֨יד (wə·he·‘ĕ·mîḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5975.htm">Strong's 5975: </a> To stand, in various relations before לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face the LORD, יְהוָה֒ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel he is to let down וּפָרַע֙ (ū·p̄ā·ra‘) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6544.htm">Strong's 6544: </a> To loosen, to expose, dismiss, absolve, begin her הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה (hā·’iš·šāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female hair רֹ֣אשׁ (rōš) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head and place וְנָתַ֣ן (wə·nā·ṯan) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set in עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against her hands כַּפֶּ֗יהָ (kap·pe·hā) Noun - fdc | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3709.htm">Strong's 3709: </a> Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan the grain offering מִנְחַ֣ת (min·ḥaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4503.htm">Strong's 4503: </a> A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering of memorial, הַזִּכָּר֔וֹן (haz·zik·kā·rō·wn) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2146.htm">Strong's 2146: </a> Memorial, remembrance which הִ֑וא (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is the grain offering מִנְחַ֥ת (min·ḥaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4503.htm">Strong's 4503: </a> A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering for jealousy. קְנָאֹ֖ת (qə·nā·’ōṯ) Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7068.htm">Strong's 7068: </a> Ardor, zeal, jealousy The priest הַכֹּהֵן֙ (hak·kō·hên) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest is יִהְי֔וּ (yih·yū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be to hold וּבְיַ֤ד (ū·ḇə·yaḏ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand the bitter הַמָּרִ֖ים (ham·mā·rîm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4751.htm">Strong's 4751: </a> Bitter, bitterness, bitterly water מֵ֥י (mê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen that brings a curse. הַמְאָֽרֲרִֽים׃ (ham·’ā·ră·rîm) Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_779.htm">Strong's 779: </a> To execrate <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/5-18.htm">Numbers 5:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/numbers/5-18.htm">Numbers 5:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/numbers/5-18.htm">Numbers 5:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/numbers/5-18.htm">Numbers 5:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/numbers/5-18.htm">Numbers 5:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/5-18.htm">Numbers 5:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/5-18.htm">Numbers 5:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/5-18.htm">Numbers 5:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/5-18.htm">Numbers 5:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/numbers/5-18.htm">Numbers 5:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/numbers/5-18.htm">OT Law: Numbers 5:18 The priest shall set the woman before (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/5-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 5:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 5:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/5-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 5:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 5:19" /></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>