Numbers 5:14
And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:
Original Language Analysis
עָבַ֨ר
come
H5674
עָבַ֨ר
come
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
1 of 20
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
עָלָ֧יו
H5921
עָלָ֧יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רֽוּחַ
And the spirit
H7307
רֽוּחַ
And the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
3 of 20
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
וְקִנֵּ֣א
upon him and he be jealous
H7065
וְקִנֵּ֣א
upon him and he be jealous
Strong's:
H7065
Word #:
5 of 20
to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְהִ֣וא
H1931
וְהִ֣וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
8 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
נִטְמָֽאָה׃
and she be defiled
H2930
נִטְמָֽאָה׃
and she be defiled
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
9 of 20
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
אֽוֹ
H176
אֽוֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
10 of 20
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
עָבַ֨ר
come
H5674
עָבַ֨ר
come
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
11 of 20
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
עָלָ֤יו
H5921
עָלָ֤יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רֽוּחַ
And the spirit
H7307
רֽוּחַ
And the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
13 of 20
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
וְקִנֵּ֣א
upon him and he be jealous
H7065
וְקִנֵּ֣א
upon him and he be jealous
Strong's:
H7065
Word #:
15 of 20
to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְהִ֖יא
H1931
וְהִ֖יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
18 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Cross References
Proverbs 6:34For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.Song of Solomon 8:6Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.1 Corinthians 10:22Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?Numbers 5:30Or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he be jealous over his wife, and shall set the woman before the LORD, and the priest shall execute upon her all this law.Zephaniah 3:8Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
Historical Context
Jealousy in the biblical sense includes both legitimate concern for covenant faithfulness and the potential for unfounded suspicion. The law treats both possibilities seriously, providing a means for resolution without granting the husband arbitrary power over his wife.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this law balance the husband's rightful concern for marital faithfulness with protection against false accusation?
- What does God's provision for addressing both real and imagined unfaithfulness teach about His justice?
- In what ways should Christian communities handle accusations of sin that cannot be easily verified?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The spirit of jealousy introduces the subjective element—the husband suspects, whether rightly or wrongly. The law addresses both scenarios: when the wife is actually defiled and when she is innocent but suspected. This demonstrates divine wisdom in legislation that protects both the sanctity of marriage and the dignity of the falsely accused. The procedure that follows will vindicate the innocent and expose the guilty, showing that God's justice is perfect even when human judgment fails.