Numbers 5:15
Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.
Original Language Analysis
וְהֵבִ֤יא
and he shall bring
H935
וְהֵבִ֤יא
and he shall bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 30
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הָאִ֣ישׁ
Then shall the man
H376
הָאִ֣ישׁ
Then shall the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 30
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכֹּהֵן֒
unto the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵן֒
unto the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
6 of 30
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וְהֵבִ֤יא
and he shall bring
H935
וְהֵבִ֤יא
and he shall bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
7 of 30
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
קָרְבָּנָהּ֙
her offering
H7133
קָרְבָּנָהּ֙
her offering
Strong's:
H7133
Word #:
9 of 30
something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present
עָלֶ֔יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֔יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 30
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עֲשִׂירִ֥ת
for her the tenth
H6224
עֲשִׂירִ֥ת
for her the tenth
Strong's:
H6224
Word #:
11 of 30
tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part
הָֽאֵיפָ֖ה
part of an ephah
H374
הָֽאֵיפָ֖ה
part of an ephah
Strong's:
H374
Word #:
12 of 30
an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 30
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִצֹ֨ק
he shall pour
H3332
יִצֹ֨ק
he shall pour
Strong's:
H3332
Word #:
16 of 30
properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard
עָלָ֜יו
H5921
עָלָ֜יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 30
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שֶׁ֗מֶן
no oil
H8081
שֶׁ֗מֶן
no oil
Strong's:
H8081
Word #:
18 of 30
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 30
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתֵּ֤ן
upon it nor put
H5414
יִתֵּ֤ן
upon it nor put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
20 of 30
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עָלָיו֙
H5921
עָלָיו֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
21 of 30
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְבֹנָ֔ה
frankincense
H3828
לְבֹנָ֔ה
frankincense
Strong's:
H3828
Word #:
22 of 30
frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
23 of 30
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִנְחַ֥ת
an offering
H4503
מִנְחַ֥ת
an offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
24 of 30
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
ה֔וּא
H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
26 of 30
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
מִנְחַ֥ת
an offering
H4503
מִנְחַ֥ת
an offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
27 of 30
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
זִכָּר֖וֹן
of memorial
H2146
זִכָּר֖וֹן
of memorial
Strong's:
H2146
Word #:
28 of 30
a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)
Cross References
Ezekiel 29:16And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth their iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.1 Kings 17:18And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?Leviticus 5:11But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering.
Historical Context
This unusual trial by ordeal appears unique in Scripture, divinely instituted to address accusations of adultery when witnesses were unavailable. Ancient Near Eastern laws (like the Code of Hammurabi) included various trial by ordeal procedures, but Israel's was distinctively God-centered—relying on divine judgment rather than superstitious rituals. The bitter water's supernatural operation demonstrated God's active involvement in revealing truth and executing justice.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this trial procedure demonstrate that God sees all secret sins and will bring them to light?
- What does the absence of oil and frankincense teach about the seriousness of sin before God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The jealousy offering's requirement that it contain no oil or frankincense (unlike other grain offerings) symbolized the bitter nature of the investigation. Oil represented joy and frankincense represented prayer; their absence indicated this was not a celebratory offering but a solemn trial before God. The meal of barley (rather than wheat) suggested humility or even poverty. This offering 'bringing iniquity to remembrance' shows that sin cannot remain hidden but must be brought to light before God, the righteous Judge.