Numbers 5:16
And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the LORD:
Original Language Analysis
וְהִקְרִ֥יב
shall bring her near
H7126
וְהִקְרִ֥יב
shall bring her near
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 6
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
אֹתָ֖הּ
H853
אֹתָ֖הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכֹּהֵ֑ן
And the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֑ן
And the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
3 of 6
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וְהֶֽעֱמִדָ֖הּ
and set
H5975
וְהֶֽעֱמִדָ֖הּ
and set
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
4 of 6
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
Historical Context
Bringing someone before the Lord meant standing at the tabernacle entrance, in the courtyard where the bronze altar stood. This was sacred space where God's presence dwelt among His people, making oaths and judgments there particularly solemn and binding.
Questions for Reflection
- What does standing before the Lord in judgment prefigure about the final judgment?
- How should the reality that we all stand before God affect our daily choices?
- In what ways does the priest's mediating role point forward to Christ's greater mediation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The priest brings the woman before the Lord, emphasizing that this is not merely a human legal procedure but a divine judgment. Standing before the Lord means entering God's presence where truth cannot be hidden. The woman is brought by the priest, who serves as mediator, prefiguring Christ who brings us before God's throne. The Reformed understanding of divine judgment is that all will ultimately stand before God's throne where every secret will be revealed.