Numbers 5:18
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:
Original Language Analysis
וְהֶֽעֱמִ֨יד
shall set
H5975
וְהֶֽעֱמִ֨יד
shall set
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
1 of 25
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
הַכֹּהֵן֙
And the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵן֙
And the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
2 of 25
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 25
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָה֒
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֒
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּפָרַע֙
and uncover
H6544
וּפָרַע֙
and uncover
Strong's:
H6544
Word #:
7 of 25
to loosen; by implication, to expose, dismiss; figuratively, absolve, begin
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רֹ֣אשׁ
head
H7218
רֹ֣אשׁ
head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
9 of 25
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וְנָתַ֣ן
and put
H5414
וְנָתַ֣ן
and put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
11 of 25
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כַּפֶּ֗יהָ
in her hands
H3709
כַּפֶּ֗יהָ
in her hands
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
13 of 25
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִנְחַ֥ת
offering
H4503
מִנְחַ֥ת
offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
15 of 25
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
הַזִּכָּר֔וֹן
of memorial
H2146
הַזִּכָּר֔וֹן
of memorial
Strong's:
H2146
Word #:
16 of 25
a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)
מִנְחַ֥ת
offering
H4503
מִנְחַ֥ת
offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
17 of 25
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
הִ֑וא
H1931
הִ֑וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
19 of 25
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
וּבְיַ֤ד
shall have in his hand
H3027
וּבְיַ֤ד
shall have in his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
20 of 25
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
הַכֹּהֵן֙
And the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵן֙
And the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
21 of 25
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
יִֽהְי֔וּ
H1961
יִֽהְי֔וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
22 of 25
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
Women in ancient Israel typically covered their heads, especially in public and certainly in sacred contexts. The removal of this covering marked the gravity of the situation and the woman's exposed position before divine judgment. The memorial offering, made of barley meal without oil or frankincense, was austere compared to typical grain offerings.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the removal of customary coverings teach about standing naked before God in judgment?
- How should the inevitability of exposure before God affect our response to accusation?
- In what ways does holding the memorial offering symbolize bearing responsibility for our actions?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The uncovering of the woman's head and the placing of the memorial offering in her hands creates a posture of vulnerability and exposure before God. The uncovered head removes customary coverings that provide dignity and privacy, symbolizing that nothing can be hidden from God's sight. The memorial offering in her hands constantly reminds her that this is a sacred matter, not merely a civil procedure. She must physically hold the evidence of the accusation while standing before the Lord.