Numbers 5:19
And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse:
Original Language Analysis
וְהִשְׁבִּ֨יעַ
shall charge her by an oath
H7650
וְהִשְׁבִּ֨יעַ
shall charge her by an oath
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
1 of 22
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
אֹתָ֜הּ
H853
אֹתָ֜הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכֹּהֵ֗ן
And the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֗ן
And the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
3 of 22
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
7 of 22
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֨א
H3808
לֹ֨א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁכַ֥ב
have lain
H7901
שָׁכַ֥ב
have lain
Strong's:
H7901
Word #:
9 of 22
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
אִישֵׁ֑ךְ
If no man
H376
אִישֵׁ֑ךְ
If no man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 22
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)
אֹתָ֔ךְ
H854
אֹתָ֔ךְ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
12 of 22
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׂטִ֛ית
with thee and if thou hast not gone aside
H7847
שָׂטִ֛ית
with thee and if thou hast not gone aside
Strong's:
H7847
Word #:
14 of 22
to deviate from duty
תַּ֣חַת
H8478
תַּ֣חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
16 of 22
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
אִישֵׁ֑ךְ
If no man
H376
אִישֵׁ֑ךְ
If no man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
17 of 22
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)
הִנָּקִ֕י
be thou free
H5352
הִנָּקִ֕י
be thou free
Strong's:
H5352
Word #:
18 of 22
to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated
מִמֵּ֛י
water
H4325
מִמֵּ֛י
water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
19 of 22
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
הַמָּרִ֥ים
from this bitter
H4751
הַמָּרִ֥ים
from this bitter
Strong's:
H4751
Word #:
20 of 22
bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly
Historical Context
Oaths in ancient Israel were binding and serious, invoking God as witness and judge. Breaking an oath was not merely lying but committing sacrilege. The bitter water's effects would be supernatural—God promised to make it either harmless or curse-bearing based on the woman's actual guilt.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the seriousness of oaths before God inform Christian truth-telling today?
- What does God's willingness to manifest judgment supernaturally teach about His involvement in human affairs?
- In what ways should the inevitability of divine judgment affect our choices when we think no one is watching?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The oath before the Lord establishes the sacred nature of this trial. The priest pronounces a conditional curse—if innocent, no harm; if guilty, the curse will take effect. This demonstrates the principle that God's name must not be taken in vain; oaths before the Lord invoke His direct involvement. The bitter water serves as a visible, testable agent of divine judgment. The Reformed doctrine of God's active providence is evident—He governs even the physical effects of the water according to guilt or innocence.