Numbers 5:19

Authorized King James Version

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:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהִשְׁבִּ֨יעַ
H7650
shall charge her by an oath
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
#2
אֹתָ֜הּ
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
הַכֹּהֵ֗ן
H3548
And the priest
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#4
וְאָמַ֤ר
H559
and say
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
הָֽאִשָּׁה֙
H802
unto the woman
a woman
#7
אִם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#8
לֹ֨א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#9
שָׁכַ֥ב
H7901
have lain
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
#10
אִישֵׁ֑ךְ
H376
If no man
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)
#11
אֹתָ֔ךְ
H854
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#12
וְאִם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#13
לֹ֥א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#14
שָׂטִ֛ית
H7847
with thee and if thou hast not gone aside
to deviate from duty
#15
טֻמְאָ֖ה
H2932
to uncleanness
religious impurity
#16
תַּ֣חַת
H8478
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#17
אִישֵׁ֑ךְ
H376
If no man
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)
#18
הִנָּקִ֕י
H5352
be thou free
to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated
#19
מִמֵּ֛י
H4325
water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#20
הַמָּרִ֥ים
H4751
from this bitter
bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly
#21
הַֽמְאָרֲרִ֖ים
H779
that causeth the curse
to execrate
#22
הָאֵֽלֶּה׃
H428
these or those

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on covenant particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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