Numbers 5:30
Or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he be jealous over his wife, and shall set the woman before the LORD, and the priest shall execute upon her all this law.
Original Language Analysis
א֣וֹ
H176
א֣וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
1 of 22
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
אִ֗ישׁ
upon him
H376
אִ֗ישׁ
upon him
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 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)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תַּֽעֲבֹ֥ר
cometh
H5674
תַּֽעֲבֹ֥ר
cometh
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
4 of 22
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
עָלָ֛יו
H5921
עָלָ֛יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
ר֥וּחַ
Or when the spirit
H7307
ר֥וּחַ
Or when the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
6 of 22
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
וְקִנֵּ֣א
and he be jealous
H7065
וְקִנֵּ֣א
and he be jealous
Strong's:
H7065
Word #:
8 of 22
to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְהֶֽעֱמִ֤יד
and shall set
H5975
וְהֶֽעֱמִ֤יד
and shall set
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
11 of 22
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 22
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 #:
14 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְעָ֤שָׂה
shall execute
H6213
וְעָ֤שָׂה
shall execute
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
16 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן
and the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן
and the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
18 of 22
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
אֵ֥ת
H853
אֵ֥ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Without this law, a jealous husband might have acted on mere suspicion, divorcing or punishing his wife without evidence. This procedure required him to bring the matter formally before God through the priest, submitting his jealousy to divine verification rather than acting on unverified emotion.
Questions for Reflection
- How should Christians handle suspicions and jealousies in relationships according to biblical principles?
- What does the requirement to bring jealousy before the Lord teach about submitting our emotions to God?
- In what ways does this law protect both the accuser and the accused while still addressing legitimate concerns?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The spirit of jealousy upon the husband initiates the entire procedure. The law recognizes that jealousy—whether justified or not—affects the marriage and requires resolution. The husband's bringing his wife to the priest demonstrates that personal suspicion must be submitted to divine judgment, not handled through private vengeance. This teaches that even our emotions and suspicions should be brought under God's authority and handled according to His prescribed means. The Reformed principle of bringing all of life under God's lordship applies even to our feelings.