Keraia
Numbers 5

Numbers 5:12

The Adultery Test · Numbers 5:11–31
Read Numbers 5

Translations

Modern
“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him
Traditional
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man’s wife go aside, and commit a trespass against him,
Literal
“Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them: A man, a man—when his wife goes astray and she acts unfaithfully against him—an unfaithfulness—
Latin
Loquere ad filios Israël, et dices ad eos: Vir cujus uxor erraverit, maritumque contemnens

Original

Hebrew
English
“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him

Notes

Numbers 5:11–31

This detailed test for adultery, a "trial by ordeal," is the only one in the Old Testament. Yet, trial by ordeal was common in the ancient Near East. God had a special interest in protecting marriage. It was the foundation of Hebrew society.

The ordeal was intended to promote marital faithfulness. We do not know how often such ordeals actually happened. This procedure relied on God to intervene so that justice occurred when evidence was lacking (see 1 Corinthians 5:5).

Numbers 5:1–31

These laws speak about cleanliness, repayment, and staying faithful in marriage.

Numbers 5:1–10:10

These legal matters were meant to protect the purity of the Israelites, their priests, and the tabernacle. Purity here refers to being clean and set apart for worship.

These rules helped the people remember who they were. Israel was a theocracy (a nation ruled directly by God). God was their true king.

Moses served as God’s main spokesman. Through him, God gave laws and instructions to the people.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Adultery Biblical Concept of Law Cleanness and Uncleanness, Regulations Concerning Courts and Trials Criminal Law and Punishment Curse, Cursed Deuteronomy, Book of Family Life and Relations Marriage, Marriage Customs Miscarriage Numbers, Book of Oath Ordeal of Jealousy Water that Brings a Curse, Water of Bitterness, Water of Jealousy

Topics

Adultery: Penalties For Husband: General Scriptures Concerning Jealousy: Law Concerning, when Husband is Jealous for his Wife Self-Incrimination: General Scriptures Concerning Women: when Jealously Charged with Infidelity, Their Guilt or Innocence Was to be Determined by an Ordeal