Numbers 5:21–22 contains the potential curse that would befall the woman if she were guilty of adultery. If innocent, then the “bitter water” would have no effect, but if guilty there would be a physical consequence. Then the priest took the grain offering from the woman, burnt it on the altar, and finally made her drink the bitter water. Next, the priest put the scroll into the water until the ink came off into the water (at which point he removed the scroll from the cup). After the wife swore her innocence, her oath was written on a scroll. The priest then put the woman under oath and made her swear under penalty of a curse that she was innocent of adultery. The husband’s “grain offering of jealousy” was given to the priest who put it into the hands of the accused wife. Although Scripture offers no example of this being carried out, we will see a famous passage that may have alluded to such actions.Īccording to Numbers 5, starting at verse 15, the priest was to take an earthenware cup with consecrated water and add dust from the tabernacle floor.
Any physical manifestations she suffered would determine her guilt. The priest then performs a prescribed ritual that would result in a curse from God if the woman was unfaithful while claiming to be innocent before the priest and God. Numbers 5:11–28 addresses a procedure whereby a man who suspects his wife of infidelity can take her to the priest and make a formal accusation.
Background of Numbers 5 or “Ordeal of Bitter Water”Ī man suspecting his wife of infidelity can take her to the priest and make a formal accusation.
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