Read it in contextLaws Concerning Purity and Trespasses in the Camp
Start reading at Numbers 5:1 (Numbers 5:1 to Numbers 5:31).
The verse Numbers 5:11 introduces the specific 'law of jealousies' (Numbers 5:12-31), which is part of a larger section of laws in Numbers 5 concerning the purity and order of the Israelite camp.
5:1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
5:2Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whosoever is defiled by the dead:
5:3Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell.
5:4And the children of Israel did so, and put them out without the camp: as the LORD spake unto Moses, so did the children of Israel.
5:5And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
5:6Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty;
5:7Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.
5:8But if the man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass unto, let the trespass be recompensed unto the LORD, even to the priest; beside the ram of the atonement, whereby an atonement shall be made for him.
5:9And every offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they bring unto the priest, shall be his.
5:10And every man's hallowed things shall be his: whatsoever any man giveth the priest, it shall be his.
5:11And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
5:12Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man's wife go aside, and commit a trespass against him,
5:13And a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and there be no witness against her, neither she be taken with the manner;
5:14And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:
5:15Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.
5:16And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the LORD:
5:17And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:
5:18And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse:
5:19And 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:
5:20But if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee beside thine husband:
5:21Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell;
5:22And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.
5:23And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out with the bitter water:
5:24And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter.
5:25Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the offering before the LORD, and offer it upon the altar:
5:26And the priest shall take an handful of the offering, even the memorial thereof, and burn it upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water.
5:27And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people.
5:28And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.
5:29This is the law of jealousies, when a wife goeth aside to another instead of her husband, and is defiled;
5:30Or 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.
5:31Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity, and this woman shall bear her iniquity.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional author. He is explicitly credited with writing Israel's journeys at the LORD's command. Biblical references: Numbers 33:2. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Numbers 5:1–6:27): The LORD instructs Moses for Israel concerning camp holiness, restitution, specified family cases, Nazirite vows, and the priestly blessing. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel during the wilderness journey, including the generation preparing to enter Canaan, with the record preserved for later Israel. Biblical references: Numbers 1:1; Numbers 26:63; Numbers 36:13. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? Numbers 5:11 introduces the LORD's instructions to Moses regarding the 'law of jealousies,' a specific legal procedure for a husband to follow if he suspects his wife of infidelity. This is part of a broader theme in Numbers 5 concerning the maintenance of purity and order within the camp of Israel.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His holy character and His concern for the purity and integrity of the covenant community, including the sanctity of marriage. He provides a legal framework for addressing serious accusations and maintaining justice among His people.
What is the literary style? The literary style is primarily legal instruction, presented within a narrative history context.
When
When was it written? The book of Numbers was written between approximately 1440 and 1400 B.C.
When does the event take place? The events described in Numbers, including these laws, occurred between approximately 1440 and 1400 B.C.
Where
Where did it happen? The events described in the passage took place in the wilderness, within the camp of the children of Israel.
Where was the author located? Moses, the author, was located in the wilderness and later in the plains of Moab when writing the book.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Laws Concerning Purity and Trespasses in the Camp (Numbers 5:1 to Numbers 5:31).
Start reading at Numbers 5:1. The verse Numbers 5:11 introduces the specific 'law of jealousies' (Numbers 5:12-31), which is part of a larger section of laws in Numbers 5 concerning the purity and order of the Israelite camp.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Numbers 5:11 fits into the broader context of the book of Numbers by continuing to detail the laws and regulations given by God to Moses for the children of Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness. This chapter specifically addresses maintaining the holiness and order of the camp, following earlier instructions on census taking and tribal arrangements. It transitions from general laws of purity and restitution to a specific law concerning marital fidelity and jealousy.
How does it point to Christ? The passage, particularly the broader context of Numbers 5, points to Christ in several ways. The emphasis on purity and the removal of defilement from the camp (Numbers 5:1-4) foreshadows Christ's work in cleansing His people and establishing a holy community. The need for confession and restitution for trespasses (Numbers 5:5-10) points to the ultimate need for atonement for sin, which Christ provides through His perfect sacrifice. The law of jealousies, while specific to ancient Israel, highlights God's concern for covenant faithfulness and the seriousness of sin, particularly against the marriage covenant, which Christ upholds and elevates. Christ is the ultimate judge who discerns truth and brings perfect justice. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Today, believers are called to maintain purity and holiness in their lives and in the church, recognizing that God dwells among His people (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). We are to confess our sins and seek to make restitution where possible, understanding that all sin is ultimately against God (1 John 1:9). The passage also underscores the sanctity of marriage and the importance of faithfulness within it, reflecting Christ's faithfulness to the church. It reminds us of the need for truth and justice in resolving disputes, trusting in God's ultimate discernment.
What Scripture saysThe book states that Moses wrote the record of the journeys at the LORD's command. Numbers 33:2
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition names Moses.
What is debatedSource-critical theories propose later editing.
Time covered by Numbers
About 38 years
Second year after the exodusBeginning · Numbers 1:1
Israel is counted at Sinai
The opening census is dated to the first day of the second month in the second year after leaving Egypt.
Fortieth year after the exodusClosing wilderness period
Israel prepares to enter the land
Aaron’s death is dated to the fortieth year. The closing instructions are given on the plains of Moab before Israel crosses the Jordan.
The dated narrative moves from the second year toward the end of the fortieth year, an interval of roughly 38 years.
View historical notes and sources
This is an approximate span of the narrative, not an exact count of days and not the date when the book was written. Numbers 33:38 dates Aaron’s death; Numbers 36:13 identifies the closing setting. Deuteronomy 1:3 places Moses’ subsequent address in the fortieth year.
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Numbers 5
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The camp is organized around the tabernacle and prepared to depart from Sinai.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The camp is organized around the tabernacle and prepared to depart from Sinai.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Numbers
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition.
Connection to the wholeDeaths and conflicts accompany the approach to Moab. Balaam's oracles are followed by Israel's sin at Peor, keeping blessing and responsibility together.