Numbers 5:11-31
Summary for Num 5:11-31: 5:11-31 a This detailed test for adultery, a “trial by ordeal,” is the only such case found in the Old Testament, though trial by ordeal was a common procedure in the ancient Near East. God had a special interest in safeguarding marriage as the foundation of Hebrew society, and the purpose of this ordeal was to promote marital faithfulness. We cannot determine how commonly such ordeals actually occurred. This procedure appealed to God’s own intervention to ensure justice in cases lacking evidence (cp. 1 Cor 5:5 b).Summary for Num 5:14-15: 5:14-15 c The husband presented his case before the priest, and the “ritual law for dealing with suspicion” (5:29 d) took the husband’s jealousy and suspicion to a higher court.
5:17 e The holy water and the dust were sacred because of their association with the sanctuary.
5:21 f when he makes you infertile, causing your womb to shrivel: Literally when he causes your thigh to waste away. “Thigh” is a euphemism for the reproductive organs (cp. Gen 24:2 g; 47:29 h); something would go wrong with her reproductive abilities. The punishment suited the crime as sexual immorality resulted in the inability to have children.
Summary for Num 5:23-24: 5:23-24 i The symbolism of drinking disturbing words is repeated in Ezek 2:8–3:3 j and Rev 10:8-11 k.
Summary for Num 5:29-31: 5:29-31 l As the trial by ordeal is summarized and justified, it is clear that a husband’s questions about his wife’s guilt or innocence did not burden him with any guilt. We might raise the question of a double standard, but it was very common for ancient laws to draw attention to the woman’s failure in the matter of adultery. However, Israel’s legal system provided for the punishment of both parties to an affair (as in Lev 20:10 m; Deut 22:21-22 n).
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