Numbers 5:24 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

And 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.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

And he will make the woman drink the bitter water that brings the curse: the cursed water will go into her body and become bitter inside her.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse describes a priest making a suspected unfaithful wife drink ceremonial water that would supposedly reveal her guilt or innocence.

📚 Historical Context

This was part of an ancient Israelite ritual called the 'trial of bitter water' or 'ordeal of jealousy' described in Numbers 5. When a husband suspected his wife of adultery but had no proof, this ceremony was performed at the tabernacle. The ritual involved mixing holy water with dust from the tabernacle floor and having the woman drink it while under oath.

Explore Similar Verses

Numbers 5:18

The priest will have the woman stand before the LORD and uncover her head. He'll place the memorial offering in her hands - this is the jealousy offering. The priest will hold in his hand the bitter water that brings a curse.

Numbers 5:19

The priest will make her swear an oath and say to the woman, 'If no man has slept with you, and if you have not been unfaithful to your husband by being with another man, then this bitter water that brings a curse will not harm you.'

Numbers 5:27

When she drinks the water, if she has been unfaithful and betrayed her husband, then the curse-bringing water will enter her body and become bitter. Her stomach will swell up, her body will waste away, and she will become a warning to her people.

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