And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out with the bitter water:
The priest shall write these curses on a scroll, and then he shall wash them off into the bitter water.
The priest is writing down the curses and then dissolving the ink into the water that the woman will drink.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Numbers, which records events during the Israelites' wilderness journey after their exodus from Egypt, this verse is part of a ritual outlined in Mosaic Law for testing a wife's fidelity when she was accused of adultery. The priest would write curses on a scroll and then dissolve them into bitter water that the woman had to drink, serving as a means of divine judgment to reveal guilt or innocence. This practice reflected the ancient Israelite emphasis on maintaining purity in marriage and community, underscoring God's role in upholding justice.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.