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.
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.
This verse describes a priest making a suspected unfaithful wife drink ceremonial water that would supposedly reveal her guilt or innocence.
📚 Historical Context
In the context of ancient Israel, this verse is part of a law in the book of Numbers that outlined a ritual for addressing suspicions of adultery in marriage, where a priest would prepare a special mixture of water, dust from the tabernacle, and written curses. The woman accused was required to drink this " bitter water" to determine her guilt or innocence through divine intervention, reflecting the cultural emphasis on maintaining purity and family honor in a society governed by strict moral and religious codes. This practice underscored the belief that God would supernaturally reveal the truth, serving as a form of justice in the absence of witnesses.
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