Numbers 5:17

Numbers 5:17 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Then he is to take some holy water in a clay jar and put some of the dust from the tabernacle floor into the water.

King James Version KJV

And 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:

American Standard Version ASV

and the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And the priest will take holy water in a pot and put in it dust from the floor of the House;

Free Bible Version FBV

Then he shall fill a clay jar with holy water in a clay jar and sprinkle on it some dust from the floor of the Tabernacle.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then the Priest shall take the holy water in an earthen vessel, and of the dust that is in the floore of the Tabernacle, euen the Priest shall take it and put it into the water.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and the priest hath taken holy water in an earthen vessel, and of the dust which is on the floor of the tabernacle doth the priest take, and hath put [it] into the water,

World English Bible WEB

The priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and the priest shall take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And he shall take holy water in an earthen vessel, and he shall cast a little earth of the pavement of the tabernacle into it.

Translation for Translators T4T

He must put some sacred water in a clay jar, and then he must put some dirt from the floor of the Sacred Tent into the water.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 5:17

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Numbers 5:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/לָקַ֧ח הַ/כֹּהֵ֛ן מַ֥יִם קְדֹשִׁ֖ים בִּ/כְלִי חָ֑רֶשׂ וּ/מִן הֶֽ/עָפָ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִהְיֶה֙ בְּ/קַרְקַ֣ע הַ/מִּשְׁכָּ֔ן יִקַּ֥ח הַ/כֹּהֵ֖ן וְ/נָתַ֥ן אֶל הַ/מָּֽיִם

וְ/לָקַ֧ח lâqach H3947 to take Conj | V-Qal-3ms

הַ/כֹּהֵ֛ן kôhên H3548 priest Art | N-ms

מַ֥יִם mayim H4325 Water (Gate) N-mp

קְדֹשִׁ֖ים qâdôwsh H6918 holy Adj

בִּ/כְלִי kᵉlîy H3627 article/utensil Prep | N-ms

חָ֑רֶשׂ cheres H2789 earthenware N-ms

וּ/מִן min H4480 from Conj | Prep

הֶֽ/עָפָ֗ר ʻâphâr H6083 dust Art | N-ms

אֲשֶׁ֤ר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

יִהְיֶה֙ hâyâh H1961 to be V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

בְּ/קַרְקַ֣ע qarqaʻ H7172 floor Prep | N-ms

הַ/מִּשְׁכָּ֔ן mishkân H4908 tabernacle Art | N-ms

יִקַּ֥ח lâqach H3947 to take V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

הַ/כֹּהֵ֖ן kôhên H3548 priest Art | N-ms

וְ/נָתַ֥ן nâthan H5414 to give Conj | V-Qal-3ms

אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep

הַ/מָּֽיִם mayim H4325 Water (Gate) Art | N-mp

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 5:17

וְ/לָקַ֧ח lâqach H3947 "to take" Conj | V-Qal-3ms

This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.

Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)

Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.

הַ/כֹּהֵ֛ן kôhên H3548 "priest" Art | N-ms

In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.

Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)

Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.

מַ֥יִם mayim H4325 "Water (Gate)" N-mp

This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.

Definition: This name means water, refreshment

Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.

קְדֹשִׁ֖ים qâdôwsh H6918 "holy" Adj

Holy means set apart or sacred, used to describe God, angels, and saints. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things or people dedicated to God's service, like the Temple in Jerusalem or the prophets who spoke on God's behalf.

Definition: : holy sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart

Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: holy (One), saint. See also: Exodus 19:6; Psalms 89:19; Psalms 16:3.

בִּ/כְלִי kᵉlîy H3627 "article/utensil" Prep | N-ms

This Hebrew word refers to any object or tool, like a utensil or a piece of furniture. It is used to describe a wide range of items, from musical instruments to weapons. It emphasizes the object's purpose or function.

Definition: 1) article, vessel, implement, utensil 1a) article, object (general) 1b) utensil, implement, apparatus, vessel 1b1) implement (of hunting or war) 1b2) implement (of music) 1b3) implement, tool (of labour) 1b4) equipment, yoke (of oxen) 1b5) utensils, furniture 1c) vessel, receptacle (general) 1d) vessels (boats) of paper-reed

Usage: Occurs in 276 OT verses. KJV: armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever. See also: Genesis 24:53; 1 Samuel 14:13; Ezra 8:26.

חָ֑רֶשׂ cheres H2789 "earthenware" N-ms

This term refers to earthenware or clay pottery, including shards or broken pieces. It is used to describe everyday objects in ancient Israel. The KJV translates it as 'earth' or 'sherd'.

Definition: earthenware, clay pottery, shard, potsherd, earthen vessel

Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: earth(-en), (pot-) sherd, [phrase] stone. See also: Leviticus 6:21; Psalms 22:16; Proverbs 26:23.

וּ/מִן min H4480 "from" Conj | Prep

This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.

Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)

Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.

הֶֽ/עָפָ֗ר ʻâphâr H6083 "dust" Art | N-ms

Aphar means dust or dry earth, and is also used to describe clay, earth, or mortar. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.

Definition: 1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish 1a) dry or loose earth 1b) debris 1c) mortar 1d) ore

Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. See also: Genesis 2:7; Job 28:6; Psalms 7:6.

אֲשֶׁ֤ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

יִהְיֶה֙ hâyâh H1961 "to be" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

בְּ/קַרְקַ֣ע qarqaʻ H7172 "floor" Prep | N-ms

This word means the floor or bottom of something, like a building or the sea. It describes a flat surface, often made of pieces or tiles, and is used in the Bible to talk about the foundation of things.

Definition: floor, bottom

Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: bottom, ([idiom] one side of the) floor. See also: Numbers 5:17; 1 Kings 6:30; Amos 9:3.

הַ/מִּשְׁכָּ֔ן mishkân H4908 "tabernacle" Art | N-ms

The tabernacle was a special tent where God met with the Israelites, as described in Exodus and Leviticus. It was a portable place of worship, like a dwelling place for God. The Israelites carried it with them.

Definition: 1) dwelling place, tabernacle 1a) dwelling-place 1b) dwellings Aramaic equivalent: mish.kan (מִשְׁכַּן "habitation" H4907)

Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent. See also: Exodus 25:9; Numbers 3:23; Psalms 26:8.

יִקַּ֥ח lâqach H3947 "to take" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

הַ/כֹּהֵ֖ן kôhên H3548 "priest" Art | N-ms

Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.

וְ/נָתַ֥ן nâthan H5414 "to give" Conj | V-Qal-3ms

This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.

Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon

Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.

אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

הַ/מָּֽיִם mayim H4325 "Water (Gate)" Art | N-mp

Definition: This name means water, refreshment

Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.

Study Notes — Numbers 5:17

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Numbers 5:17 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 5:17
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 5:17
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 5:17
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 5:17
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 5:17
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 5:17
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 5:17
Sermons on Numbers 5:17

Context — The Adultery Test

15then he is to bring his wife to the priest. He must also bring for her an offering of a tenth of an ephah of barley flour. He is not to pour oil over it or put frankincense on it, because it is a grain offering for jealousy, an offering of memorial as a reminder of iniquity. 16The priest is to bring the wife forward and have her stand before the LORD.

17Then he is to take some holy water in a clay jar and put some of the dust from the tabernacle floor into the water.

18After the priest has the woman stand before the LORD, he is to let down her hair and place in her hands the grain offering of memorial, which is the grain offering for jealousy. The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse. 19And he is to put the woman under oath and say to her, ‘If no other man has slept with you and you have not gone astray and become defiled while under your husband’s authority, may you be immune to this bitter water that brings a curse.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Exodus 30:18	“You are to make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it,
2	John 8:6	They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger.
3	Numbers 19:2–9	“This is the statute of the law that the LORD has commanded: Instruct the Israelites to bring you an unblemished red heifer that has no defect and has never been placed under a yoke. Give it to Eleazar the priest, and he will have it brought outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence. Eleazar the priest is to take some of its blood on his finger and sprinkle it seven times toward the front of the Tent of Meeting. Then the heifer must be burned in his sight. Its hide, its flesh, and its blood are to be burned, along with its dung. The priest is to take cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet wool and throw them onto the burning heifer. Then the priest must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water; after that he may enter the camp, but he will be ceremonially unclean until evening. The one who burned the heifer must also wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and he too will be ceremonially unclean until evening. Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to gather up the ashes of the heifer and store them in a ceremonially clean place outside the camp. They must be kept by the congregation of Israel for preparing the water of purification; this is for purification from sin.
4	Lamentations 3:29	Let him bury his face in the dust— perhaps there is still hope.
5	John 8:8	And again He bent down and wrote on the ground.
6	Job 2:12	When they lifted up their eyes from afar, they could barely recognize Job. They began to weep aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust in the air over his head.
7	Jeremiah 17:13	O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who abandon You will be put to shame. All who turn away will be written in the dust, for they have abandoned the LORD, the fountain of living water.

Numbers 5:17 Summary

In Numbers 5:17, the priest takes holy water and adds dust from the tabernacle floor to it, preparing for a ritual to test the faithfulness of a wife. This practice may seem strange to us, but it shows how seriously God takes the commitment of marriage, as seen in Ephesians 5:33. The use of holy water and dust represents the mixing of the sacred with the ordinary, highlighting the importance of seeking divine guidance in our relationships. By studying this verse, we can learn more about the value of faithfulness and accountability in our own relationships, and how to seek God's guidance in difficult situations, just as the Israelites did.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the holy water in Numbers 5:17?

The holy water in this verse is a symbol of purification and cleansing, as seen in other biblical contexts such as Leviticus 15:13 and Numbers 19:9, where water is used for ritual purification.

Why is dust from the tabernacle floor added to the water?

The addition of dust from the tabernacle floor to the holy water may represent the mixing of the sacred with the ordinary, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the need for divine intervention, as seen in the use of dust in other biblical rituals like Numbers 5:24.

Is this practice still relevant today?

While the specific ritual described in Numbers 5:17 is not directly applicable to modern Christian practice, the underlying principles of seeking divine guidance and accountability in relationships are still relevant, as seen in Ephesians 5:33 and 1 Peter 3:7.

How does this verse relate to the concept of covenant faithfulness?

This verse is part of a larger narrative about testing for infidelity in marriage, highlighting the importance of covenant faithfulness and the consequences of unfaithfulness, as emphasized in Malachi 2:14-15 and Matthew 5:27-28.

Reflection Questions

What role does faith play in seeking divine guidance and resolution in difficult relationships?
How can I apply the principles of accountability and covenant faithfulness in my own relationships?
What does this verse teach me about the importance of ritual and symbolism in my spiritual life?
In what ways can I seek to 'stand before the Lord' in my daily life, as the woman is instructed to do in Numbers 5:16-17?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 5:17

And the priest shall take holy water,.... Out of the laver, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, and so Jarchi and Aben Ezra: in an earthen vessel; which held half a log, and that was but a

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 5:17

And 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: The priest shall take holy water -

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 5:17

Holy water; either water out of the holy laver, , or rather the water of purification appointed for such kind of uses, . This was used, that if she were guilty, she might be afraid to add profaneness and the pollution of holy things to her other crime. In an earthen vessel; either to signify that frailty and vileness of which she stood accused, or express her sorrowful and shameful condition, or because, after this use, it was to be broken in pieces, that the remembrance of it might be blotted out as far as possible. Compare 11:33 15:12. And of the dust; all emblem of vileness and misery, as appears from ; and the serpent’ s food, ; very proper for her who had been seduced to folly by the serpent’ s instigation. In the floor of the tabernacle; which made it holy dust, and struck the greater terror into the woman, if she were guilty. Put it into the water, to make it more unpleasant and bitter, which was suitable to one in that sorrowful state.

Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 5:17

Numbers 5:17 And 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:Ver. 17. Holy water,] i.e., Water taken out of the holy laver: no warrant for Popish lustral water, and sprinkling of sepulchres: for the ground whereof Cardinal Baronius fairly refers us to Juvenal’ s sixth Satire. Annal. ad Annum 44.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 5:17

Verse 17. Holy water] Water out of the laver, called holy because consecrated to sacred uses. This is the most ancient case of the trial by ordeal. See Clarke on Numbers 5:31. In an earthen vessel] Supposed by the Jews to be such as had never been previously used. Dust that is in the floor] Probably intended to point out the baseness of the crime of which she was accused.

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 5:17

17. holy water] A unique expression. The writer may have thought that the water should be taken from the sacred laver, which, according to a late stratum of P , stood in the court. LXX. , however, has ὕδωρκαθαρὸνζῶν—‘pure living water,’ which suggests that in the primitive ritual ‘running water’ was prescribed (cf. Numbers 19:17, Leviticus 14:5 f.). It is possible that ‘running water’ was the original reading, and that it was altered by a later hand. the dust &c.] This was sacred dust, which would increase the sacredness of the potion, and so make it more dangerous for one who was unworthy to drink it.

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 5:17

17. Holy water — Hebrew, holy waters; Greek, pure living water. This was at hand in the brazen laver near the altar. Exodus 30:18.

Sermons on Numbers 5:17

	Sermon	Description
	(Exodus) Exodus 27:9-21 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of light in the Bible and its connection to Christ. The speaker explains that while Jesus was on earth, he referred to himsel
	(Exodus) Exodus 25:9 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the tabernacle and its significance in the Bible. He emphasizes that the tabernacle was a pattern of the one in heaven, indicating the existen
	(Exodus) Exodus 38:1-8 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the significance of two articles of furniture in the outer court of the tabernacle: the altar of burnt offering and the laver. The altar rep
	The Tabernacle #2: The Holy Place by Stephen Kaung	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the cross in our approach to God. The cross is not only the means by which our sins are forgiven, but it also removes our o
	The Yardstick for Measuring Your Life by Paris Reidhead	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing our sins before approaching God. He compares the labor in the tabernacle, which was used for was
	The Washbasin by Henry Law	Henry Law preaches about the significance of the bronze washbasin in the Bible, symbolizing the cleansing power of Christ to remove sin and restore hope. The washbasin, made of bro
	John's Gospel - After Condemnation, What? by John Vissers	In this sermon, the preacher discusses a story from the Bible where Jesus encounters a woman caught in adultery. The religious leaders set a trap for Jesus by bringing the woman to