Numbers 5:17

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

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

Free Bible Version

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.

King James (Authorized) Version

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:

One Unity Resource Bible

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.

Translation for Translators

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.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The priest must take a jar of holy water and take dust from the floor of the tabernacle. He must put the dust into the water.

Noah Webster Bible

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:

World English Bible

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.

Young's Literal Translation

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,

Context

The Adultery Test

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.

Summary

This verse from the book of Numbers describes a ritual of jealousy and suspicion that a husband could perform if he suspected his wife of being unfaithful. The ritual involved the priest preparing a concoction of water mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor and ink from a written curse, which the woman would drink. If she was guilty, the curse would cause her to suffer, but if innocent, she would be unharmed. This passage reflects the importance of faithfulness in marriage and the belief in divine intervention to reveal the truth.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

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 at Num 5:31 (note). 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.

Numbers 5:17

The Adultery Test

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

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

Free Bible Version

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.

King James (Authorized) Version

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:

One Unity Resource Bible

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.

Translation for Translators

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.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The priest must take a jar of holy water and take dust from the floor of the tabernacle. He must put the dust into the water.

Noah Webster Bible

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:

World English Bible

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.

Young's Literal Translation

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,

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Numbers 5:17

Verse

Context

The Adultery Test

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Numbers 5:17

The Adultery Test

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes