Numbers 5:21

Numbers 5:21 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

and the priest shall have the woman swear under the oath of the curse—‘then may the LORD make you an attested curse among your people by making your thigh shrivel and your belly swell.

King James Version KJV

Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell;

American Standard Version ASV

then the priest shall cause the woman to swear with the oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, Jehovah make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when Jehovah doth make thy thigh to fall away, and thy body to swell;

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then the priest will put the oath of the curse on the woman, and say to her, May the Lord make you a curse and an oath among your people, sending on you wasting of the legs and disease of the stomach;

Free Bible Version FBV

(Here the priest shall place the woman under the oath of the curse as follows.) “May the Lord place a curse on you that everyone knows about by having your thighs shrink and your belly swell up.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

(Then the Priest shall charge the woman with an othe of cursing, and the Priest shall say vnto the woman) The Lord make thee to be accursed, and detestable for the othe among thy people, and the Lord cause thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell:

Young's Literal Translation YLT

(then the priest hath caused the woman to swear with an oath of execration, and the priest hath said to the woman) — Jehovah doth give thee for an execration, and for a curse, in the midst of thy people, in Jehovah's giving thy thigh to fall, and thy belly to swell,

World English Bible WEB

then the priest shall cause the woman to swear with the oath of cursing, and the priest shall tell the woman, “May the LORD make you a curse and an oath among your people, when the LORD allows your thigh to fall away, and your body to swell;

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say to the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to perish, and thy belly to swell;

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

These curses shall light upon thee: The Lord make thee a curse, and an example for all among his people: may he make thy thigh to rot, and may thy belly swell and burst asunder.

Translation for Translators T4T

Your womb will shrivel up and your stomach will swell up. You will never be able to give birth to children, and as a result, everyone will curse you and avoid you. If you have committed adultery, when you drink this water, that is what will happen to you.” Then the woman must answer, “If I am guilty, I will not object if that happens.”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 5:21

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 5:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/הִשְׁבִּ֨יעַ הַ/כֹּהֵ֥ן אֶֽת הָֽ/אִשָּׁה֮ בִּ/שְׁבֻעַ֣ת הָ/אָלָה֒ וְ/אָמַ֤ר הַ/כֹּהֵן֙ לָֽ/אִשָּׁ֔ה יִתֵּ֨ן יְהוָ֥ה אוֹתָ֛/ךְ לְ/אָלָ֥ה וְ/לִ/שְׁבֻעָ֖ה בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ עַמֵּ֑/ךְ בְּ/תֵ֨ת יְהוָ֤ה אֶת יְרֵכֵ/ךְ֙ נֹפֶ֔לֶת וְ/אֶת בִּטְנֵ֖/ךְ צָבָֽה

וְ/הִשְׁבִּ֨יעַ shâbaʻ H7650 to swear Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms

הַ/כֹּהֵ֥ן kôhên H3548 priest Art | N-ms

אֶֽת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

הָֽ/אִשָּׁה֮ ʼishshâh H802 woman Art | N-fs

בִּ/שְׁבֻעַ֣ת shᵉbûwʻâh H7621 oath Prep | N-fs

הָ/אָלָה֒ ʼâlâh H423 oath Art | N-fs

וְ/אָמַ֤ר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-3ms

הַ/כֹּהֵן֙ kôhên H3548 priest Art | N-ms

לָֽ/אִשָּׁ֔ה ʼishshâh H802 woman Prep | N-fs

יִתֵּ֨ן nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

יְהוָ֥ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

אוֹתָ֛/ךְ ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM | Suff

לְ/אָלָ֥ה ʼâlâh H423 oath Prep | N-fs

וְ/לִ/שְׁבֻעָ֖ה shᵉbûwʻâh H7621 oath Conj | Prep | N-fs

בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ tâvek H8432 midst Prep | N-ms

עַמֵּ֑/ךְ ʻam H5971 Amaw N-ms | Suff

בְּ/תֵ֨ת nâthan H5414 to give Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

יְהוָ֤ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

יְרֵכֵ/ךְ֙ yârêk H3409 thigh N-fs | Suff

נֹפֶ֔לֶת nâphal H5307 to fall V-Qal

וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM

בִּטְנֵ֖/ךְ beṭen H990 belly N-fs | Suff

צָבָֽה tsâbeh H6639 swollen Adj

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 5:21

וְ/הִשְׁבִּ֨יעַ shâbaʻ H7650 "to swear" Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms

This Hebrew word means to swear an oath, like making a promise or vow. In the Bible, it is used when someone is making a serious promise, often with God as a witness. The KJV translates it as adjure or take an oath.

Definition: 1) to swear, adjure 1a) (Qal) sworn (participle) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to swear, take an oath 1b2) to swear (of Jehovah by Himself) 1b3) to curse 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to take an oath 1c2) to adjure

Usage: Occurs in 175 OT verses. KJV: adjure, charge (by an oath, with an oath), feed to the full (by mistake for H7646 (שָׂבַע)), take an oath, [idiom] straitly, (cause to, make to) swear. See also: Genesis 21:23; Judges 21:18; Psalms 15:4.

הַ/כֹּהֵ֥ן 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.

אֶֽת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

הָֽ/אִשָּׁה֮ ʼishshâh H802 "woman" Art | N-fs

The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.

Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)

Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.

בִּ/שְׁבֻעַ֣ת shᵉbûwʻâh H7621 "oath" Prep | N-fs

This word means an oath or curse, like a promise or vow. In the Bible, it appears in Numbers 5:21 and Deuteronomy 29:12, referring to God's oath. The KJV translates it as 'oath' or 'curse'.

Definition: 1) oath, curse 1a) oath 1a1) attesting of innocence 1a2) curse 1b) oath (of Jehovah)

Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: curse, oath, [idiom] sworn. See also: Genesis 24:8; 2 Samuel 21:7; Psalms 105:9.

הָ/אָלָה֒ ʼâlâh H423 "oath" Art | N-fs

In the Bible, this word refers to a promise or oath, often with serious consequences. It appears in Genesis 24:8 and Deuteronomy 29:12, describing agreements between God and people.

Definition: 1) oath 2) oath of covenant 3) curse 3a) from God 3b) from men 4) execration

Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: curse, cursing, execration, oath, swearing. See also: Genesis 24:41; Job 31:30; Psalms 10:7.

וְ/אָמַ֤ר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-3ms

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

הַ/כֹּהֵן֙ 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.

לָֽ/אִשָּׁ֔ה ʼishshâh H802 "woman" Prep | N-fs

The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.

Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)

יִתֵּ֨ן nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Imperf-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.

יְהוָ֥ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

אוֹתָ֛/ךְ ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM | Suff

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

לְ/אָלָ֥ה ʼâlâh H423 "oath" Prep | N-fs

In the Bible, this word refers to a promise or oath, often with serious consequences. It appears in Genesis 24:8 and Deuteronomy 29:12, describing agreements between God and people.

Definition: 1) oath 2) oath of covenant 3) curse 3a) from God 3b) from men 4) execration

Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: curse, cursing, execration, oath, swearing. See also: Genesis 24:41; Job 31:30; Psalms 10:7.

וְ/לִ/שְׁבֻעָ֖ה shᵉbûwʻâh H7621 "oath" Conj | Prep | N-fs

This word means an oath or curse, like a promise or vow. In the Bible, it appears in Numbers 5:21 and Deuteronomy 29:12, referring to God's oath. The KJV translates it as 'oath' or 'curse'.

Definition: 1) oath, curse 1a) oath 1a1) attesting of innocence 1a2) curse 1b) oath (of Jehovah)

Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: curse, oath, [idiom] sworn. See also: Genesis 24:8; 2 Samuel 21:7; Psalms 105:9.

בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ tâvek H8432 "midst" Prep | N-ms

This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.

Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)

Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.

עַמֵּ֑/ךְ ʻam H5971 "Amaw" N-ms | Suff

A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.

Definition: This name means nation, people

Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

בְּ/תֵ֨ת nâthan H5414 "to give" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

יְהוָ֤ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

יְרֵכֵ/ךְ֙ yârêk H3409 "thigh" N-fs | Suff

In the Bible, this word refers to the thigh or the side of something, and can also symbolize strength or power. It is used to describe where a sword is worn, and also represents the loins as the seat of procreative power.

Definition: 1) thigh, side, loin, base 1a) thigh 1a1) outside of thigh (where sword was worn) 1a2) loins (as the seat of procreative power) 1b) side (flank) (of object) 1c) base

Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] body, loins, shaft, side, thigh. See also: Genesis 24:2; Numbers 3:35; Psalms 45:4.

נֹפֶ֔לֶת nâphal H5307 "to fall" V-Qal

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.

Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall

Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.

וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

בִּטְנֵ֖/ךְ beṭen H990 "belly" N-fs | Suff

This Hebrew word refers to the belly or womb, and is used to describe the seat of hunger, emotions, and even the depths of the afterlife. It is used in the Bible to describe the body and its functions. The KJV translates it as belly, body, or womb.

Definition: : abdomen 1) belly, womb, body 1a) belly, abdomen 1a1) as seat of hunger 1a2) as seat of mental faculties 1a3) of depth of Sheol (fig.) 1b) womb

Usage: Occurs in 72 OT verses. KJV: belly, body, [phrase] as they be born, [phrase] within, womb. See also: Genesis 25:23; Psalms 22:10; Psalms 17:14.

צָבָֽה tsâbeh H6639 "swollen" Adj

This word means swollen or turgid, describing something that's grown or increased in size. It's used in the Bible to describe physical swelling, and the KJV translates it as 'swell'.

Definition: swelling, swollen

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: swell. See also: Numbers 5:21.

Study Notes — Numbers 5:21

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Numbers 5:21 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 5:21
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 5:21
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 5:21
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 5:21
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 5:21
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 5:21
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 5:21
Sermons on Numbers 5:21

Context — The Adultery Test

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. 20But if you have gone astray while under your husband’s authority and have defiled yourself and lain carnally with a man other than your husband’—

21and the priest shall have the woman swear under the oath of the curse—‘then may the LORD make you an attested curse among your people by making your thigh shrivel and your belly swell.

22May this water that brings a curse enter your stomach and cause your belly to swell and your thigh to shrivel.’ Then the woman is to say, ‘Amen, Amen.’ 23And the priest shall write these curses on a scroll and wash them off into the bitter water.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Joshua 6:26	At that time Joshua invoked this solemn oath: “Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho; at the cost of his firstborn he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates.”
2	Nehemiah 10:29	hereby join with their noble brothers and commit themselves with a sworn oath to follow the Law of God given through His servant Moses and to carefully obey all the commandments, ordinances, and statutes of the LORD our Lord.
3	1 Samuel 14:24	Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food.
4	Jeremiah 29:22	Because of them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’
5	Proverbs 10:7	The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.
6	Matthew 26:74	At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.
7	Isaiah 65:15	You will leave behind your name as a curse for My chosen ones, and the Lord GOD will slay you; but to His servants He will give another name.
8	2 Chronicles 21:15	And day after day you yourself will suffer from a severe illness, a disease of your bowels, until it causes your bowels to come out.’”

Numbers 5:21 Summary

In Numbers 5:21, we see a woman taking a solemn oath, asking God to punish her if she has been unfaithful to her husband. This oath is a serious commitment, and the punishment is severe, involving physical suffering and shame, as seen in the description of the curse in Numbers 5:21. This verse reminds us that God takes faithfulness and purity very seriously, as also seen in Proverbs 6:32, and we should strive to live with integrity and honesty in all our relationships. By considering this verse, we can reflect on our own commitment to faithfulness and purity, and seek to live in a way that honors God.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the oath of the curse in Numbers 5:21?

The oath of the curse is a solemn vow that the woman takes, invoking God's judgment upon herself if she is guilty of adultery, as seen in Numbers 5:21, and this is similar to the oath taken by the people of Israel in Deuteronomy 29:12-15, where they swore to obey God's commands.

Why does the curse involve the woman's thigh and belly?

The curse involves the woman's thigh and belly, as mentioned in Numbers 5:21, because in biblical times, the thigh represented the seat of strength and the belly represented the womb, and the curse would bring shame and barrenness, as seen in the punishment of the unfaithful wife in Hosea 3:3.

Is this practice still applicable today?

While the specific practice described in Numbers 5:21 is not directly applicable today, the principle of seeking God's judgment and justice in cases of unfaithfulness remains, as seen in Matthew 5:27-30, where Jesus teaches about the seriousness of adultery and the importance of purity.

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

This verse is closely tied to the concept of covenant faithfulness, as seen in Malachi 2:14-15, where God emphasizes the importance of faithfulness in marriage, and the curse in Numbers 5:21 serves as a reminder of the seriousness of breaking that covenant.

Reflection Questions

What does this verse reveal about God's attitude towards faithfulness and unfaithfulness in marriage?
How does the oath of the curse in this verse relate to our own personal commitment to purity and faithfulness?
In what ways can we apply the principle of seeking God's judgment and justice in our own lives, especially in cases of unfaithfulness?
What does this verse teach us about the importance of taking our vows and commitments seriously, as seen in Ecclesiastes 5:4-5?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 5:21

Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing,.... An oath which has a curse annexed to it, if taken falsely, which was to be pronounced upon the woman if guilty: and the priest

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 5:21

Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 5:21

An oath, i.e. a form of cursing or imprecatory oaths, that when they would curse a person, they may wish that they may be as cursed and miserable as thou wast upon this occasion. See the phrase and compare ,12. Thy thigh; a modest signification of the genital parts, used both in Scripture, as , and other authors, that the sin might be evident in the punishment. To rot, Heb. to fall, i.e. to die or waste away, as the word is used, , compared with . To swell, suddenly and violently till it burst, which the Jews note was frequent in this and like cases, as . And it was a clear evidence of the truth of their religion.

Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 5:21

Numbers 5:21 Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell;Ver. 21. Thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell.] God takes notice of the offending member; as he did in those blasphemers, who gnawed their tongues; Absalom’ s hair; Jeroboam’ s hand; the adulterer’ s loins; Zimri and Cozbi, thrust through the belly. Charles II, King of Navarre, Joan, Queen of Naples, &c., suffered as they sinned.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 5:21

Verse 21. The Lord make thee a curse and an oath] Let thy name and punishment be remembered and mentioned as an example and terror to all others. Like that mentioned Jeremiah 29:22-23: "The Lord make thee like Zedekiah, and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire, because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives." - Ainsworth.

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 5:21

11–31. The Ordeal of Jealousy. Though in its present form a late priestly composition this section is evidently based upon very ancient material. Its contents find no parallel in the other Pentateuchal codes; but the custom of trial by ordeal was a very ancient feature in Israelite life, as it was in the life of many other nations, and it still has a wide prevalence, especially in Africa. The forms of ordeal differ greatly—drinking a potion (as here), being thrown into water (as in the case of suspected witches in the middle ages in Europe), walking upon heated metal, or holding it in the hand, or very frequently invoking upon oneself a curse which will come true in the event of guilt. The latter, as well as the potion, forms part of the ordeal in the present passage1 [Note: References to ordeals in other nations are given in Gray’s Numbers, pp. 44 f.] . Another Biblical instance of an ordeal appears in the story of Korah (Numbers 16:16-18), and the practice perhaps underlies Psalms 109:18, Proverbs 6:27 f. The essential element in all cases is that the accused is subjected to a test, the visible results of which will be a conclusive divine sentence of innocence or guilt. In the present instance a woman is suspected of adultery which cannot be legally proved, and her husband’s jealousy is roused. He brings her to the priest with an accompanying offering of flour. The priest places her ‘before Jehovah,’ and after dictating a curse upon herself which the woman endorses by responding ‘Amen, Amen,’ he causes her to drink a potion, consisting of holy water with two added ingredients—dust from the floor of the Tabernacle, and the written words of the curse which have been washed off into the water. If she is guilty of the charge, the potion will have a harmful effect upon her body which will prevent her being delivered of a child, but if she is innocent it will do her no harm and she will conceive seed.

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 5:21

21. The Lord make thee… an oath — So signal a mark of Jehovah’s wrath was she to bear, that in future adjurations she was to be held up as the conspicuous example and measure of his vengeance, and

Sermons on Numbers 5:21

	Sermon	Description
	We Need a Double Portion by Alan Cairns	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a chapter in the Bible that has had a significant impact on the ministry of a particular church. The speaker poses the question of whether C
	Elijah’s Dramatic Appearance by A.W. Pink	A.W. Pink discusses the dramatic appearance of Elijah during a dark period in Israel's history, marked by rampant idolatry and wicked kings. He highlights the spiritual decline ini
	From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Nehemiah) ch.9 & 10 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the example of the people in the book of Nehemiah who dedicated six hours to reading the Word of God and praying. He emphasizes that they wer
	Reclaiming the Sweetness of the Cross by Carter Conlon	This sermon emphasizes the importance of reclaiming the sweetness of the cross, highlighting the need for honesty, abandonment to God, and righteousness. It calls for a choice to w
	I Samuel 26:21 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith explores the life of Saul, emphasizing how despite his physical advantages and opportunities to lead God's people, he ultimately played the fool by failing to submit fu
	Jonathan Edwards by Leonard Ravenhill	Leonard Ravenhill reflects on the life and impact of Jonathan Edwards, highlighting him as a profound preacher and theologian whose passionate sermons ignited spiritual awakenings.
	The Future Life - Personal Recognition in Heaven by W.B. Dunkum	W.B. Dunkum preaches about the composition of individuality symbolizing two worlds, with the body representing the present world and the soul representing the spiritual world. He d