Numbers 5:31
Numbers 5:31 in Multiple Translations
The husband will be free from guilt, but the woman shall bear her iniquity.”
Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity, and this woman shall bear her iniquity.
And the man shall be free from iniquity, and that woman shall bear her iniquity.
Then the man will be free from all wrong, and the woman's sin will be on her.
If she is found guilty, her husband will not be held responsible. But the woman will bear the consequences of her sin.”
And the man shalbe free from sinne, but this woman shall beare her iniquitie.
and the man hath been acquitted from iniquity, and that woman doth bear her iniquity.'
The man shall be free from iniquity, and that woman shall bear her iniquity.’”
Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity, and this woman shall bear her iniquity.
The husband shall be blameless, and she shall bear her iniquity.
Even if the woman has not done what the husband suspected, he will not be punished [MTY] for doing something wrong by bringing his wife to the priest. But if his wife is guilty, she will suffer as a result.’”
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 5:31
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 5:31 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/נִקָּ֥ה
הָ/אִ֖ישׁ
מֵ/עָוֺ֑ן
וְ/הָ/אִשָּׁ֣ה
הַ/הִ֔וא
תִּשָּׂ֖א
אֶת
עֲוֺנָֽ/הּ
וְ/נִקָּ֥ה
nâqâh
H5352
to clear
Conj | V-Niphal-3ms
הָ/אִ֖ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
Art | N-ms
מֵ/עָוֺ֑ן
ʻâvôn
H5771
iniquity
Prep | N-cs
וְ/הָ/אִשָּׁ֣ה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
Conj | Art | N-fs
הַ/הִ֔וא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Art | Pron
תִּשָּׂ֖א
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
עֲוֺנָֽ/הּ
ʻâvôn
H5771
iniquity
N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 5:31
וְ/נִקָּ֥ה
nâqâh
H5352
"to clear"
Conj | V-Niphal-3ms
To be or make clean, either physically or morally, as seen in the book of Psalms where David asks God to cleanse him. This word is also used to describe being free from guilt or punishment. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to be empty, be clear, be pure, be free, be innocent, be desolate, be cut off 1a) (Qal) to be empty, be clean, be pure 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cleaned out, be purged out 1b2) to be clean, be free from guilt, be innocent 1b3) to be free, be exempt from punishment 1b4) to be free, be exempt from obligation 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to hold innocent, acquit 1c2) to leave unpunished
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: acquit [idiom] at all, [idiom] altogether, be blameless, cleanse, (be) clear(-ing), cut off, be desolate, be free, be (hold) guiltless, be (hold) innocent, [idiom] by no means, be quit, be (leave) unpunished, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] wholly. See also: Genesis 24:8; Psalms 19:14; Psalms 19:13.
הָ/אִ֖ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
מֵ/עָוֺ֑ן
ʻâvôn
H5771
"iniquity"
Prep | N-cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means moral evil or sin, like the kind God sees in people's hearts. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms. This concept is key to understanding human nature.
Definition: : crime 1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity 1a) iniquity 1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition) 1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin. See also: Genesis 4:13; Psalms 107:17; Psalms 18:24.
וְ/הָ/אִשָּׁ֣ה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
Conj | 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.
הַ/הִ֔וא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
תִּשָּׂ֖א
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
אֶת
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.
עֲוֺנָֽ/הּ
ʻâvôn
H5771
"iniquity"
N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means moral evil or sin, like the kind God sees in people's hearts. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms. This concept is key to understanding human nature.
Definition: : crime 1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity 1a) iniquity 1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition) 1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin. See also: Genesis 4:13; Psalms 107:17; Psalms 18:24.
Study Notes — Numbers 5:31
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 5:31 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 5:31
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 5:31
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 5:31
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 5:31
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 5:31
- Sermons on Numbers 5:31
Context — The Adultery Test
29This is the law of jealousy when a wife goes astray and defiles herself while under her husband’s authority,
30or when a feeling of jealousy comes over a husband and he suspects his wife. He is to have the woman stand before the LORD, and the priest is to apply to her this entire law.
31The husband will be free from guilt, but the woman shall bear her iniquity.”
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 20:10 | If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death. |
| 2 | Romans 2:8–9 | But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek; |
| 3 | Ezekiel 18:4 | Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die. |
| 4 | Psalms 37:6 | He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun. |
| 5 | Numbers 9:13 | But if a man who is ceremonially clean and is not on a journey still fails to observe the Passover, he must be cut off from his people, because he did not present the LORD’s offering at its appointed time. That man will bear the consequences of his sin. |
| 6 | Leviticus 20:17–20 | If a man marries his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; he shall bear his iniquity. If a man lies with a menstruating woman and has sexual relations with her, he has exposed the source of her flow, and she has uncovered the source of her blood. Both of them must be cut off from among their people. You must not have sexual relations with the sister of your mother or your father, for it is exposing one’s own kin; both shall bear their iniquity. If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered the nakedness of his uncle. They will bear their sin; they shall die childless. |
Numbers 5:31 Summary
This verse means that if a wife is unfaithful to her husband, she will be responsible for her own actions, but her husband will not be punished for what she did (Numbers 5:31). This is similar to the idea that we are each responsible for our own sins, as seen in Ezekiel 18:20. It's a reminder that our choices have consequences, and we must be faithful to our commitments, just like God is faithful to us (Deuteronomy 7:9). By understanding this, we can appreciate the importance of honesty and integrity in our relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the husband to be free from guilt in Numbers 5:31?
This means that if the wife is found guilty of adultery, her husband is not held responsible for her actions, as seen in Numbers 5:31, and is similar to the principle found in Ezekiel 18:20, which states that the son will not bear the guilt of the father.
Why does the woman bear her iniquity in Numbers 5:31?
The woman bears her iniquity because she has committed a sin against her husband and against God, as stated in Numbers 5:27, and this is in line with the biblical principle that each person is responsible for their own sins, as seen in Deuteronomy 24:16.
Is this verse unfair to women, making them solely responsible for adultery?
While it may seem that way, this verse is part of a larger context that emphasizes the importance of faithfulness in marriage, as seen in Exodus 20:17, and both husbands and wives are held to this standard, as seen in Matthew 5:27-28.
How does this verse relate to the concept of forgiveness and restoration in marriage?
This verse highlights the importance of accountability in marriage, but it is also important to remember that forgiveness and restoration are possible through repentance and faith in God, as seen in 1 John 1:9 and Matthew 6:14-15.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of accountability in my own relationships?
- How can I apply the principle of personal responsibility for my actions, as seen in this verse, to my own life?
- What does this verse reveal about God's desire for faithfulness and purity in marriage?
- How can I balance the need for accountability with the importance of forgiveness and restoration in my relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 5:31
Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity,.... Which otherwise he would not, by conniving at her loose way of living, and not reproving her for it, and bringing her either to repentance or
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 5:31
Guiltless from iniquity; which he should not have been, if he had either dissembled or indulged her in so great a wickedness, and not endeavoured to bring her either to repentance or punishment; see ; or cherished suspicions in his breast, and thereupon proceeded to hate her or cast her off. Whereas now, whatsoever the consequent is, the husband shall not be blamed or censured, either for bringing such curses and mischiefs upon her, or for defaming her, if she appear to be innocent. Her iniquity, i.e. the punishment of her iniquity, whether she was false to her husband, or by any light and foolish carriage gave him occasion to suspect her to be so.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 5:31
Verse 31. This woman shall bear her iniquity] That is, her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot; See Clarke on Numbers 5:22. But if not guilty after such a trial, she had great honour, and, according to the rabbins, became strong, healthy, and fruitful; for if she was before barren, she now began to bear children; if before she had only daughters, she now began to have sons; if before she had hard travail, she now had easy; in a word, she was blessed in her body, her soul, and her substance: so shall it be done unto the holy and faithful woman, for such the Lord delighteth to honour; see 1 Timothy 2:15. ON the principal subject of this chapter. I shall here introduce a short account of the trial by ordeal, as practised in different parts of the world, and which is supposed to have taken its origin from the waters of jealousy. The trial by what was afterwards called ORDEAL is certainly of very remote antiquity, and was evidently of Divine appointment. In this place we have an institution relative to a mode of trial precisely of that kind which among our ancestors was called ordeal; and from this all similar trials in Asia, Africa, and Europe, have very probably derived their origin. Ordeal, Latin, ordalium, is, according to Verstegan, from the Saxon [Anglo-Saxon], ordal and ordel, and is derived by some from [Anglo-Saxon], great, and DAEL, judgment, signifying the greatest, most solemn, and decisive mode of judgment. - Hickes. Others derive it from the Francic or Teutonic Urdela, which signifies simply to judge. But Lye, in his Anglo-Saxon Dictionary, derives the term from [Anglo-Saxon], which is often in Anglo-Saxon, a privative particle, and [Anglo-Saxon], distinction or difference; and hence applied to that kind of judgment in which there was no respect of persons, but every one had absolute justice done him, as the decision of the business was supposed to belong to GOD alone.
It always signified an appeal to the immediate interposition of GOD, and was therefore called Judicium Dei, God's Judgment; and we may naturally suppose was never resorted to but in very important cases, where persons accused of great crimes protested their innocence, and there was no sufficient evidence by which they could be cleared from the accusation, or proved to be guilty of the crime laid to their charge. Such were the cases of jealousy referred to in this chapter. The rabbins who have commented on this text give us the following information: When any man, prompted by the spirit of jealousy, suspected his wife to have committed adultery, he brought her first before the judges, and accused her of the crime; but as she asserted her innocency, and refused to acknowledge herself guilty, and as he had no witnesses to produce, he required that she should be sentenced to drink the waters of bitterness which the law had appointed; that God, by this means, might discover what she wished to conceal.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 5:31
31. The husband shall be held innocent in any case, and the woman shall, if guilty, suffer the consequences of guilt.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 5:31
31. Then shall the man be guiltless — He would have incurred guilt if he had, without proof of criminality, treated his wife as guilty.
Sermons on Numbers 5:31
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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003 Joseph Was a Righteous Man by David Servant | This sermon delves into the genealogy of Jesus Christ, emphasizing his credentials as the Messiah through his lineage from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and David. It highlights th |
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Moral Purity by Ralph Shallis | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of sex and its significance in the Bible. He emphasizes that sex was originally created by God as a good and beautiful thing, but du |
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The Limits of God's Grace by David Servant | David Servant preaches on the true biblical concept of grace, using the story of Jesus' encounter with the woman caught in adultery to illustrate that grace is not a license to sin |
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Studies in Romans-02 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the apostle Paul teaches about the judgment of God. He emphasizes that God's judgment is based on truth and not on incomplete or circumstantial evidence. Those who |
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Lake Geneva Bible Conference 1984-03 Romans 2:1-16 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the judgment of God and how it will be without respect of persons. He emphasizes that God's judgment will be according to the law and truth, a |
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(Romans) Faith or Works? by Brian Brodersen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the lack of understanding among Roman Catholics about how to attain salvation. He highlights the fact that many Catholic leaders are also unaw |
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The Portion of the Wicked by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the justice of God in allotting indignation, wrath, tribulation, and anguish to wicked men, emphasizing that their sinful nature and refusal to repe |