King James Version

What Does Numbers 5:15 Mean?

Numbers 5:15 in the King James Version says “Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah o... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.

Numbers 5:15 · KJV


Context

13

And a man lie with her carnally , and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and there be no witness against her, neither she be taken with the manner;

14

And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:

15

Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.

16

And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the LORD:

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:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The jealousy offering's requirement that it contain no oil or frankincense (unlike other grain offerings) symbolized the bitter nature of the investigation. Oil represented joy and frankincense represented prayer; their absence indicated this was not a celebratory offering but a solemn trial before God. The meal of barley (rather than wheat) suggested humility or even poverty. This offering 'bringing iniquity to remembrance' shows that sin cannot remain hidden but must be brought to light before God, the righteous Judge.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This unusual trial by ordeal appears unique in Scripture, divinely instituted to address accusations of adultery when witnesses were unavailable. Ancient Near Eastern laws (like the Code of Hammurabi) included various trial by ordeal procedures, but Israel's was distinctively God-centered—relying on divine judgment rather than superstitious rituals. The bitter water's supernatural operation demonstrated God's active involvement in revealing truth and executing justice.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this trial procedure demonstrate that God sees all secret sins and will bring them to light?
  2. What does the absence of oil and frankincense teach about the seriousness of sin before God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וְהֵבִ֤יא1 of 30

and he shall bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הָאִ֣ישׁ2 of 30

Then shall the man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת3 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אִשְׁתּוֹ֮4 of 30

his wife

H802

a woman

אֶל5 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַכֹּהֵן֒6 of 30

unto the priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וְהֵבִ֤יא7 of 30

and he shall bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת8 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

קָרְבָּנָהּ֙9 of 30

her offering

H7133

something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present

עָלֶ֔יהָ10 of 30
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֲשִׂירִ֥ת11 of 30

for her the tenth

H6224

tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part

הָֽאֵיפָ֖ה12 of 30

part of an ephah

H374

an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general

קֶ֣מַח13 of 30

meal

H7058

flour

שְׂעֹרִ֑ים14 of 30

of barley

H8184

barley (as villose)

לֹֽא15 of 30
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִצֹ֨ק16 of 30

he shall pour

H3332

properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard

עָלָ֜יו17 of 30
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שֶׁ֗מֶן18 of 30

no oil

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

וְלֹֽא19 of 30
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִתֵּ֤ן20 of 30

upon it nor put

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

עָלָיו֙21 of 30
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לְבֹנָ֔ה22 of 30

frankincense

H3828

frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)

כִּֽי23 of 30
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מִנְחַ֥ת24 of 30

an offering

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

קְנָאֹת֙25 of 30

of jealousy

H7068

jealousy or envy

ה֔וּא26 of 30
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מִנְחַ֥ת27 of 30

an offering

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

זִכָּר֖וֹן28 of 30

of memorial

H2146

a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)

מַזְכֶּ֥רֶת29 of 30

bringing

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

עָוֹֽן׃30 of 30

iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 5:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 5:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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