King James Version

What Does Numbers 5:21 Mean?

Numbers 5:21 in the King James Version says “Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make t...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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; rot: Heb. fall”

Numbers 5:21 · KJV

Context

19

And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse: with another: or, being in the power of thy husband: Heb. under thy husband

20

But if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee beside thine husband:

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; rot: Heb. fall

22

And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.

23

And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out with the bitter water:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse prescribes the oath formula for the suspected adulteress undergoing the bitter water ordeal, invoking covenant curses if she is guilty. The priest makes the woman swear 'with an oath of cursing'—the Hebrew 'shevu'at ha-alah' (שְׁבֻעַת הָאָלָה) combines oath and curse, creating a self-imprecation that invites divine judgment if guilty. The specified curse—'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'—describes visible physical consequences that would publicly demonstrate guilt. The 'thigh' (Hebrew 'yarek', יָרֵךְ) is a euphemism for reproductive organs, and the swelling belly may indicate inability to bear children or miscarriage if pregnant by adultery. The public nature of the curse ('among thy people') emphasizes that covenant violations have communal consequences—sin doesn't remain merely private. This ordeal's severity reflects marriage's sacred covenant status and adultery's serious violation of that covenant. While troubling to modern sensibilities, this law protected women from false accusations by requiring divine judgment rather than human presumption, and it deterred adultery by establishing accountability.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The ordeal of bitter water (Numbers 5:11-31) is unique in ancient Near Eastern legal traditions, though trial by ordeal was known in various cultures. Mesopotamian law codes (especially Middle Assyrian laws) describe water ordeals for suspected adultery, but Israel's version was distinct in several ways: it appealed to God's direct judgment rather than magical forces, it included specific liturgical elements involving the tabernacle and priesthood, and it could exonerate the innocent woman rather than merely punishing the guilty. The law protected women against capricious accusations while taking adultery seriously. The 'bitter water' was created by mixing dust from the tabernacle floor with holy water and the dissolved ink from the written curses, creating a ritual drink. If the woman was innocent, no harm would result; if guilty, the described physical symptoms would manifest. The law's placement in Numbers 5 alongside laws about restitution and Nazirite vows emphasizes the holiness God requires in His covenant community.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the appeal to divine judgment rather than human presumption protect the potentially innocent while maintaining accountability for sin?
  2. What does this law's severity teach about the sacred covenant nature of marriage in God's eyes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְהִשְׁבִּ֨יעַ1 of 24

“shall charge”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

הַכֹּהֵן֙2 of 24

“Then the priest”

H3548

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

אֶֽת3 of 24
H853

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

לָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה4 of 24

“the woman”

H802

a woman

וְלִשְׁבֻעָ֖ה5 of 24

“and an oath”

H7621

properly, something sworn, i.e., an oath

לְאָלָ֥ה6 of 24

“of cursing”

H423

an imprecation

וְאָמַ֤ר7 of 24

“shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַכֹּהֵן֙8 of 24

“Then the priest”

H3548

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

לָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה9 of 24

“the woman”

H802

a woman

בְּתֵ֨ת10 of 24

“doth make”

H5414

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

יְהוָ֤ה11 of 24

“The LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אוֹתָ֛ךְ12 of 24
H853

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

לְאָלָ֥ה13 of 24

“of cursing”

H423

an imprecation

וְלִשְׁבֻעָ֖ה14 of 24

“and an oath”

H7621

properly, something sworn, i.e., an oath

בְּת֣וֹךְ15 of 24

“among”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

עַמֵּ֑ךְ16 of 24

“thy people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בְּתֵ֨ת17 of 24

“doth make”

H5414

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

יְהוָ֤ה18 of 24

“The LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת19 of 24
H853

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

יְרֵכֵךְ֙20 of 24

“thy thigh”

H3409

the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side

נֹפֶ֔לֶת21 of 24

“to rot”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

וְאֶת22 of 24
H853

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

בִּטְנֵ֖ךְ23 of 24

“and thy belly”

H990

the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything

צָבָֽה׃24 of 24

“to swell”

H6639

turgid

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 5:21 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 5:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 6:261 Samuel 14:24Nehemiah 10:29Jeremiah 29:22Proverbs 10:72 Chronicles 21:15

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