King James Version

What Does Numbers 5:27 Mean?

Numbers 5:27 in the King James Version says “And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespas...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people.”

Numbers 5:27 · KJV

Context

25

Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the offering before the LORD, and offer it upon the altar:

26

And the priest shall take an handful of the offering, even the memorial thereof, and burn it upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water.

27

And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people.

28

And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.

29

This is the law of jealousies, when a wife goeth aside to another instead of her husband, and is defiled;

Read Numbers 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The divine judgment manifests physically—the bitter water enters her body, and if she has defiled herself, it causes her belly to swell and thigh to rot. The public nature of this judgment serves both as vindication or condemnation. If guilty, her sin is exposed; if innocent, her integrity is publicly confirmed. The curse makes the adulteress an object lesson among her people, demonstrating that sexual sin brings tangible consequences. This reflects the Reformed principle that while salvation is by grace, sin still produces temporal consequences even for believers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The physical manifestation of guilt or innocence was immediate and supernatural. This was not a natural medical condition but a divine sign. The public nature of the results ensured that both justice was seen to be done and that the community learned from the outcome.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the public manifestation of judgment serve both justice and communal instruction?
  2. What does the physical consequence of spiritual sin teach about the holistic nature of God's judgment?
  3. In what ways do temporal consequences of sin serve as warnings even under the gospel of grace?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְהִשְׁקָ֣הּ1 of 23

“And when he hath made her to drink”

H8248

to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to

אֶת2 of 23
H853

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

הַמַּ֤יִם3 of 23

“that the water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וְהָֽיְתָ֣ה4 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אִֽם5 of 23
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

נִטְמְאָה֮6 of 23

“then it shall come to pass that if she be defiled”

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

וַתִּמְעֹ֣ל7 of 23

“and have done”

H4603

properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., treacherously

מַ֣עַל8 of 23

“trespass”

H4604

treachery, i.e., sin

בְּאִישָׁהּ֒9 of 23

“against her husband”

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)

וּבָ֨אוּ10 of 23

“shall enter”

H935

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

בָ֜הּ11 of 23
H0
הַמַּ֤יִם12 of 23

“that the water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

הַמְאָֽרֲרִים֙13 of 23

“that causeth the curse”

H779

to execrate

לְמָרִ֔ים14 of 23

“into her and become bitter”

H4751

bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly

וְצָֽבְתָ֣ה15 of 23

“shall swell”

H6638

to amass, i.e., grow turgid; specifically, to array an army against

בִטְנָ֔הּ16 of 23

“and her belly”

H990

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

וְנָֽפְלָ֖ה17 of 23

“shall rot”

H5307

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

יְרֵכָ֑הּ18 of 23

“and her thigh”

H3409

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

וְהָֽיְתָ֧ה19 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הָֽאִשָּׁ֛ה20 of 23

“and the woman”

H802

a woman

לְאָלָ֖ה21 of 23

“shall be a curse”

H423

an imprecation

בְּקֶ֥רֶב22 of 23

“among”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

עַמָּֽהּ׃23 of 23

“her people”

H5971

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

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 5:27 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 5:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 8:13Jeremiah 29:18Jeremiah 42:18Jeremiah 24:9Isaiah 65:15Jeremiah 44:12

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