King James Version

What Does Numbers 5:30 Mean?

Numbers 5:30 in the King James Version says “Or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he be jealous over his wife, and shall set the woman before the LORD...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he be jealous over his wife, and shall set the woman before the LORD, and the priest shall execute upon her all this law.”

Numbers 5:30 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

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;

30

Or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he be jealous over his wife, and shall set the woman before the LORD, and the priest shall execute upon her all this law.

31

Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity, and this woman shall bear her iniquity.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The spirit of jealousy upon the husband initiates the entire procedure. The law recognizes that jealousy—whether justified or not—affects the marriage and requires resolution. The husband's bringing his wife to the priest demonstrates that personal suspicion must be submitted to divine judgment, not handled through private vengeance. This teaches that even our emotions and suspicions should be brought under God's authority and handled according to His prescribed means. The Reformed principle of bringing all of life under God's lordship applies even to our feelings.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Without this law, a jealous husband might have acted on mere suspicion, divorcing or punishing his wife without evidence. This procedure required him to bring the matter formally before God through the priest, submitting his jealousy to divine verification rather than acting on unverified emotion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should Christians handle suspicions and jealousies in relationships according to biblical principles?
  2. What does the requirement to bring jealousy before the Lord teach about submitting our emotions to God?
  3. In what ways does this law protect both the accuser and the accused while still addressing legitimate concerns?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
א֣וֹ1 of 22
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

אִ֗ישׁ2 of 22

“upon him”

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)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר3 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תַּֽעֲבֹ֥ר4 of 22

“cometh”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

עָלָ֛יו5 of 22
H5921

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

ר֥וּחַ6 of 22

“Or when the spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

קִנְאָ֖ה7 of 22

“of jealousy”

H7068

jealousy or envy

וְקִנֵּ֣א8 of 22

“and he be jealous”

H7065

to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious

אֶת9 of 22
H853

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

הָֽאִשָּׁה֙10 of 22

“over his wife”

H802

a woman

וְהֶֽעֱמִ֤יד11 of 22

“and shall set”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

אֶת12 of 22
H853

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

הָֽאִשָּׁה֙13 of 22

“over his wife”

H802

a woman

לִפְנֵ֣י14 of 22

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֔ה15 of 22

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וְעָ֤שָׂה16 of 22

“shall execute”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָהּ֙17 of 22
H0
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן18 of 22

“and the priest”

H3548

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

אֵ֥ת19 of 22
H853

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

כָּל20 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַתּוֹרָ֖ה21 of 22

“upon her all this law”

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

הַזֹּֽאת׃22 of 22
H2063

this (often used adverb)

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 5:30 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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