What does Numbers 5:22 mean?
"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." - Numbers 5:22

Numbers 5:22 (KJV) reads, "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."
This verse is part of a passage that describes the process of the test for a woman suspected of unfaithfulness to her husband. It outlines the instructions given to the priest, who is to perform a ritual involving water and dust from the tabernacle floor, which the woman must drink as a part of the trial. If she is guilty, the water would cause her belly to swell and her thigh to rot, but if she is innocent, there would be no harmful effects.
The context of this verse is essential to understanding its meaning. In the ancient Israelite society, faithfulness was highly valued, and adultery brought severe consequences. The ritual described in this passage was designed to be a means of divine judgment, allowing God to intervene and reveal the truth about the woman's faithfulness.
The symbolism in this verse is rich and multi-layered. The water and dust mixture that the woman is instructed to drink represents the power of God and the divine intervention in human affairs. It signifies the idea that God is the ultimate judge and that he will bring about justice and truth.
The physical effects that the water is supposed to have on the woman if she is guilty – causing her belly to swell and her thigh to rot – symbolize the consequences of unfaithfulness and the divine punishment that awaits those who break the covenant of marriage. It serves as a warning to the community about the seriousness of adultery and its destructive effects not only on individuals but also on the social fabric.
The woman's declaration of "Amen, amen" after drinking the water symbolizes her acceptance of the divine judgment and her acknowledgment of God's authority as the ultimate arbiter of truth. It also serves as a statement of her innocence or guilt, as she aligns herself with the verdict that will follow.
One of the key themes in this verse is the contrast between human judgment and divine judgment. In the ancient Israelite society, human beings were fallible and prone to error, but the ritual described in this passage represents the idea that God's judgment is perfect and infallible. It highlights the importance of seeking divine guidance and intervention in matters of justice and truth.
Another important theme in this verse is the sanctity of marriage and the importance of faithfulness. The severity of the consequences for adultery, as described in this passage, underscores the sacredness of the marital covenant and the need for fidelity and commitment within the community.
Overall, Numbers 5:22 (KJV) is a powerful and evocative verse that speaks to the themes of divine judgment, the sanctity of marriage, and the consequences of unfaithfulness. It serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking God's guidance and intervention in matters of justice and truth and the need for fidelity and commitment in relationships.
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Numbers 5:22 Artwork
Numbers 5:22 - "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."
"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." - Numbers 5:22
Numbers 22:5 - "He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:"
Numbers 5:5 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Numbers 6:22 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Numbers 7:22 - "One kid of the goats for a sin offering:"
Numbers 33:22 - "And they journeyed from Rissah, and pitched in Kehelathah."
Numbers 11:5
Numbers 34:22 - "And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli."
Numbers 22:39 - "And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjath-huzoth."
Numbers 31:22 - "Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead,"
Numbers 28:22 - "And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you."
Numbers 22:9 - "And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?"
Numbers 2:22 - "Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni."
Numbers 26:22 - "These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred."
Numbers 4:22 - "Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families;"
Numbers 22:2 - "¶ And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites."
Numbers 22:15 - "¶ And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they."
Numbers 22:40 - "And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him."
Genesis 22-5
Numbers 22:24 - "But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side."
Numbers 23:22 - "God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn."
Numbers 22:1 - "And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho."
"¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying," - Numbers 5:5
Numbers 22:21 - "And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab."
Exodus 22:5
Exodus 22:5
Exodus 22:5
Numbers 13:5 - "Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori."
Numbers 5:1 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"