29 " 'This, then, is the law of jealousy when a woman goes astray and makes herself impure while married to her husband,
29 This is the law of jealousies, when a wife goeth aside to another instead of her husband, and is defiled;
29 "This is the law in cases of jealousy, when a wife, though under her husband's authority, goes astray and defiles herself,
29 "This is the law of jealousy in a case where a woman goes off and has an affair and defiles herself while married to her husband,
29 'This is the law of jealousy, when a wife, while under her husband's authority, goes astray and defiles herself,
29 "This is the ritual law for dealing with suspicion. If a woman goes astray and defiles herself while under her husband's authority,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 5:29
Commentary on Numbers 5:11-31
(Read Numbers 5:11-31)
This law would make the women of Israel watch against giving cause for suspicion. On the other hand, it would hinder the cruel treatment such suspicions might occasion. It would also hinder the guilty from escaping, and the innocent from coming under just suspicion. When no proof could be brought, the wife was called on to make this solemn appeal to a heart-searching God. No woman, if she were guilty, could say "Amen" to the adjuration, and drink the water after it, unless she disbelieved the truth of God, or defied his justice. The water is called the bitter water, because it caused the curse. Thus sin is called an evil and a bitter thing. Let all that meddle with forbidden pleasures, know that they will be bitterness in the latter end. From the whole learn, 1. Secret sins are known to God, and sometimes are strangely brought to light in this life; and that there is a day coming when God will, by Christ, judge the secrets of men according to the gospel, Romans 2:16. 2 In particular, Whoremongers and adulterers God will surely judge. Though we have not now the waters of jealousy, yet we have God's word, which ought to be as great a terror. Sensual lusts will end in bitterness. 3. God will manifest the innocency of the innocent. The same providence is for good to some, and for hurt to others. And it will answer the purposes which God intends.