Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
Numbers 5:11,12
Maintaining Harmony In The Camp: The Law of Jealousy (Numbers 5:11).
Primary with regard to trespasses against a neighbour was to trespass against his wife. This was an especially heinous trespass which deeply defiled the camp, and if proved would incur the death penalty. It was of vital importance for the holiness of the camp and the wellbeing of Israel that marriage relationships be kept strong and vibrant, and that sexual relations took place only between husband and wife. Nothing was considered to be more disruptive to society than a marriage torn by suspicions and division, and rights of inheritance had to be preserved so as to ensure that the inheritance went to the true heir. Furthermore adultery defiled the camp. If it was not dealt with Yahweh could not dwell there.
On the one hand this was one area above all where the ‘trespasser' would retain a firm silence. He/she would not be likely to reveal their guilt, for to admit to such a trespass would basically be to commit suicide. It incurred the death penalty. On the other there was the problem of the disruption that could be caused in the camp by even the suspicion of adultery, and the affect it could have on Yahweh's earthly dwelling with them. Suspicion of adultery could not only cause great distress to the suspicious husband, it could cause even greater distress to an innocent wife. She may be refused the right to produce children. She may even be driven to suicide or back into her parent's home as a deserted wife. This could then cause bitterness between two families which could divide the community. It was a position fraught with danger. And it defiled the camp.
The ‘law of jealousy', which might at first seem unfair to the wife, catered for such a situation. In a society where women were closely guarded, and where secrecy was difficult because of the crowded lifestyle, the spirit of jealousy would usually have some foundation. But whether it had or not, once it was really raised it would not easily lie down. It would be seen as important that there be some way of resolving it. And this is provided here, under the supervision of Yahweh.
We must recognise that this law was not discriminatory against women. If there was discrimination anywhere it was in the fact that a man was not actually forbidden to have more than one wife, and therefore could not be found in this position, although if he was caught in adultery he would be put to death. This law actually demonstrated concern that an innocent woman should not go through life seen as guilty, and with the bearing of children refused to her (which in those days would have been seen as a huge punishment both by her and by others). Yahweh was as concerned to free the innocent woman from blame as He was to convict the guilty. But the whole procedure does bring out how heinous God sees sexual sin to be. It is seen as a sin which goes against the very basis of creation (Genesis 2:24). It defiles the company of the people of God. It is a high handed sin, a flaunting in the face of God, a sin against the very basis of society from the beginning, a capital crime, a crime deserving of death. It is not for nothing that the Scriptures forbid official office in the church to those who have had more than one sexual partner (repeated three times for emphasis (1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 3:12; Titus 1:6)).
However what follows is not neutral. While the possibly innocent wife is kept in mind it is the adulterous wife who is the main target of the passage. The aim is to root out the defilement caused by secret adultery.
Analysis.
a A man's wife goes aside and commits adultery secretly (Numbers 5:11).
b The adultery is hidden from her husband and there is no witness (Numbers 5:13).
c The spirit of jealousy comes on the man whether she is defiled or not (Numbers 5:14).
d The man brings his wife to the priest with an offering of memorial (Numbers 5:15).
e The woman brought near and the priest makes the water of testing (Numbers 5:16).
f The woman is made to stand before Yahweh as prepared by the priest (Numbers 5:18).
g The priest charges her with an oath to speak truly (Numbers 5:19).
g The priest charges the woman with an oath of cursing (Numbers 5:21).
f The woman is made to drink the water of testing before Yahweh (Numbers 5:23).
e The priest takes the jealousy offering from the hand of the woman (Numbers 5:25).
d The priest bring the man's offering of memorial before Yahweh and makes her drink the water (Numbers 5:26).
c If the woman is defiled her body will swell and she shall be a curse (Numbers 5:27).
b If she is innocent she will be revealed as clean and shall be free of blame for hidden adultery (Numbers 5:28).
a This is the law of jealousy for when a woman goes aside and commits adultery, or is suspected of it, freeing her husband from any guilt in regard to it (Numbers 5:29).
The Case of a Man's Wife Who Goes Aside and Commits Adultery Secretly (Numbers 5:11).
‘And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,'
Once again it is emphasised that we have here Yahweh's word to Moses.
“ Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, If any man's wife go aside, and commit a trespass against him, and a man lie with her carnally.”
The case is laid out. Adulterous women in the camp must be sought out and dealt with. The example is of a woman who has genuinely betrayed her husband. She had defrauded her husband. She had ‘committed a trespass' against him for which nothing could compensate. She had lain with another man in secret. By it she had become defiled even though there was no witness against her and she was not ‘caught in the act'. Furthermore through her defilement the holy camp of Israel had been defiled. A defiled person was among them. Covenant unity and purity had been spoiled. It was a serious situation. Of course, while no one had any suspicion on the matter nothing could be done. Such secret sins would have to be left in the hands of Yahweh, and the daily offerings and the Day of Atonement would atone for the defilement as far as Israel was concerned. But once there was genuine suspicion that it might be so the case must be followed up and dealt with.
This provision actually enhances women's status. It was seen that under God child producing was primarily her domain. It was her God-given responsibility. It was her prime responsibility to guard all that was connected with it. While man ruled the world, the woman ruled the cradle, and in that lay the whole significance of creation.