Numbers 5:18

Uncover the woman's head, &c.— The priest was first to take off the woman's head-attire that she might appear as a mourner; see Leviticus 21.

10 and as the covering of the head betokens the woman's subjection and chastity, 1 Corinthians 11:10 it was fitly taken away, says Bishop Kidder, as a sign that her fidelity and dutiful subjection were questioned: after this, the jealousy-offering was to be put into the woman's hand, the priest having in his hand the bitter water which causeth the curse; which may be so called from the bitter effects, and the horrible curse which it produced, in case of guilt: terms by no means improper for it, though it might happen to be taken by chaste and worthy women whose innocence was called in question. Proverbs 5:4.