Numbers 5:24

And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse,..... Having the curse imprecated upon herself, if guilty, scraped into it; and this she was obliged to drink, whether she would or not; so it is said, if the roll is blotted out, and she says I am defiled, the water is poured out, and her offering is scattered in the place of ashes; if the roll is blotted out, and she says I will not drink, then force her, and make her drink whether she will or no z:

and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, [and become] bitter; produce the sad and bitter effects mentioned.

z Misnah, ut supra, (Sotah) c. 3. sect. 3.