SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:29
Esta es la ley de los celos, cuando la mujer errare estando en poder de su marido, y se contaminare;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Numbers 5:29
Verse 29. This is the law of jealousies] And this is the most singular law in the whole Pentateuch: a law that seems to have been copied by almost all the nations of the earth, whether civilized or barbarian, as we find that similar modes of trial for suspected offenses were used when complete evidence was wanting to convict; and where it was expected that the object of their worship would interfere for the sake of justice, in order that the guilty should be brought to punishment, and the innocent be cleared. For general information on this head see at the end of this chapter.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 29. This [is] the law of jealousies , etc.] Which was appointed by God to deter wives from adultery, and preserve the people of Israel, the worshippers of him, from having a spurious brood among them; and to keep husbands from being cruel to their wives they might be jealous of, and to protect virtue and innocence, and to detect lewdness committed in the most secret manner; whereby God gave proof of his omniscience, that he had knowledge of the most private acts of uncleanness, and was the avenger of all such. The reasons why such a law was not made equally in favour of women, as of men, are supposed to be these: because of the greater authority of the man over the woman, which would seem to be lessened, if such a power was granted her; because marriage was not so much hurt, or so much damage came to families by the adultery of men, as of women; because women are more apt to be suspicious than men, and in those times more prone to adultery, through their eager desire of children, that they might not lie under reproach f59 : when a wife goeth aside [to another] instead of her husband, and is defiled ; is suspected of going aside to another man, and is supposed to be defiled by him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 suc suspicions might occasion. It would also hinder the guilty from escaping, and the innocent from coming under just suspicion. When n proof could be brought, the wife was called on to make this solem appeal to a heart-searching God. No woman, if she were guilty, coul say "Amen" to the adjuration, and drink the water after it, unless sh disbelieved the truth of God, or defied his justice. The water i called the bitter water, because it caused the curse. Thus sin is called an evil and a bitter thing. Let all that meddle with forbidde pleasures, know that they will be bitterness in the latter end. From the whole learn, 1. Secret sins are known to God, and sometimes ar strangely brought to light in this life; and that there is a day comin when God will, by Christ, judge the secrets of men according to the gospel, Ro 2:16. 2 In particular, Whoremongers and adulterers God wil 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 lust 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 __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
זאת 2063 תורת 8451 הקנאת 7068 אשׁר 834 תשׂטה 7847 אשׁה 802 תחת 8478 אישׁה 376 ונטמאה׃ 2930
