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Numbers 5:20 - Adultery's bitter waters test?

Numbers 5:20 - במדבר 5:20

Hebrew Text

וְאַתְּ כִּי שָׂטִית תַּחַת אִישֵׁךְ וְכִי נִטְמֵאת וַיִּתֵּן אִישׁ בָּךְ אֶת־שְׁכָבְתּוֹ מִבַּלְעֲדֵי אִישֵׁךְ׃

English Translation

but if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee other than thy husband:

Transliteration

Ve'at ki satit tachat ishech vechi nitmeit vayiten ish bach et-shkevato mibal'adei ishech.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאַ֗תְּ כִּ֥י שָׂטִ֛ית תַּ֥חַת אִישֵׁ֖ךְ וְכִ֣י נִטְמֵ֑את וַיִּתֵּ֨ן אִ֥ישׁ בָּךְ֙ אֶת־שְׁכׇבְתּ֔וֹ מִֽבַּלְעֲדֵ֖י אִישֵֽׁךְ׃
וְאַ֗תְּ כִּ֥י שָׂטִ֛ית תַּ֥חַת אִישֵׁ֖ךְ וְכִ֣י נִטְמֵ֑את וַיִּתֵּ֨ן אִ֥ישׁ בָּךְ֙ אֶת־שְׁכׇבְתּ֔וֹ מִֽבַּלְעֲדֵ֖י אִישֵֽׁךְ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Numbers 5:20) is part of the passage detailing the laws of the Sotah—a woman suspected of adultery who undergoes a trial by the "bitter waters" in the Beit HaMikdash. The verse describes the accusation leveled against her if she has strayed from her husband.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) comments on the phrase "כי שטית תחת אישך" ("if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband"):

  • The term "שטית" (gone aside) implies deviating from the proper path, indicating a betrayal of the marital covenant.
  • Rashi emphasizes that this accusation is only valid if the husband had previously warned his wife in front of witnesses not to seclude herself with a particular man, and she nevertheless violated this warning.

Rambam's Legal Perspective

In Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Sotah 1:1), the Rambam (Maimonides) elaborates on the conditions for the Sotah procedure:

  • The husband must have clear suspicion based on his wife's seclusion with another man after his explicit warning.
  • The verse underscores the severity of "נטמאת" (defilement), which refers to a breach of kedushah (sanctity) in the marital relationship.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash Tanchuma (Naso 5) offers a deeper moral lesson:

  • The phrase "ויתן איש בך את שכבתו" ("some man have lain with thee") is interpreted as a warning against the destructive consequences of infidelity, which disrupts family unity and trust.
  • The Midrash connects this to the broader theme of moral vigilance, teaching that one must guard against temptation to avoid spiritual and communal harm.

Talmudic Discussion

In Masechet Sotah (2a), the Talmud discusses the gravity of the accusation:

  • The term "תחת אישך" ("instead of thy husband") implies that the act is not merely a sin against the husband but a violation of the divine covenant of marriage.
  • The Gemara notes that the Sotah ritual serves as both a test of innocence and a means to restore shalom bayit (domestic peace) when suspicion arises.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 9a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws concerning a woman suspected of adultery (Sotah), particularly regarding the consequences of her actions and the process of the bitter water ordeal.
📖 Yevamot 90b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the severity of adultery and its implications under Jewish law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 5:20 mean in the context of the Sotah ritual?
A: Numbers 5:20 is part of the Torah's description of the Sotah ritual, which deals with a woman suspected of adultery (when there are no witnesses). The verse describes the accusation—that she strayed from her husband and became defiled by another man. The Sotah procedure (described in the following verses) involves a special offering and a test to determine her innocence or guilt, as explained in the Talmud (Sotah 2a).
Q: Why does the Torah use the phrase 'gone aside' (שָׂטִית) in this verse?
A: The term 'gone aside' (שָׂטִית) implies a deliberate turning away from the proper path of marital fidelity. Rashi explains that this language emphasizes that the suspected woman has strayed from the moral and halachic (Jewish legal) boundaries set by the Torah for marriage. The word also connects to the term 'Sotah,' which refers to the entire procedure for dealing with this situation.
Q: How does Jewish law apply the concept of 'defilement' (נִטְמֵאת) in this verse?
A: In this context, 'defilement' (נִטְמֵאת) refers to a spiritual impurity resulting from forbidden relations. The Rambam (Hilchot Sotah 1:1-2) explains that this defilement is not the same as ritual impurity (tumah) but rather a moral transgression that damages the sanctity of the marital bond. The Torah treats this matter seriously, hence the detailed Sotah procedure to address suspicions.
Q: Does the Sotah ritual still apply today?
A: No, the Sotah ritual is not practiced today. The Talmud (Sotah 47a) states that the procedure was discontinued when adultery became widespread, and the Sanhedrin (Jewish high court) no longer functioned in its full capacity. However, the moral lessons about marital fidelity and the severity of forbidden relationships remain eternally relevant in Jewish law and ethics.
Q: What can we learn from Numbers 5:20 about marriage in Judaism?
A: This verse highlights the Torah's emphasis on trust and holiness in marriage. The Sotah ritual—though no longer practiced—teaches that marriage is a sacred bond that requires faithfulness. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 9:9) also explains that this law ultimately promotes peace between husband and wife by addressing suspicions in a structured, Divinely ordained manner.