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Numbers 5:27 - Divine test for marital fidelity?

Numbers 5:27 - במדבר 5:27

Hebrew Text

וְהִשְׁקָהּ אֶת־הַמַּיִם וְהָיְתָה אִם־נִטְמְאָה וַתִּמְעֹל מַעַל בְּאִישָׁהּ וּבָאוּ בָהּ הַמַּיִם הַמְאָרֲרִים לְמָרִים וְצָבְתָה בִטְנָהּ וְנָפְלָה יְרֵכָהּ וְהָיְתָה הָאִשָּׁה לְאָלָה בְּקֶרֶב עַמָּהּ׃

English Translation

And when he has made her drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causes the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away: and the woman shall be a curse among her people.

Transliteration

Vehishkah et hamayim vehayta im nitme'ah vatima'ol ma'al be'ishah uva'u vah hamayim hame'ararim lemarim vetzaftah vitnah venafelah yerekhah vehayta ha'ishah le'alah bekerev amah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהִשְׁקָ֣הּ אֶת־הַמַּ֗יִם וְהָיְתָ֣ה אִֽם־נִטְמְאָה֮ וַתִּמְעֹ֣ל מַ֣עַל בְּאִישָׁהּ֒ וּבָ֨אוּ בָ֜הּ הַמַּ֤יִם הַמְאָֽרְרִים֙ לְמָרִ֔ים וְצָבְתָ֣ה בִטְנָ֔הּ וְנָפְלָ֖ה יְרֵכָ֑הּ וְהָיְתָ֧ה הָאִשָּׁ֛ה לְאָלָ֖ה בְּקֶ֥רֶב עַמָּֽהּ׃
וְהִשְׁקָ֣הּ אֶת־הַמַּ֗יִם וְהָיְתָ֣ה אִֽם־נִטְמְאָה֮ וַתִּמְעֹ֣ל מַ֣עַל בְּאִישָׁהּ֒ וּבָ֨אוּ בָ֜הּ הַמַּ֤יִם הַמְאָֽרְרִים֙ לְמָרִ֔ים וְצָבְתָ֣ה בִטְנָ֔הּ וְנָפְלָ֖ה יְרֵכָ֑הּ וְהָיְתָ֧ה הָאִשָּׁ֛ה לְאָלָ֖ה בְּקֶ֥רֶב עַמָּֽהּ׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Sotah Ritual in Jewish Law

This verse describes the procedure of the sotah (suspected adulteress) as outlined in Bamidbar (Numbers) 5:11-31. The Torah prescribes a unique ritual to determine whether a woman who secluded herself with another man against her husband's warnings was guilty of adultery. The process involves drinking "bitter waters" (mei hame'rarim) prepared with dust from the Tabernacle floor and dissolved text of a sacred oath.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (on Numbers 5:27) explains that the phrase "her belly shall swell" refers to a supernatural physical reaction that would occur if she was guilty. The "falling of the thigh" is understood by Rashi as a euphemism for the collapse of her reproductive organs, rendering her infertile. This aligns with the Talmud's discussion in Sotah 20a which describes how the waters would affect her reproductive system if guilty.

Maimonides' Perspective

Rambam (Maimonides) in Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Sotah 3:17 emphasizes that this entire procedure was a miraculous test that would only work during the time when the Divine Presence rested in the Tabernacle or Temple. He notes that the waters would have no effect on an innocent woman, even if she had other sins.

Symbolism of the Ritual

  • The use of Temple dust (afar hamishkan) connects the test to the sacred space where God's presence dwells (Talmud Sotah 17a)
  • The dissolved text of the oath represents how her actions, if guilty, have erased the sacred covenant of marriage
  • The bitter waters parallel the bitterness brought into the marital relationship through suspected infidelity

Halachic Context

The Talmud (Sotah 2a) teaches that this procedure was only enacted when there were no witnesses to the alleged act, and only when the husband had warned his wife against seclusion with a particular man. The Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 178) notes that the sotah ritual is no longer practiced after the destruction of the Temple, as it required the presence of the Divine Presence in the Holy Temple.

Moral Lessons

The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 9:46) derives from this passage the importance of maintaining marital fidelity and the severe consequences of violating sacred relationships. The public nature of becoming "a curse among her people" serves as a deterrent against secret sins, teaching that ultimately all actions are known before God.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 20a
The verse is discussed in the context of the Sotah ritual, where a woman suspected of adultery is made to drink bitter waters to determine her guilt or innocence.
📖 Sotah 26b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the effects of the bitter waters and the consequences for the woman if she is guilty.
📖 Yoma 75a
The verse is mentioned in a broader discussion about divine justice and the consequences of sin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of the 'bitter waters' test in Numbers 5:27?
A: The 'bitter waters' (מי המרים) described in Numbers 5:27 refer to a special test given to a woman suspected of adultery (Sotah) when there are no witnesses. According to Jewish tradition, if she was guilty, the waters would cause physical effects as described in the verse. If innocent, she would be blessed (Talmud Sotah 26a). This was a miraculous process to resolve marital doubts.
Q: Why was the Sotah ritual performed in the Temple?
A: The Sotah ritual was performed in the Temple because it involved sacred procedures, including writing G-d's name on a scroll and dissolving it in the water (Rashi on Numbers 5:23). The Kohen (priest) administered it to emphasize the seriousness of marital fidelity and to invoke Divine judgment in cases where human courts lacked evidence (Mishnah Sotah 1:4).
Q: What lesson can we learn from the Sotah passage today?
A: The Sotah passage teaches the sanctity of marriage and the severe consequences of betrayal. Though the ritual is no longer practiced (it ended when the Temple was destroyed), the Torah emphasizes trust and faithfulness in relationships. Rambam (Hilchot Sotah) explains that the public nature of the process also served as a deterrent against improper behavior.
Q: What does 'her thigh shall fall away' mean in this verse?
A: The phrase 'her thigh shall fall away' (ונפלה יריכה) is understood by Rashi and the Talmud (Sotah 8b) as a euphemism for the collapse of her reproductive organs, symbolizing the loss of her ability to bear children. This was part of the Divine punishment for violating the marital covenant, showing how seriously the Torah views the sanctity of marriage.
Q: Why does the Torah call the woman 'a curse among her people' in this verse?
A: The term 'a curse among her people' (לאלה בקרב עמה) means her fate would serve as a warning to others about the consequences of adultery (Rashi). The Talmud (Sotah 7b) explains that her punishment was public to reinforce societal values of marital purity and to discourage others from similar sins.