Numbers 5:28 - Pure wife conceives divine blessing

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Hebrew Text

וְאִם־לֹא נִטְמְאָה הָאִשָּׁה וּטְהֹרָה הִוא וְנִקְּתָה וְנִזְרְעָה זָרַע׃

English Translation

And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.

Transliteration

Ve'im-lo nitme'a ha'ishah ut'horah hi venik'tah venizr'ah zara.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאִם־לֹ֤א נִטְמְאָה֙ הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה וּטְהֹרָ֖ה הִ֑וא וְנִקְּתָ֖ה וְנִזְרְעָ֥ה זָֽרַע׃

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Numbers 5:28) is part of the passage detailing the laws of the Sotah (a woman suspected of adultery), where a wife undergoes a trial by bitter waters (mei hamarim) to determine her innocence or guilt. If she is found innocent, this verse states she will be cleared of suspicion and blessed with offspring.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) comments that the phrase "וְנִקְּתָה" ("she shall be free") means she is acquitted of the suspicion of adultery. Regarding "וְנִזְרְעָה זָרַע" ("and shall conceive seed"), Rashi explains that if she was previously childless, she will now merit to bear children as a reward for undergoing this difficult ordeal with faith. This aligns with the Talmudic principle (Sotah 26a) that righteous suffering can lead to divine blessing.

Rambam's Perspective

Maimonides (Rambam) in Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Sotah 3:21) emphasizes that the Sotah ritual was a miraculous process designed to reveal truth. If innocent, the woman would not only be vindicated but also receive a blessing of fertility—demonstrating that God rewards those who endure trials for the sake of sanctifying His name.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Tanchuma (Naso 9) teaches that this verse hints at the power of repentance and divine mercy. Even if the woman had sinful thoughts but did not act on them, her public ordeal atones for her, allowing her to "conceive seed" as a new beginning.
Bamidbar Rabbah (9:21) notes that the blessing of children is specifically mentioned because the Sotah ordeal revolves around the sanctity of marriage and its purpose of building a faithful household.

Halachic Implications

The Talmud (Sotah 26a) discusses whether the blessing of conception applies only if the woman was previously barren or even if she already had children. Rabbi Akiva holds that it is a general blessing for increased fertility, while the Sages limit it to those who lacked children. The Shulchan Aruch does not rule definitively but acknowledges both views, leaving room for divine discretion.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 26a

The verse is discussed in the context of the laws concerning a woman suspected of adultery (Sotah) and the consequences if she is found to be clean.

📖 Niddah 31b

The verse is referenced in a discussion about purity and conception, relating to the laws of family purity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 5:28 mean in the context of the Sotah ritual?
A: Numbers 5:28 concludes the Sotah ritual, where a woman suspected of adultery undergoes a test. If she is innocent ('not defiled, but clean'), she is declared free of guilt and is blessed with the ability to conceive children. Rashi explains that this verse shows G-d's justice—innocent women would be rewarded with pregnancy if they previously struggled to conceive.

Q: Why is the phrase 'and shall conceive seed' mentioned in this verse?
A: The phrase 'and shall conceive seed' is a blessing for the innocent woman. The Talmud (Sotah 26a) teaches that if she was previously childless or had difficult pregnancies, she would now be granted healthy children as a reward for her purity and faithfulness. Rambam (Hilchos Sotah 3:21) also notes this as a divine kindness.

Q: How does this verse demonstrate G-d's fairness?
A: This verse shows G-d's fairness by proving that the Sotah ritual was not just a test of suspicion but also a means to publicly clear an innocent woman's name. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 9:12) emphasizes that G-d ensures justice—punishing the guilty while rewarding and protecting the innocent.

Q: Does this verse have any relevance today even though we no longer perform the Sotah ritual?
A: While the Sotah ritual is not practiced today (it ended when the Second Temple was destroyed), the lesson remains relevant: G-d knows the truth and ultimately rewards righteousness. The Talmud (Berachos 5a) teaches that suffering or challenges can lead to greater blessings, similar to how the innocent Sotah was rewarded with children.