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Numbers 5:31 - Husband's purity, wife's consequence?

Numbers 5:31 - במדבר 5:31

Hebrew Text

וְנִקָּה הָאִישׁ מֵעָוֺן וְהָאִשָּׁה הַהִוא תִּשָּׂא אֶת־עֲוֺנָהּ׃

English Translation

then shall the man be guiltless of iniquity, and this woman shall bear her iniquity.

Transliteration

Venika ha'ish me'avon veha'isha hahi tisa et-avonah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְנִקָּ֥ה הָאִ֖ישׁ מֵעָוֺ֑ן וְהָאִשָּׁ֣ה הַהִ֔וא תִּשָּׂ֖א אֶת־עֲוֺנָֽהּ׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
וְנִקָּ֥ה הָאִ֖ישׁ מֵעָוֺ֑ן וְהָאִשָּׁ֣ה הַהִ֔וא תִּשָּׂ֖א אֶת־עֲוֺנָֽהּ׃ {פ}

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Numbers 5:31) appears in the Torah portion discussing the sotah (a woman suspected of adultery) and the ritual of the bitter waters (mei hamarim). The verse concludes the procedure, stating that if the woman is guilty, she will bear the consequences of her sin, while the husband is absolved of any wrongdoing in bringing her to trial.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) comments that the phrase "וְנִקָּה הָאִישׁ מֵעָוֺן" ("the man shall be guiltless of iniquity") means the husband is cleared from any sin in this matter, provided he had no prior knowledge of his wife's misconduct. If he did know and still brought her to trial, he would not be innocent. Rashi emphasizes that the husband must be completely free of suspicion himself.

Rambam's Perspective

In Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Sotah 1:1-2), the Rambam (Maimonides) explains that the sotah ritual is only applicable when the husband is entirely free of sin in marital matters. If the husband himself was unfaithful, the waters would not test his wife. This aligns with the principle that Divine justice does not operate in a case where the accuser is also guilty.

Talmudic Insights

The Talmud (Sotah 47b) discusses the conditions under which a husband may bring his wife to the sotah trial. It states that if the husband warned his wife in front of witnesses and she subsequently secluded herself with another man, the process may proceed. However, if the husband himself engaged in improper behavior, the ritual is invalidated, reinforcing the verse's implication of the husband's innocence.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash Tanchuma (Naso 6) elaborates that the phrase "וְהָאִשָּׁה הַהִוא תִּשָּׂא אֶת־עֲוֺנָהּ" ("this woman shall bear her iniquity") teaches that the punishment is exact measure for measure. Just as she sinned in secret, her shame is revealed publicly. The Midrash also notes that if she repents sincerely, she may be spared the consequences, demonstrating Hashem's mercy even in judgment.

Halachic Implications

  • The husband must be morally upright to initiate the sotah process.
  • The ritual serves as both a test and a deterrent, upholding marital sanctity.
  • The verse underscores individual accountability—each person bears responsibility for their own actions.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 28a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws concerning a woman suspected of adultery (Sotah), where it is cited to explain the consequences for the woman and the innocence of the man if she is found guilty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 5:31 mean in the context of the Sotah ritual?
A: Numbers 5:31 concludes the laws of the Sotah (a woman suspected of adultery). It states that if the husband was not at fault (i.e., he warned his wife properly and had no history of misconduct), he is cleared of guilt ('וְנִקָּה הָאִישׁ'), while the wife bears the consequences if she was unfaithful ('וְהָאִשָּׁה תִּשָּׂא אֶת־עֲוֺנָהּ'). Rashi explains this emphasizes the husband's innocence in this specific procedure.
Q: Why is the husband declared 'guiltless' in Numbers 5:31?
A: The Torah declares the husband innocent to clarify that the Sotah ritual only applies if he acted with integrity—meaning he gave his wife a proper warning in front of witnesses (see Talmud, Sotah 2a) and was himself free of wrongdoing (Rambam, Hilchot Sotah 1:7). This prevents false accusations or misuse of the law.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Numbers 5:31 about justice?
A: This verse teaches the importance of fairness in judgment. The Torah protects both parties: the husband must be beyond reproach, and the wife’s guilt is determined through a divine process (the bitter waters). The Talmud (Sotah 7b) notes this law was rarely applied, showing Judaism’s emphasis on avoiding suspicion and maintaining trust in marriages.
Q: How does Numbers 5:31 relate to repentance?
A: While the verse focuses on consequences for wrongdoing, the Talmud (Sotah 20a) states that if the woman repented sincerely before drinking the waters, she would be spared—highlighting that even in severe cases, repentance matters. The 'bearing of iniquity' here refers only to those unrepentant (Midrash Tanchuma, Naso 9).