Numbers 5:13

13 if a man ¹lies with her sexually, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband, and she is undetected though she has defiled herself, and there is no witness against her, ²since she was not taken in the act,

Numbers 5:13 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 5:13

And a man lie with her carnally
That is, is suspected that he has so done, not that it is a clear case, for it follows;

and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close;
so that it is not known by her husband, nor by any other; "she hath hid herself", so Ainsworth, being in a private place with another man, though warned to the contrary by her husband:

and she be defiled, and [there be] no witness against her;
of her being defiled, though there may be of her being in private with such a man:

neither she be taken [with the manner];
or in the act of uncleanness.

Numbers 5:13 In-Context

11 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

12 "Speak to the people of Israel, If any man's wife goes astray and breaks faith with him,

13 if a man lies with her sexually, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband, and she is undetected though she has defiled herself, and there is no witness against her, since she was not taken in the act,

14 and if the spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife who has defiled herself, or if the spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife, though she has not defiled herself,

15 then the man shall bring his wife to the priest and bring the offering required of her, a tenth of an ephah of barley flour. He shall pour no oil on it and put no frankincense on it, for it is a grain offering of jealousy, a grain offering of remembrance, bringing iniquity to remembrance.

Cross References

• 1. Leviticus 18:20
• 2. John 8:4