Numbers 5:19

19 Then the priest will put the woman under oath and say, 'If no man has slept with you and you have not had an adulterous affair and become impure while married to your husband, may this bitter water that delivers a curse not harm you.

Numbers 5:19 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 5:19

And the priest shall charge her by an oath
Or give her her oath:

and say unto the woman, if no man hath lain with thee:
besides her husband:

and thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness [with another] instead of
thy husband;
which is but another phrase expressive of the same thing, the sin of adultery:

be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse;
if this is the case, it shall produce no bitter effects, or bring any curse upon thee.

Numbers 5:19 In-Context

17 He is to take some holy water in a pottery jar and put some dust from the floor of The Dwelling in the water.
18 After the priest has her stand in the presence of God he is to uncover her hair and place the exposure-offering in her hands, the Grain-Offering for jealousy, while he holds the bitter water that delivers a curse.
19 Then the priest will put the woman under oath and say, 'If no man has slept with you and you have not had an adulterous affair and become impure while married to your husband, may this bitter water that delivers a curse not harm you.
20 But if you have had an affair while married to your husband and have defiled yourself by sleeping with a man other than your husband' -
21 here the priest puts the woman under this curse - 'may God cause your people to curse and revile you when he makes your womb shrivel and your belly swell.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.