Numbers 5:24

24 and make the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse. If she is guilty, the water will make her sick.

Numbers 5:24 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 5:24

And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that
causeth the curse
. Having the curse imprecated upon herself, if guilty, scraped into it; and this she was obliged to drink, whether she would or not; so it is said, if the roll is blotted out, and she says I am defiled, the water is poured out, and her offering is scattered in the place of ashes; if the roll is blotted out, and she says I will not drink, then force her, and make her drink whether she will or no ^F26:

and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, [and become]
bitter;
produce the sad and bitter effects mentioned.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Misnah, ut supra, (Sotah) c. 3. sect. 3.

Numbers 5:24 In-Context

22 This water that brings a curse will go inside you and make your body unable to give birth to another baby." "'The woman must say, "I agree."

23 "'The priest should write these curses on a scroll, wash the words off into the bitter water,

24 and make the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse. If she is guilty, the water will make her sick.

25 Then the priest will take the grain offering for jealousy from her. He will present it before the Lord and bring it to the altar.

26 He will take a handful of the grain, which is a memorial offering, and burn it on the altar. After that he will make the woman drink the water