Numbers 5:13

13 and a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband and be kept secret, and she be defiled and there be no witness against her, neither be she 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 unto Moses, saying,

12 "Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them: `If any man's wife go astray and commit a trespass against him,

13 and a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband and be kept secret, and she be defiled and there be no witness against her, neither be she taken in the act,

14 and the spirit of jealousy come upon him and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled -- or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled--

15 then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest. And he shall bring her offering for her, a tenth part of an ephah of barley meal. He shall pour no oil upon it nor put frankincense thereon, for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.