Numbers 5:24

24 And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, [and become] bitter.

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 And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make [thy] belly to swell, and [thy] thigh to perish. And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.

23 And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot [them] out with the bitter water:

24 And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, [and become] bitter.

25 Then the priest shall take the jealousy-offering out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the offering before the LORD, and offer it upon the altar:

26 And the priest shall take a handful of the offering, [even] the memorial of it, and burn [it] upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water.