Numbers 5

[bloom]

Greetings!

In discussing the issue of adultery (the suspicion of adultery) a Rabbi said, "In such cases we follow the prescription of Numbers 5". He went on to explain that a woman in such a case who denies guilt, yet is guilty, will die the death related in those passages.

Is this fellow off track or do we still practice such things in this age under the Messianic Priesthood?

 

[Wags]

Numbers 5 doesn't say that the woman in question will die. But it does say she will be cursed if she is lying about her guilt and she will not bear any children.

However, since there isn't currently a temple, nor a cohen (high priest) to conduct the ceremony, it is not something that can be acted upon at present.

 

[bloom]

Numbers 5 doesn't say that the woman in question will die. But it does say she will be cursed if she is lying about her guilt and she will not bear any children.

However, since there isn't currently a temple, nor a cohen (high priest) to conduct the ceremony, it is not something that can be acted upon at present.

I must confess to being ignorant of this issue, but the Rabbi told me the woman would die an awful death if she was hiding this sin. I don't know exactly how the ritual would be executed and frankly don't think I want to discuss the matter with him again.

I'm glad it didn't only seem odd to me. Since we had this discussion I've talked to another Rabbi who told me it wasn't possible to do such a thing anymore.

It was also strange to me that a Rabbi would suggest such a thing at all. Perhaps I'm ignorant (wouldn't be the first time). But his suggestion was that if a man is suspicious of a woman's faithfulness that this is the sure way to discover it.

 

[bloom]

I just read Numbers 5 again and you're right it doesn't say the woman will die, but it does say her thigh will rot, her belly will swell and she will be a curse among her people.

What would the husband do with her then?

 

[Wags]

I just read Numbers 5 again and you're right it doesn't say the woman will die, but it does say her thigh will rot, her belly will swell and she will be a curse among her people.

What would the husband do with her then?

Try reading it in a few different translations - thigh is usually a term that actually refers to genitals. Bascially she would be barren - unable to have children. It does not say specifically that this would be grounds for divorce, although adultry is. So I guess that he could divorce her.

 

[bloom]

Try reading it in a few different translations - thigh is usually a term that actually refers to genitals. Bascially she would be barren - unable to have children. It does not say specifically that this would be grounds for divorce, although adultry is. So I guess that he could divorce her.

What I thought was great about this scripture is it's seems to be a full proof method of discovering if a wife is faithful. What I thought was frightening was the consequences if she was not.

Is there any such test for men also? Only seems fair, doesn't it? Guess it doesn't matter, since we don't practice these things any longer. I'm glad I wasn't born in that period of time!

I'll take your advice and look it up in various translations and in the Strong's.

Thanks!