Numbers 5:21 Meaning and Explanation
“Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The priest pronounces that if the woman is guilty, God will make her a curse with physical suffering.
The Context of Numbers 5:21
The priest pronounces the curse for guilt.
What Does Numbers 5:21 Mean?
The curse is graphic and public—if guilty, the woman will become known as a cursed person among her people. The specific bodily effects described (swelling and decay) would be visible signs of guilt, serving as ongoing proof of her unfaithfulness and functioning as a permanent mark in the community.
This severe consequence underscores the seriousness with which ancient Israel treated covenant fidelity in marriage. The public nature of the punishment—becoming 'an oath among the people'—served as a deterrent and ensured that the truth became known to the community, not hidden.
Numbers 5:21 in the Original Language
curse (קְלָלָה, qelalah) means a pronouncement bringing harm or removal of blessing
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 5:21
What does Numbers 5:21 mean?
The priest pronounces that if the woman is guilty, God will make her a curse with physical suffering.
What is the context of Numbers 5:21?
The priest pronounces the curse for guilt.