Numbers 5:26 Meaning and Explanation
“And the priest shall take an handful of the offering, even the memorial thereof, and burn it upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A memorial portion of the offering is burned, and then the woman drinks the water.
The Context of Numbers 5:26
The memorial portion is burned before the test.
What Does Numbers 5:26 Mean?
The priests partaking of a handful of the offering follows standard practice for grain offerings. The memorial portion—the part burned on the altar—represents the offering as a whole being presented to God. This ceremonial act frames the test as a sacred matter requiring divine attention.
The sequence—offering made, memorial burned, then the woman drinks—shows the test is performed within a fully consecrated context. The woman does not drink in isolation but as part of a complete ritual structure that appeals to God's presence and judgment throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 5:26
What does Numbers 5:26 mean?
A memorial portion of the offering is burned, and then the woman drinks the water.
What is the context of Numbers 5:26?
The memorial portion is burned before the test.