Numbers 5:31 Meaning and Explanation
“Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity, and this woman shall bear her iniquity.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The husband is freed from guilt, and the woman bears the consequences of her own sin.
The Context of Numbers 5:31
Judgment results: husband is clear, guilty woman bears her sin.
What Does Numbers 5:31 Mean?
This verse applies specifically to the guilty case—when the bitter water test has revealed infidelity. The husband, who brought the matter to God through the priest, is declared guiltless. His responsibility ends once he has sought divine judgment; he bears no guilt for the consequences that follow.
The woman who is found guilty 'bears her iniquity'—she alone carries the weight of her transgression and its consequences. This principle of personal responsibility shows that while the test required the husband's action to initiate, the judgment and consequences are fundamentally her own. She cannot blame others for having chosen infidelity or for having been caught.
Numbers 5:31 in the Original Language
iniquity (עָוֹן, avon) means wrongdoing or the guilt that attaches to it
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 5:31
What does Numbers 5:31 mean?
The husband is freed from guilt, and the woman bears the consequences of her own sin.
What is the context of Numbers 5:31?
Judgment results: husband is clear, guilty woman bears her sin.