Numbers 5:24
New International Version
He shall make the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and this water that brings a curse and causes bitter suffering will enter her.

New Living Translation
He will make the woman drink the bitter water that brings on the curse. When the water enters her body, it will cause bitter suffering if she is guilty.

English Standard Version
And he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that brings the curse, and the water that brings the curse shall enter into her and cause bitter pain.

Berean Standard Bible
He is to have the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and it will enter her and may cause her bitter suffering.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And he shall make the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and the water that brings the curse shall enter her to become bitter.

New American Standard Bible
Then he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that brings a curse, so that the water which brings a curse will go into her and cause bitterness.

NASB 1995
Then he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that brings a curse, so that the water which brings a curse will go into her and cause bitterness.

NASB 1977
‘Then he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that brings a curse, so that the water which brings a curse will go into her and cause bitterness.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that brings curses, so that the water which brings a curse will go into her to cause bitterness.

Amplified Bible
and he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that brings a curse, and the water that brings the curse will go into her and cause bitterness.

Christian Standard Bible
He will require the woman to drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and it will enter her to cause bitter suffering.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He will require the woman to drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and it will enter her and cause bitter suffering.

American Standard Version
and he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that causeth the curse; and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her and become bitter.

Contemporary English Version
so that when the woman drinks this water, the curses will enter her body.

English Revised Version
and he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her and become bitter.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then he will have the woman drink the bitter water that can bring the curse. This water will go into her [and] become bitter.

Good News Translation
Before he makes the woman drink the water, which may then cause her bitter pain,

International Standard Version
The woman is to drink the bitter water that brings a curse and the water that brings a curse is to be considered contaminated.

Majority Standard Bible
He is to have the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and it will enter her and cause her bitter suffering.

NET Bible
He will make the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and the water that brings a curse will enter her to produce bitterness.

New Heart English Bible
He shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that causes the curse; and the water that causes the curse shall enter into her and become bitter.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
He shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that causes the curse; and the water that causes the curse shall enter into her and become bitter.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and has caused the woman to drink the bitter waters which cause the curse, and the waters which cause the curse have entered into her for bitter things.

Young's Literal Translation
and hath caused the woman to drink the bitter waters which cause the curse, and the waters which cause the curse have entered into her for bitter things.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he caused the woman to drink the water of contradiction causing the curse; and the waters causing the curse shall come into her for contradiction.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he shall give them her to drink. And when she hath drunk them up,

Catholic Public Domain Version
and he shall give it to her to drink. And when she has emptied it,

New American Bible
and he will have the woman drink the water of bitterness that brings a curse, so that the water that brings a curse may enter into her to her bitter hurt.

New Revised Standard Version
He shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that brings the curse, and the water that brings the curse shall enter her and cause bitter pain.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he shall make the woman drink the bitter water of testing; and the water of testing shall enter into her, to try her.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the woman shall drink the bitter testing water and the testing waters shall enter into her to test her.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that causeth the curse; and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her and become bitter.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he shall cause the woman to drink the water of the conviction that brings the curse; and the water of the conviction that brings the curse shall enter into her.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Adultery Test
23And the priest shall write these curses on a scroll and wash them off into the bitter water. 24He is to have the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and it will enter her and cause her bitter suffering. 25The priest shall take from her hand the grain offering for jealousy, wave it before the LORD, and bring it to the altar.…

Cross References
Proverbs 5:4
in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a double-edged sword.

Psalm 109:18
The cursing that he wore like a coat, may it soak into his body like water, and into his bones like oil.

Jeremiah 8:14
Why are we just sitting here? Gather together, let us flee to the fortified cities and perish there, for the LORD our God has doomed us. He has given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:15
Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will feed this people wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink.

Jeremiah 23:15
Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: “I will feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.”

Deuteronomy 29:18
Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations. Make sure there is no root among you that bears such poisonous and bitter fruit,

Isaiah 30:28
His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray.

Isaiah 65:6-7
Behold, it is written before Me: I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will pay it back into their laps, / both for your iniquities and for those of your fathers,” says the LORD. “Because they burned incense on the mountains and scorned Me on the hills, I will measure into their laps full payment for their former deeds.”

Lamentations 3:15
He has filled me with bitterness; He has intoxicated me with wormwood.

Ezekiel 3:3
“Son of man,” He said to me, “eat and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you.” So I ate, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.

Ezekiel 23:31-34
Because you have followed the path of your sister, I will put her cup into your hand.’ / This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘You will drink your sister’s cup, a cup deep and wide. It will bring scorn and derision, for it holds so much. / You will be filled with drunkenness and grief, with a cup of devastation and desolation, the cup of your sister Samaria. ...

Revelation 8:11
The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter like wormwood oil, and many people died from the bitter waters.

Revelation 10:9-10
And I went to the angel and said, “Give me the small scroll.” “Take it and eat it,” he said. “It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” / So I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach turned bitter.

Revelation 16:19
The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. And God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath.

Matthew 23:32
Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your fathers.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Zechariah 5:3,4
Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it…

Malachi 3:5
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

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Bitter Bitterness Cause Caused Causes Causeth Causing Curse Drink Enter Entered Pain Suffering Water Waters
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Numbers 5
1. The unclean are removed out of camp
5. Restitution is to be made in trespass
11. The trial of jealously














He is to make the woman drink
This phrase refers to the priest's role in the ritual described in Numbers 5, known as the "ordeal of jealousy." The Hebrew word for "make" (שָׁקָה, shakah) implies a deliberate action, emphasizing the priest's authority and responsibility in administering this test. Historically, this reflects the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where men held religious and legal authority. The act of drinking symbolizes submission to divine judgment, a theme prevalent throughout the Old Testament.

the bitter water
The "bitter water" (מֵי הַמָּרִים, mei hammarim) is a concoction of holy water and dust from the tabernacle floor. The bitterness signifies the potential curse and the gravity of the situation. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, similar ordeals were used to determine guilt or innocence, reflecting a common belief in divine intervention in justice. The bitterness also serves as a physical manifestation of the spiritual and emotional turmoil associated with sin and suspicion.

that brings a curse
The Hebrew word for "curse" (אָלָה, alah) indicates an oath or imprecation. This phrase underscores the seriousness of the ritual, as it invokes divine retribution upon the guilty. In the broader biblical context, curses are often seen as consequences of disobedience to God's commandments. This reflects the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where blessings and curses are contingent upon faithfulness to the law.

and it will enter her
The phrase "enter her" (וּבָאָה בָהּ, uva'ah bah) suggests a deep, internal effect, indicating that the outcome of the ritual is not merely physical but also spiritual. This reflects the biblical understanding of the body and soul as interconnected. The entry of the water symbolizes the penetration of divine judgment into the innermost being, revealing truth and exposing hidden sin.

and cause bitter suffering
The Hebrew word for "suffering" (צָבָה, tzavah) can also mean swelling or distention, indicating a physical manifestation of the curse. This phrase highlights the potential consequences of sin and the seriousness of the accusation. In the broader scriptural context, suffering is often seen as a result of sin, but also as a means of purification and redemption. This duality reflects the biblical theme of justice tempered with mercy, where suffering can lead to repentance and restoration.

Verse 24. - He shall cause the woman to drink. This is said by anticipation, because she did not really drink it until after the offering (verse 26).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He is to have the woman
הָ֣אִשָּׁ֔ה (hā·’iš·šāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

drink
וְהִשְׁקָה֙ (wə·hiš·qāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8248: To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to

the bitter
הַמָּרִ֖ים (ham·mā·rîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 4751: Bitter, bitterness, bitterly

water
מֵ֥י (mê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

that brings a curse,
הַמְאָֽרֲרִ֑ים (ham·’ā·ră·rîm)
Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 779: To execrate

and it
הַמַּ֥יִם (ham·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

will enter
וּבָ֥אוּ (ū·ḇā·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

her
בָ֛הּ (ḇāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and cause her bitter
לְמָרִֽים׃ (lə·mā·rîm)
Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 4751: Bitter, bitterness, bitterly

suffering.
הַֽמְאָרֲרִ֖ים (ham·’ā·ră·rîm)
Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 779: To execrate


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OT Law: Numbers 5:24 He shall make the woman drink (Nu Num.)
Numbers 5:23
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