Numbers 5:28
in Numbers 5But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will be unaffected and able to conceive children.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.
KJV
And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.
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This verse in Numbers 5
Commentary
4 notes on this verseThis site's exposition
When he has made her drink the water
on Numbers 5:27-28
The text names no power in the water, dust and ink and states only the two results, which leaves the verdict with God. Adam Clarke takes the bitterness as affliction, and Matthew Henry passes on Bishop Patrick for an effect seen at once and John Lightfoot for one that took years. The clean woman gains more than acquittal, for she “will be unaffected and able to conceive children”.
This site's exposition
able to conceive children
The Jewish writers went further than the verse. John Wesley reports their claim that an innocent wife bore children even if she had been barren, and Matthew Henry their claim that she came out healthier and bore a son. Henry draws from the verse that God clears the innocent in His own way.
The record, by era
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean,....
From the whole we may learn, (1.) That secret sins are known to God, and sometimes are strangely brought to light in this life; however, there is a day coming when God will, by Jesus Christ, as here by the priest, judge the secrets of men according to the gospel, Rom. ii.
The words behind it
9 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| וְאִם־ | veim- | and if | H518 → | 1069 times |
| לֹ֤א | lo' | not | H3808 → | 5168 times |
| נִטְמְאָה֙ | nitmeah | she has made herself unclean | H2930 → | 162 times |
| הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה | haishah | the woman | H802 → | 781 times |
| וּטְהֹרָ֖ה | utehorah | and [is] pure | H2889 → | 94 times |
| הִ֑וא | hi' | she | H1931 → | 1879 times |
| וְנִקְּתָ֖ה | veniketah | and she will be free | H5352 → | 44 times |
| וְנִזְרְעָ֥ה | venizreah | and she will be impregnated | H2232 → | |
| זָֽרַע׃ | zara' | seed | H2233 → | 229 times |
וְאִם־and if
veim-H518 →1069 times
לֹ֤אnot
lo'H3808 →5168 times
נִטְמְאָה֙she has made herself unclean
nitmeahH2930 →162 times
הָֽאִשָּׁ֔הthe woman
haishahH802 →781 times
וּטְהֹרָ֖הand [is] pure
utehorahH2889 →94 times
הִ֑ואshe
hi'H1931 →1879 times
וְנִקְּתָ֖הand she will be free
veniketahH5352 →44 times
וְנִזְרְעָ֥הand she will be impregnated
venizreahH2232 →
זָֽרַע׃seed
zara'H2233 →229 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
2 Corinthians 4:17For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.
it leads to
- James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.
- 1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish…
- Romans 5:3–5
Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
- Hebrews 12:10–11
Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.
- James 1:12
Through
1 Peter 1:7so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
it leads to
- Job 23:10
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
- Isaiah 48:10
See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
- 1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
- Job 23:10
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies1
About Numbers
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.