The “law of jealousy” dealt with a husband’s suspicion that his wife had been unfaithful, even when there was no direct evidence. God gave this procedure as a way to bring the matter before Him for judgment, so that guilt or innocence would be revealed. This protected both the husband from living in unresolved suspicion and the wife from false accusations.
“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘If any man’s wife goes astray and behaves unfaithfully toward him… then the man shall bring his wife to the priest. He shall bring the offering required for her, one-tenth of an ephah of barley meal… Then the priest shall bring her and set her before the Lord.’” (Numbers 5:12, 15–16)
The ritual involved drinking water mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor, accompanied by the curse written and washed into the water. If the woman was guilty, the Lord would bring judgment upon her body, but if she was innocent, she would be cleared. This law emphasized that God Himself was the final judge of hidden matters and that marriage was a covenant under His authority. It upheld purity within Israel and reminded the people that nothing was hidden from the Lord’s sight.
