And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the LORD:
The book holding the verse is named Numbers because of the two numberings of Israel, one in the early part of the book and the other near its close. It stands in the opening chapters, which follow the first four chapters on the numbering of the people, the numbering of the tribe of Levi, and the office of the various families of Levi. Those first five chapters set forth the numbering of Israel, the order of their encampment, the princes of the tribes, the division of duties among the Levites and the priests, the redemption of the firstborn, and other ceremonies connected with the institution of worship. Chapters 5 and 6 contain among other instructions the laws concerning jealousy and the Nazirites, closing with the blessing which the priests were instructed to place upon the children of Israel.
The verse brings a wife suspected of adultery, where her husband has no direct evidence, before the priest as part of the jealousy offering and bitter-water test. The jealousy offering was a memorial bringing iniquity to remembrance, and the bitter-water test was intended to distinguish innocence from guilt. The innocent woman suffered no harm, while guilt brought a dreadful, speedy death, and this rite served to remove suspicion of impurity from Israel.
The book holding the verse is named Numbers because of the two numberings of Israel, one in the early part of the book and the other near its close. It stands in the opening chapters, which follow the first four chapters on the numbering of the people, the numbering of the tribe of Levi, and the office of the various families of Levi. Those first five chapters set forth the numbering of Israel, the order of their encampment, the princes of the tribes, the division of duties among the Levites and the priests, the redemption of the firstborn, and other ceremonies connected with the institution of worship. Chapters 5 and 6 contain among other instructions the laws concerning jealousy and the Nazirites, closing with the blessing which the priests were instructed to place upon the children of Israel.
The verse brings a wife suspected of adultery, where her husband has no direct evidence, before the priest as part of the jealousy offering and bitter-water test. The jealousy offering was a memorial bringing iniquity to remembrance, and the bitter-water test was intended to distinguish innocence from guilt. The innocent woman suffered no harm, while guilt brought a dreadful, speedy death, and this rite served to remove suspicion of impurity from Israel.