1
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר
And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying,
The wayyiqtol וַיְדַבֵּר opens the chapter's first of three divine speeches (vv. 1, 6, 11), each addressed through Moses to the people. This unit legislates removal of the ceremonially unclean from the camp.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative opening)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the standing divine-speech formulaדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel 'to speak', root דבר; the recurring formula introducing divine legislation to Moses.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; subject of the recurring revelation formula.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the recipient of divine speech.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of the preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's mediator-lawgiver; the consistent addressee of the wilderness legislation.
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: marks the transition into quoted discourseאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the formulaic לֵאמֹר opens the quoted divine command.
2
צַ֚ו אֶת בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וִֽישַׁלְּחוּ֙ מִן הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה כָּל צָר֖וּעַ וְכָל זָ֑ב וְכֹ֖ל טָמֵ֥א לָנָֽפֶשׁ
Command the Israelites that they send away from the camp everyone with a skin disease, everyone with a discharge, and everyone unclean through contact with a corpse,
The imperative צַו delivers YHWH's actual instruction (v. 1's לֵּאמֹר having introduced it). Three progressively broader categories of uncleanness — skin disease, discharge, corpse-contact — are swept together in a single command, unified by the rationale given in v. 3.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
צַ֚וcommandPiel impv 2ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (imperative main clause)→ Volitional: a direct command opening the oracleצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command, charge'; the standard verb for divine legislative instruction relayed through Moses.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל; untranslated.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object (construct head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; here in the standing idiom בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל 'the Israelites'.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people, Jacob's renamed identity; here the nation addressed through its assembly.
וִֽישַׁלְּחוּ֙and let them send awayconj וְ + Piel impf (jussive) 3mp · שִׁלַּח (H7971)Purpose/result clause continuing the imperative (jussive)→ Jussive: the community's obligatory response to the commandשִׁלַּח (H7971) Piel 'to send away, expel'; the verb used of Hagar's dismissal and the scapegoat — formal removal from the community.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase of separationמִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; marks the point of removal.
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔הthe campart + N common sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Object of the preposition מִןמַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'; Israel's ordered wilderness encampment structured around the tabernacle — its purity is the chapter's controlling concern.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head (distributive 'every')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; in construct with a singular participle expresses distributive totality.
צָר֖וּעַone who is leprousQal passive ptc ms · צָרַע (H6879)Genitive of the construct chain (substantival participle)→ Passive participle: a fixed, diagnosed state of afflictionצָרַע (H6879) 'to be diseased (skin)'; substantivized 'the leprous one' — traditionally 'leper', a scaly skin condition (cf. Lev 13-14), not modern Hansen's disease.
וְכָלand everyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinated construct headכֹּל (H3605) 'every', coordinated with the previous category; introduces the second unclean class.
זָ֑בone with a dischargeQal active ptc ms · זָב (H2100)Genitive of the construct chain (substantival participle)→ Active participle: an ongoing bodily conditionזָב (H2100) 'to flow, discharge'; substantivized 'one who has a discharge' — the genital-flow uncleanness of Lev 15.
וְכֹ֖לand everyoneconj וְ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinated subject head (absolute, qualified by the following adjective)כֹּל (H3605), here absolute rather than construct, heading the third unclean category.
טָמֵ֥אuncleanadj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Attributive adjective modifying כֹלטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean, impure'; the chapter's key ritual-status term, root טמא.
לָנָֽפֶשׁby a corpseprep לְ + N common sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Adverbial prepositional phrase specifying the source of uncleannessנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, person'; here idiomatically 'a dead person, corpse' (cf. Lev 21:11, Num 6:6) — corpse-contamination, the most severe grade of ritual impurity.
3
מִזָּכָ֤ר עַד נְקֵבָה֙ תְּשַׁלֵּ֔חוּ אֶל מִח֥וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה תְּשַׁלְּח֑וּם וְלֹ֤א יְטַמְּאוּ֙ אֶת מַ֣חֲנֵיהֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנִ֖י שֹׁכֵ֥ן בְּתוֹכָֽם
from male to female you shall send them away; you shall send them outside the camp, so that they do not defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell.
The chiastic merism מִזָּכָר עַד נְקֵבָה removes any gender exemption, and the repeated verb (תְּשַׁלֵּחוּ...תְּשַׁלְּחוּם) drives the command home. The closing אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי שֹׁכֵן בְּתוֹכָם states the theological ground of the whole unit: the camp must stay pure because YHWH himself dwells within it.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
מִזָּכָ֤רfrom maleprep מִן + N m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Adverbial prepositional phrase (first term of merism)זָכָר (H2145) 'male'; paired with נְקֵבָה to form an all-inclusive merism, 'male and female alike'.
עַדtoprep · עַד (H5704)Correlative preposition completing the מִן...עַד constructionעַד (H5704) 'unto, as far as'; paired with מִן to express the full range 'from...to'.
נְקֵבָה֙femaleN f sg abs · נְקֵבָה (H5347)Object of the preposition עַד (second term of merism)נְקֵבָה (H5347) 'female'; the merism מִזָּכָר עַד נְקֵבָה makes the law gender-inclusive — none of the three unclean classes is gender-restricted.
תְּשַׁלֵּ֔חוּyou shall send awayPiel impf 2mp · שִׁלַּח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause, deontic imperfect)→ Yiqtol: modal/deontic — the obligatory instruction addressed to the peopleשִׁלַּח (H7971) Piel 'to send away'; second-person plural, now addressed directly to Israel rather than reported as v. 2's jussive.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of directionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
מִח֥וּץoutsideprep מִן + N m sg abs · חוּץ (H2351)Object of אֶל, forming the compound 'to outside of'חוּץ (H2351) 'outside, street'; the idiom אֶל מִחוּץ לְ means 'to a place outside of'.
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖הthe campprep לְ + art + N common sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Genitive completing the compound prepositionמַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'; repeated from v. 2, the space now defined as off-limits to the unclean.
תְּשַׁלְּח֑וּםyou shall send them awayPiel impf 2mp + 3mp suffix · שִׁלַּח (H7971)Predicate verb restating the command with pronominal object→ Yiqtol: emphatic restatement of the obligation, now with explicit object suffixשִׁלַּח (H7971) repeated for emphasis with the 3mp object suffix 'them', driving home that all three classes must be expelled.
וְלֹ֤אso that notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative purpose/result clauseלֹא (H3808), standard negative; here introducing the purpose of the expulsion — non-defilement of the camp.
יְטַמְּאוּ֙they defilePiel impf 3mp · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb of the negative purpose clause→ Yiqtol: modal — the defilement to be preventedטָמֵא (H2930) Piel 'to defile, make unclean'; causative counterpart of the adjective טָמֵא (v. 2) — the unclean person's presence actively contaminates the camp.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking מַחֲנֵיהֶם as the definite direct object of יְטַמְּאוּ.
מַ֣חֲנֵיהֶ֔םtheir campN common pl constr + 3mp suffix · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Direct objectמַחֲנֶה (H4264) with 3mp suffix, plural form (perhaps reflecting the divided tribal camps) — 'their camp(s)', belonging to Israel.
אֲשֶׁ֥רin the midst of whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; resumed by בְּתוֹכָם at clause end ('in whose midst').
אֲנִ֖יIindep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of שֹׁכֵןאֲנִי (H589), first-person independent pronoun; emphatic subject — YHWH's own dwelling presence grounds the purity law.
שֹׁכֵ֥ןdwellingQal active ptc ms · שָׁכַן (H7931)Predicate verb (participial clause)→ Participle: a continuous, ongoing state — YHWH's abiding presenceשָׁכַן (H7931) 'to dwell, tabernacle'; root behind מִשְׁכָּן 'tabernacle' — YHWH's localized presence in the camp is the theological rationale for its purity.
בְּתוֹכָֽםin their midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3mp suffix · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial prepositional phrase, resuming the relative אֲשֶׁרתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; closes the clause — 'in whose midst I dwell', grounding the camp's sanctity in YHWH's presence within it.
4
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ כֵן֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיְשַׁלְּח֣וּ אוֹתָ֔ם אֶל מִח֖וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר יְהוָה֙ אֶל מֹשֶׁ֔ה כֵּ֥ן עָשׂ֖וּ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
And the Israelites did so, and sent them outside the camp; as YHWH had spoken to Moses, so the Israelites did.
A classic command-fulfillment inclusio: וַיַּעֲשׂוּ כֵן ... כֵּן עָשׂוּ frames the verse, echoing v. 2's command in its execution and closing with the standard 'as YHWH spoke to Moses' formula. Obedience is total and immediate, with no narrated resistance — the unit (vv. 1-4) is thereby closed.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּand they didconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — compliance reported immediatelyעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the standard verb of obedient action, framing this verse as a fulfillment report.
כֵן֙soadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial complement of וַיַּעֲשׂוּכֵּן (H3651) 'thus, so'; anaphoric adverb referring back to the preceding command.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (construct head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל 'the Israelites', subject of the fulfillment formula.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the community as a whole, subject of obedient compliance.
וַיְשַׁלְּח֣וּand they sent awayconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3mp · שִׁלַּח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשִׁלַּח (H7971) Piel 'to send away'; the command of vv. 2-3 now executed.
אוֹתָ֔םthemobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) with pronominal suffix, referring to the three classes of unclean persons collectively.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of directionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
מִח֖וּץoutsideprep מִן + N m sg abs · חוּץ (H2351)Object of אֶלחוּץ (H2351) 'outside'; repeated from v. 3, confirming exact fulfillment of the command.
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑הthe campprep לְ + art + N common sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Genitive completing the compound prepositionמַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunction introducing the fulfillment clauseכַּאֲשֶׁר 'just as'; the standing formula linking command and compliance in priestly narrative.
דִּבֶּ֤רhe spokePiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb of the כַּאֲשֶׁר clause→ Perfective: the antecedent, already-completed divine commandדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; repeats v. 1's verb, closing the frame around the whole unit.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068), subject of the fulfilled command.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of the preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872), recipient of the command now fulfilled.
כֵּ֥ןsoadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial complement resuming כֵן of the opening clauseכֵּן (H3651) 'thus, so'; the fulfillment formula's closing echo, forming an inclusio with the verse's opening כֵן.
עָשׂ֖וּthey didQal perf 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, closing summary)→ Perfective: a completed act of compliance, summarizing the wholeעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; perfect (not wayyiqtol) as the summarizing predicate of the closing כֵּן...עָשׂוּ formula.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (construct head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, subject of the closing summary.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the verse closes with the same subject it opened with, an inclusio underscoring total compliance.
5
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר
And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying,
A fresh וַיְדַבֵּר marks the start of the chapter's second legal unit (vv. 5-10): restitution for wrongdoing against a fellow Israelite, framed — like the first unit — as a self-contained oracle to Moses.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative opening)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the second of the chapter's three speech formulasדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; opens the restitution-law unit (vv. 5-10).
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the recurring revelation formula.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of the preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the consistent addressee of the wilderness legislation.
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: marks the transition into quoted discourseאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; opens the quotation of the second oracle.
6
דַּבֵּר֮ אֶל בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ אִ֣ישׁ אֽוֹ אִשָּׁ֗ה כִּ֤י יַעֲשׂוּ֙ מִכָּל חַטֹּ֣את הָֽאָדָ֔ם לִמְעֹ֥ל מַ֖עַל בַּיהוָ֑ה וְאָֽשְׁמָ֖ה הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִֽוא
Speak to the Israelites: when a man or a woman commits any of the sins that people commit, acting unfaithfully against YHWH, that person incurs guilt,
The classic casuistic form (אִישׁ אוֹ אִשָּׁה כִּי...) opens the unit. Its striking move is theological: any offense 'of humanity' (חַטֹּאת הָאָדָם) is redefined as מַעַל בַּיהוָה, a breach of faith against YHWH himself — horizontal wrongdoing is grounded in covenant terms.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
דַּבֵּר֮speakPiel impv 2ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (imperative main clause)→ Volitional: the command to relay the following instructionדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel imperative 'speak'; the standard commissioning verb, here without the fuller צַו of v. 2.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Object of the preposition אֶל (construct head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל 'the Israelites'.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒IsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); addressee of the following casuistic law.
אִ֣ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (first term of a disjunctive pair)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, person'; opens the casuistic protasis, paired with אִשָּׁה for gender-inclusive scope.
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; joins the alternatives אִישׁ and אִשָּׁה.
אִשָּׁ֗הwomanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject (second term of the disjunctive pair)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; the restitution law applies equally to men and women.
כִּ֤יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/temporal subordinating conjunction introducing the protasisכִּי (H3588), here conditional 'if, when'; opens the case in standard casuistic-law form.
יַעֲשׂוּ֙they commitQal impf 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol: a hypothetical, recurring case — 'whenever anyone commits'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; here 'to commit (a sin)', governing the partitive מִכָּל חַטֹּאת.
מִכָּלany ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; מִכָּל 'from any of' expresses an open, unspecified category of wrongdoing.
חַטֹּ֣אתthe sins ofN f pl constr · חַטָּאת (H2403)Genitive of the partitive construct chainחַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin, offense'; broadly any wrong committed against another person, not the cultic sin-offering sense.
הָֽאָדָ֔םmankindart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Genitive completing the construct chainאָדָם (H120) 'humankind'; חַטֹּאת הָאָדָם 'the sins of humanity' — offenses between people, as opposed to purely cultic sin.
לִמְעֹ֥לacting unfaithfullyprep לְ + Qal inf constr · מָעַל (H4603)Epexegetical infinitive clarifying the nature of the offense→ Infinitive construct: defines the qualitative character of the sin as covenant-breachמָעַל (H4603) 'to act unfaithfully, breach trust'; the technical term for sacrilegious or covenant-violating betrayal (cf. Lev 5:15, Josh 7:1).
מַ֖עַלa breach of faithN m sg abs · מַעַל (H4604)Cognate accusative (internal object) of לִמְעֹלמַעַל (H4604) 'unfaithfulness, treachery, breach of trust'; cognate noun reinforcing the verb — a wrong against a person is framed theologically as sacrilege against YHWH.
בַּיהוָ֑הagainst YHWHprep בְּ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Adverbial prepositional phrase specifying the offended partyיְהוָה (H3068); the wrong, though against a fellow human, is legally construed as a מַעַל against God himself — the theological premise of the restitution law.
וְאָֽשְׁמָ֖הand is guiltyconj וְ + Qal perf 3fs (weqatal) · אָשַׁם (H816)Predicate verb of the apodosis (main clause)→ Weqatal: the resulting legal state of guilt following the offenseאָשַׁם (H816) 'to be/become guilty, incur liability'; the verdict following the protasis — establishes the state requiring restitution (v. 7).
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁthat personart + N common sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Subject of וְאָשְׁמָהנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person'; here simply 'the person', resuming אִישׁ אוֹ אִשָּׁה as subject of the verdict.
הַהִֽואthatart + indep pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Demonstrative adjective modifying הַנֶּפֶשׁהִיא (H1931) with article, functioning demonstratively 'that (very)'; agrees with feminine נֶפֶשׁ.
7
וְהִתְוַדּ֗וּ אֶֽת חַטָּאתָם֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשׂוּ֒ וְהֵשִׁ֤יב אֶת אֲשָׁמוֹ֙ בְּרֹאשׁ֔וֹ וַחֲמִישִׁת֖וֹ יֹסֵ֣ף עָלָ֑יו וְנָתַ֕ן לַאֲשֶׁ֖ר אָשַׁ֥ם לֽוֹ
they shall confess their sin that they have committed, and he shall restore his guilt-payment in full, and add a fifth to it, and give it to the one against whom he was guilty.
A four-step weqatal chain (confess, restore, add a fifth, give) spells out the remedy for the guilt named in v. 6: verbal confession, full repayment of the principal, a 20% penalty, and direct payment to the wronged party — restitution precedes any cultic offering (v. 8).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְהִתְוַדּ֗וּand they shall confessconj וְ + Hitpael perf 3cp (weqatal) · יָדָה (H3034)Predicate verb (apodosis continuation, main clause)→ Weqatal: the required consequence following the guilt-verdict of v. 6יָדָה (H3034) Hitpael 'to confess'; reflexive stem denoting open acknowledgment of one's own wrongdoing — confession precedes and accompanies restitution.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking חַטָּאתָם as the direct object of וְהִתְוַדּוּ.
חַטָּאתָם֮their sinN f sg constr + 3mp suffix · חַטָּאת (H2403)Direct objectחַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin'; the specific wrong now to be verbally acknowledged.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle introducing עָשׂוּ.
עָשׂוּ֒they committedQal perf 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: the completed prior act of wrongdoingעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; here 'commit (a sin)', echoing v. 6.
וְהֵשִׁ֤יבand he shall restoreconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: the required act of restitution following confessionשׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil 'to cause to return, restore'; causative of 'return' — the offender must give back what was wrongly taken.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking אֲשָׁמוֹ as the direct object of וְהֵשִׁיב.
אֲשָׁמוֹ֙his guilt-paymentN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָשָׁם (H817)Direct objectאָשָׁם (H817) 'guilt, reparation'; here concretely 'that for which he is liable' — the principal sum wrongly taken, to be repaid.
בְּרֹאשׁ֔וֹin its full amountprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; idiomatic בְּרֹאשׁוֹ 'in full/at principal value' — full restitution before the added fifth.
וַחֲמִישִׁת֖וֹand its fifthconj וְ + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · חֲמִישִׁית (H2549)Direct object of יֹסֵףחֲמִישִׁית (H2549) 'a fifth (part)'; the mandatory 20% penalty added to full restitution — the same formula as Lev 5:16, 6:5.
יֹסֵ֣ףhe shall addHiphil impf 3ms · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Yiqtol continuing the weqatal chain: the additional obligatory actיָסַף (H3254) Hiphil 'to add, increase'; specifies the punitive surcharge added atop the principal.
עָלָ֑יוto itprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, to'; marks the principal sum to which the fifth is added.
וְנָתַ֕ןand he shall giveconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: the final act completing restitutionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the actual transfer of the restored sum to its rightful recipient.
לַאֲשֶׁ֖רto the one whomprep לְ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Prepositional phrase with relative clause (indirect object)אֲשֶׁר (H834) with לְ, 'to whom'; introduces the wronged party as recipient.
אָשַׁ֥םhe was guiltyQal perf 3ms · אָשַׁם (H816)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: the completed state of the original offenseאָשַׁם (H816) 'to be guilty'; identifies the wronged party as the one against whom the offender incurred guilt.
לֽוֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְAdverbial prepositional phrase resuming לַאֲשֶׁרBare preposition לְ + suffix, 'to him'; resumptive pronoun closing the relative clause — restitution goes to the specific wronged individual.
8
וְאִם אֵ֨ין לָאִ֜ישׁ גֹּאֵ֗ל לְהָשִׁ֤יב הָאָשָׁם֙ אֵלָ֔יו הָאָשָׁ֛ם הַמּוּשָׁ֥ב לַיהוָ֖ה לַכֹּהֵ֑ן מִלְּבַ֗ד אֵ֚יל הַכִּפֻּרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְכַפֶּר בּ֖וֹ עָלָֽיו
But if the man has no kinsman to whom restitution may be repaid, the restitution repaid belongs to YHWH, for the priest, besides the ram of atonement by which atonement is made for him.
The law anticipates the case where the wronged party has died without a גֹּאֵל to receive payment; rather than let restitution lapse, it is redirected to YHWH via his priest, and is explicitly kept distinct from the separate guilt-offering ram that accomplishes cultic atonement — restitution and expiation are related but not identical.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional subordinating conjunction introducing a new casuistic sub-caseאִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the exception clause for when no kinsman exists to receive restitution.
אֵ֨יןthere is nonegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of negative existenceאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; negates the existence of a גֹּאֵל for the wronged party.
לָאִ֜ישׁto the manprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Prepositional phrase of possession ('the man has no...')אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the wronged party (or deceased victim's estate) who lacks a kinsman.
גֹּאֵ֗לa kinsman-redeemerQal active ptc ms · גָּאַל (H1350)Subject of the existential clause אֵין→ Active participle: a standing family role/officeגָּאַל (H1350) 'to redeem'; the גֹּאֵל is the next-of-kin responsible for reclaiming property, avenging blood, or, here, receiving restitution owed to a deceased relative.
לְהָשִׁ֤יבto receiveprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · שׁוּב (H7725)Purpose infinitive clarifying the kinsman's role→ Infinitive construct: the intended function of the גֹּאֵלשׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil, here 'to have restored to (him)'; the same causative verb as v. 7, describing the kinsman's role as recipient.
הָאָשָׁם֙the restitutionart + N m sg abs · אָשָׁם (H817)Direct object of לְהָשִׁיבאָשָׁם (H817), the concrete restitution payment referred to in v. 7.
אֵלָ֔יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial prepositional phrase, indirect objectאֶל (H413) with suffix, 'to him' — to the kinsman who would otherwise receive it.
הָאָשָׁ֛םthe restitutionart + N m sg abs · אָשָׁם (H817)Subject (casus pendens, resumed by הַמּוּשָׁב)אָשָׁם (H817), resumed as the topic of the new clause — what happens to it absent a kinsman.
הַמּוּשָׁ֥בthat is restoredart + Hophal ptc ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Attributive participle modifying הָאָשָׁם→ Passive participle: the restitution as an act performed, now redirectedשׁוּב (H7725) Hophal passive participle 'being restored/returned'; the restitution payment personified as grammatical subject of the following clause.
לַיהוָ֖הfor YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate complement (dative of recipient)יְהוָה (H3068); absent a human heir, the restitution reverts to YHWH — consistent with v. 6's מַעַל בַּיהוָה.
לַכֹּהֵ֑ןfor the priestprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Predicate complement in apposition to לַיהוָהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; YHWH's restitution is administered through his priest, who receives it on YHWH's behalf.
מִלְּבַ֗דbesidesprep מִן + prep לְ + N m sg constr · בַּד (H905)Prepositional phrase of exceptionבַּד (H905) 'separation, apart'; the compound מִלְּבַד 'apart from, besides' introduces an additional, non-overlapping category.
אֵ֚ילthe ram ofN m sg constr · אַיִל (H352)Genitive of exception (construct head)אַיִל (H352) 'ram'; the construct chain אֵיל הַכִּפֻּרִים names the sacrificial animal separate from monetary restitution.
הַכִּפֻּרִ֔יםof atonementart + N m pl abs · כִּפֻּרִים (H3725)Genitive completing the construct chainכִּפֻּרִים (H3725) 'atonement, expiation'; plural of intensity from כפר — the ram offering that ritually expiates the offense, distinct from the material restitution.
אֲשֶׁ֥רby whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle introducing the purpose of the ram offering.
יְכַפֶּרatonement is madePiel impf 3ms · כִּפֶּר (H3722)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: the ritual effect accomplished by the offeringכִּפֶּר (H3722) Piel 'to atone, make expiation'; the technical cultic verb — this ram completes what restitution alone could not.
בּ֖וֹby itprep בְּ + 3ms suffix · בְּAdverbial prepositional phrase (instrumental)Instrumental בְּ, 'by, with' — the ram is the means of atonement.
עָלָֽיוfor himprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase, reinforcing בּוֹעַל (H5921) 'upon, for'; a second prepositional phrase reinforcing the beneficiary of the atonement — the offender himself.
9
וְכָל תְּרוּמָ֞ה לְכָל קָדְשֵׁ֧י בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל אֲשֶׁר יַקְרִ֥יבוּ לַכֹּהֵ֖ן ל֥וֹ יִהְיֶֽה
And every contribution among all the holy things of the Israelites, which they present to the priest, shall be his.
A generalizing rule broadens the specific restitution case of vv. 6-8: any holy gift an Israelite brings to a priest belongs personally to that priest, not to a common sanctuary treasury — restated even more explicitly in v. 10.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְכָלand everyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head, casus pendens (topic)כֹּל (H3605) 'every'; introduces a new, broader principle about priestly contributions.
תְּרוּמָ֞הcontributionN f sg abs · תְּרוּמָה (H8641)Genitive of the construct chainתְּרוּמָה (H8641) 'contribution, heave offering'; a portion set apart for sacred use, from רוּם 'to be high'.
לְכָלof allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase specifying source (partitive)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; here 'from among all the holy things'.
קָדְשֵׁ֧יthe holy things ofN m pl constr · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Genitive completing the prepositional phrase (construct head)קֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holiness, holy thing'; plural, the sacred donations Israelites bring.
בְנֵיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the Israelites who bring the holy gifts.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive completing the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the covenant people, source of the sacred gifts.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle introducing יַקְרִיבוּ.
יַקְרִ֥יבוּthey presentHiphil impf 3mp · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: a general, repeated cultic actionקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil 'to bring near, present (an offering)'; the standard verb for presenting a קָרְבָּן to the sanctuary.
לַכֹּהֵ֖ןto the priestprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Indirect object of יַקְרִיבוּכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; recipient of the presented holy gifts.
ל֥וֹhisprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְPredicate complement (possessive dative)לְ with 3ms suffix, 'to/for him'; marks possession — the gift becomes the officiating priest's own.
יִהְיֶֽהit shall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: a standing, generalized legal ruleהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; establishes the principle as ongoing law.
10
וְאִ֥ישׁ אֶת קֳדָשָׁ֖יו ל֣וֹ יִהְי֑וּ אִ֛ישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִתֵּ֥ן לַכֹּהֵ֖ן ל֥וֹ יִהְיֶֽה
And each man's holy things shall be his; whatever a man gives to the priest shall be his.
Two parallel clauses close the restitution law (vv. 5-10): holy things remain a person's own until actually given, and once given to a priest they become irrevocably his — a tidy legal conclusion before the chapter turns to the sotah ordinance.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְאִ֥ישׁand each man'sconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Casus pendens (topic), possessor of קֳדָשָׁיואִישׁ (H376) 'man'; fronted as topic — 'as for a man...'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking קֳדָשָׁיו — unusual with a verbless clause, marking the resumed topic.
קֳדָשָׁ֖יוhis holy thingsN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Subject/topic resumedקֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holy thing'; whatever sacred gift an individual possesses or designates.
ל֣וֹhisprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְPredicate complement (possessive dative)לְ with 3ms suffix, 'to/for him'; possessive predicate of the clause.
יִהְי֑וּthey shall beQal impf 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: generalized legal ruleהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; plural agreeing with קֳדָשָׁיו — his holy things remain his own until given.
אִ֛ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Casus pendens (topic) of the second clauseאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; introduces the second half of the antithetical statement — once given, the gift changes owner.
אֲשֶׁרwhateverrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle introducing יִתֵּן.
יִתֵּ֥ןgivesQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: a hypothetical, recurring act of givingנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the act that transfers ownership from Israelite donor to priest.
לַכֹּהֵ֖ןto the priestprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Indirect object of יִתֵּןכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; recipient of the gift.
ל֥וֹhisprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְPredicate complement (possessive dative)לְ with 3ms suffix, 'to/for him'; ownership transfers definitively to the priest.
יִהְיֶֽהit shall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: generalized legal rule, closing the unitהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; closes the restitution unit (vv. 5-10) with the principle that priestly gifts are personal, not communal, property.
11
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר
And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying,
The third and final וַיְדַבֵּר introduces the sotah ordinance (vv. 11-31), by far the chapter's longest unit and the only trial-by-ordeal legislated in the Torah.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative opening)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the third and final speech formulaדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; opens the sotah ordinance (vv. 11-31), the chapter's longest and most elaborate unit.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the third revelation formula.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of the preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the consistent addressee of the wilderness legislation.
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: marks the transition into quoted discourseאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; opens the quotation of the third and final oracle of the chapter.
12
דַּבֵּר֙ אֶל בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ אֲלֵהֶ֑ם אִ֥ישׁ אִישׁ֙ כִּֽי תִשְׂטֶ֣ה אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ וּמָעֲלָ֥ה ב֖וֹ מָֽעַל
Speak to the Israelites and say to them: If any man's wife goes astray and acts unfaithfully against him,
The distinctive doubled אִישׁ אִישׁ ('any man whatsoever') signals a comprehensive law admitting no exception. שָׂטָה 'to go astray' gives the ordinance its traditional name (sotah), and מָעֲלָה בוֹ מַעַל repeats v. 6's covenant-breach vocabulary, now applied to marital infidelity.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
דַּבֵּר֙speakPiel impv 2ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (imperative main clause)→ Volitional: the command to relay the following instructionדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel imperative 'speak'; opens the sotah legislation proper.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Object of the preposition אֶל (construct head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל 'the Israelites'.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); addressee of the sotah law.
וְאָמַרְתָּ֖and you shall sayconj וְ + Qal perf 2ms (weqatal) · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the imperative)→ Weqatal: continuation of the command sequenceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the direct-speech content Moses must relay.
אֲלֵהֶ֑םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of וְאָמַרְתָּאֶל (H413) with suffix, 'to them' — the Israelites collectively.
אִ֥ישׁa man,N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject, first of a doubled distributive pairאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; doubled (אִישׁ אִישׁ) for distributive force, 'any man whatsoever'.
אִישׁ֙any manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject, repeated for distributive emphasisאִישׁ (H376) repeated; the doubling אִישׁ אִישׁ is a distinctive distributive idiom in Numbers/Leviticus, 'each and every man'.
כִּֽיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional subordinating conjunction introducing the protasisכִּי (H3588), conditional 'if'; opens the casuistic case governing the whole ordeal law.
תִשְׂטֶ֣הgoes astrayQal impf 3fs · שָׂטָה (H7847)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol: a hypothetical, potential actשָׂטָה (H7847) 'to turn aside, go astray'; root behind 'sotah' — sexual infidelity described euphemistically as straying from the marital path (cf. Prov 4:15).
אִשְׁתּ֔וֹhis wifeN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject of תִשְׂטֶהאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife, woman'; subject of the potential offense, defined relationally to her husband.
וּמָעֲלָ֥הand acts unfaithfullyconj וְ + Qal perf 3fs (weqatal) · מָעַל (H4603)Predicate verb, second verb of the compound protasis→ Weqatal: continuing the hypothetical conditionמָעַל (H4603) 'to act unfaithfully, betray trust'; the same verb used theologically in v. 6 — marital infidelity is framed as a מַעַל, a breach of covenant faith.
ב֖וֹagainst himprep בְּ + 3ms suffix · בְּAdverbial prepositional phrase specifying the offended partyבְּ 'against'; the husband as the one wronged by the wife's unfaithfulness.
מָֽעַלa breach of faithN m sg abs · מַעַל (H4604)Cognate accusative (internal object) of וּמָעֲלָהמַעַל (H4604) 'unfaithfulness, treachery'; cognate noun reinforcing the verb, echoing v. 6's covenant-breach vocabulary now applied to marriage.
13
וְשָׁכַ֨ב אִ֣ישׁ אֹתָהּ֮ שִׁכְבַת זֶרַע֒ וְנֶעְלַם֙ מֵעֵינֵ֣י אִישָׁ֔הּ וְנִסְתְּרָ֖ה וְהִ֣יא נִטְמָ֑אָה וְעֵד֙ אֵ֣ין בָּ֔הּ וְהִ֖וא לֹ֥א נִתְפָּֽשָׂה
and a man lies with her carnally, and it is hidden from her husband's eyes, and she goes undetected, though she has defiled herself, and there is no witness against her, and she was not caught in the act —
Four synonymous clauses (hidden, undetected, no witness, not caught) pile up to describe the ordeal's precise target: a genuine but strictly unprovable case of adultery, where normal judicial process (testimony, cf. Deut 19:15) is impossible. נִטְמָאָה states flatly that she IS in fact defiled — the reader knows her guilt even as the human legal system cannot establish it.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְשָׁכַ֨בand liesconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate verb continuing the compound protasis→ Weqatal: continuing the hypothetical conditionשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; euphemistic for sexual intercourse, as regularly in legal/narrative Hebrew.
אִ֣ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וְשָׁכַבאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the unnamed other man, whose identity is precisely what is unknown/unproven.
אֹתָהּ֮with herobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object (idiomatic 'lie with')אֵת (H853) with suffix; שָׁכַב אֹתָהּ 'lay with her', object marker used idiomatically with this verb of intercourse.
שִׁכְבַתan emission ofN f sg constr · שְׁכָבָה (H7902)Adverbial accusative of specification (construct head)שְׁכָבָה (H7902) 'lying down, emission'; cognate to שָׁכַב, forming the technical phrase שִׁכְבַת זֶרַע 'seminal emission'.
זֶרַע֒seedN m sg abs · זֶרַע (H2233)Genitive completing the construct chainזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, semen'; שִׁכְבַת זֶרַע specifies actual sexual intercourse (cf. Lev 15:16-18), not mere suspicion.
וְנֶעְלַם֙and it is hiddenconj וְ + Niphal perf 3ms (weqatal) · עָלַם (H5956)Predicate verb continuing the protasis→ Weqatal, passive: the concealment of the act from the husbandעָלַם (H5956) Niphal 'to be hidden, concealed'; the crucial condition — the husband did not witness the act.
מֵעֵינֵ֣יfrom the eyes ofprep מִן + N common dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial prepositional phraseעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual form, idiomatic 'from the sight/knowledge of'.
אִישָׁ֔הּher husbandN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · אִישׁ (H376)Genitive completing the construct chainאִישׁ (H376) 'husband' (same word as 'man'); the husband from whom the act is concealed.
וְנִסְתְּרָ֖הand she is undetectedconj וְ + Niphal perf 3fs (weqatal) · סָתַר (H5641)Predicate verb continuing the protasis→ Weqatal, passive: the woman's status of being unobservedסָתַר (H5641) Niphal 'to hide oneself, be concealed'; reinforces וְנֶעְלַם — total absence of witness.
וְהִ֣יאthough sheconj וְ + indep pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject, resumptive/concessiveהִיא (H1931), independent pronoun resuming 'she' as emphatic subject of the concessive clause.
נִטְמָ֑אָהhas defiled herselfNiphal perf 3fs · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (concessive clause)→ Perfective, reflexive-passive: the actual, though unwitnessed, defilementטָמֵא (H2930) Niphal 'to defile oneself, become unclean'; states the objective reality of guilt even though undetected — key to the ordeal's logic.
וְעֵד֙and a witnessconj וְ + N m sg abs · עֵד (H5707)Subject of the existential clause אֵיןעֵד (H5707) 'witness'; legal testimony, the normal means of proving guilt (cf. Deut 19:15), here explicitly absent.
אֵ֣יןthere is nonegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of negative existenceאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; negates the existence of any witness.
בָּ֔הּagainst herprep בְּ + 3fs suffix · בְּAdverbial prepositional phraseבְּ 'against, concerning her'; specifies the woman as the one lacking a witness against her.
וְהִ֖ואand sheconj וְ + indep pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject, resumptiveהִיא (H1931), independent pronoun resuming 'she' as subject of the final clause.
לֹ֥אwas notnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard negative.
נִתְפָּֽשָׂהcaught (in the act)Niphal perf 3fs · תָּפַשׂ (H8610)Predicate verb (main clause, closing the protasis)→ Perfective, passive: the total absence of legal proof, closing the conditionתָּפַשׂ (H8610) Niphal 'to be seized, caught'; closes the fourfold description of undetected guilt — hidden, unwitnessed, no testimony, not caught in the act.
14
וְעָבַ֨ר עָלָ֧יו רֽוּחַ קִנְאָ֛ה וְקִנֵּ֥א אֶת אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ וְהִ֣וא נִטְמָ֑אָה אוֹ עָבַ֨ר עָלָ֤יו רֽוּחַ קִנְאָה֙ וְקִנֵּ֣א אֶת אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ וְהִ֖יא לֹ֥א נִטְמָֽאָה
or a spirit of jealousy comes over him and he suspects his wife, when she has defiled herself; or a spirit of jealousy comes over him and he suspects his wife, when she has not defiled herself —
The verse is built as two perfectly parallel clauses, differing only in the final נִטְמָאָה / לֹא נִטְמָאָה. The law is emphatic that the ordeal applies identically whether the wife is actually guilty or actually innocent — the ritual exists precisely because the husband's רוּחַ קִנְאָה cannot itself distinguish the two.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְעָבַ֨רand passes overconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb (apodosis-introducing main clause)→ Perfective: the onset of the husband's jealous suspicion, the case that triggers the ordealעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass over, through'; idiomatic of a spirit/mood coming upon a person (cf. 1 Sam 19:9).
עָלָ֧יוover himprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; marks the husband as the one affected by the spirit.
רֽוּחַa spirit ofN common sg constr · רוּחַ (H7307)Subject of וְעָבַר (construct head)רוּחַ (H7307) 'spirit, wind'; here a psychological/emotional impulse rather than a supernatural entity — an overwhelming mood.
קִנְאָ֛הjealousyN f sg abs · קִנְאָה (H7068)Genitive completing the construct chainקִנְאָה (H7068) 'jealousy, zeal'; from קנא, the emotion triggering the ordeal — capable of righteous zeal or destructive suspicion depending on context.
וְקִנֵּ֥אand he is jealous ofconj וְ + Piel perf 3ms · קָנֵא (H7065)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Perfective: the resulting state of suspicion toward his wifeקָנֵא (H7065) Piel 'to be jealous, zealous'; cognate verb to קִנְאָה, describing the husband's suspicious disposition.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking אִשְׁתּוֹ as the object of his jealousy.
אִשְׁתּ֖וֹhis wifeN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct objectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; object of the husband's jealous suspicion.
וְהִ֣ואwhen sheconj וְ + indep pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject of the circumstantial clauseהִיא (H1931), independent pronoun, subject of the circumstantial clause specifying the actual (unknown) state of guilt.
נִטְמָ֑אָהhas defiled herselfNiphal perf 3fs · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb of the circumstantial clause→ Perfective, reflexive-passive: the first (guilty) scenarioטָמֵא (H2930) Niphal 'to defile oneself'; the first of two mirror-image scenarios (guilty/innocent) the law must cover.
אוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; introduces the second, mirror-image scenario.
עָבַ֨רpasses overQal perf 3ms · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb (repeated main clause)→ Perfective: the same onset of jealousy, now in the innocent scenarioעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass over'; repeated verbatim to construct the perfectly parallel second case.
עָלָ֤יוover himprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; repeated from the first clause.
רֽוּחַa spirit ofN common sg constr · רוּחַ (H7307)Subject of עָבַר (construct head)רוּחַ (H7307) 'spirit'; repeated — the jealousy itself is identical regardless of the wife's actual guilt or innocence.
קִנְאָה֙jealousyN f sg abs · קִנְאָה (H7068)Genitive completing the construct chainקִנְאָה (H7068) 'jealousy'; repeated verbatim.
וְקִנֵּ֣אand he is jealous ofconj וְ + Piel perf 3ms · קָנֵא (H7065)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Perfective: the resulting suspicion, in the innocent scenarioקָנֵא (H7065) Piel 'to be jealous'; repeated verbatim.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking אִשְׁתּוֹ as the object.
אִשְׁתּ֔וֹhis wifeN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct objectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; repeated verbatim.
וְהִ֖יאwhen sheconj וְ + indep pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject of the circumstantial clauseהִיא (H1931), independent pronoun, subject of the second circumstantial clause.
לֹ֥אhas notnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard negative.
נִטְמָֽאָהdefiled herselfNiphal perf 3fs · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb of the second circumstantial clause→ Perfective, reflexive-passive: the second (innocent) scenarioטָמֵא (H2930) Niphal 'to defile oneself'; the mirror-image, negated case — the innocent woman.
15
וְהֵבִ֨יא הָאִ֣ישׁ אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ֮ אֶל הַכֹּהֵן֒ וְהֵבִ֤יא אֶת קָרְבָּנָהּ֙ עָלֶ֔יהָ עֲשִׂירִ֥ת הָאֵיפָ֖ה קֶ֣מַח שְׂעֹרִ֑ים לֹֽא יִצֹ֨ק עָלָ֜יו שֶׁ֗מֶן וְלֹֽא יִתֵּ֤ן עָלָיו֙ לְבֹנָ֔ה כִּֽי מִנְחַ֤ת קְנָאֹת֙ ה֔וּא מִנְחַ֥ת זִכָּר֖וֹן מַזְכֶּ֥רֶת עָוֺֽן
then the man shall bring his wife to the priest, and shall bring her offering for her: a tenth of an ephah of barley flour. He shall not pour oil on it, nor put frankincense on it, for it is a grain offering of jealousy, a grain offering of remembrance, bringing iniquity to remembrance.
The offering's deliberate starkness (barley not wheat, no oil, no frankincense) marks it as unlike any other grain offering in the cultic system — it accuses rather than pleases, and its unique double name (מִנְחַת קְנָאֹת, מִנְחַת זִכָּרוֹן) makes its function explicit: to bring a matter of possible עָוֺן formally before YHWH for judgment.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
וְהֵבִ֨יאand he shall bringconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: the required response to the jealousy of v. 14בּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring, cause to come'; the husband's first obligatory act under suspicion.
הָאִ֣ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וְהֵבִיאאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the suspicious husband, now the acting subject.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking אִשְׁתּוֹ as the direct object.
אִשְׁתּוֹ֮his wifeN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct objectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; the suspected woman, brought for the ordeal.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of directionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
הַכֹּהֵן֒the priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Object of the preposition אֶלכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; officiant of the ordeal that follows.
וְהֵבִ֤יאand he shall bringconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: continuing the required actionבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring'; repeated for the offering specifically.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking קָרְבָּנָהּ as the direct object.
קָרְבָּנָהּ֙her offeringN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · קָרְבָּן (H7133)Direct objectקָרְבָּן (H7133) 'offering, oblation'; from קרב 'to draw near' — the woman's own grain offering, brought on her behalf.
עָלֶ֔יהָfor herprep עַל + 3fs suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, for'; specifies the offering as brought on her behalf/account.
עֲשִׂירִ֥תa tenth ofordinal num f sg constr · עֲשִׂירִית (H6224)Genitive of measure (construct head)עֲשִׂירִית (H6224) 'a tenth'; the smallest standard grain-offering measure (cf. Lev 5:11), reflecting the offering's penitential, non-luxurious character.
הָאֵיפָ֖הof an ephahart + N f sg abs · אֵיפָה (H374)Genitive completing the construct chainאֵיפָה (H374) 'ephah'; a dry-measure unit, roughly 22 liters — a tenth-ephah is the standard 'omer' portion.
קֶ֣מַחflour ofN m sg constr · קֶמַח (H7058)Apposition specifying the offering's material (construct head)קֶמַח (H7058) 'flour, meal'; specifies the offering's substance.
שְׂעֹרִ֑יםbarleyN f pl abs · שְׂעֹרָה (H8184)Genitive completing the construct chainשְׂעֹרָה (H8184) 'barley'; the cheaper grain (elsewhere animal fodder), not the usual fine wheat flour — marking this offering as deliberately coarse and unadorned, fitting its accusatory character.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard negative.
יִצֹ֨קhe shall pourQal impf 3ms · יָצַק (H3332)Predicate verb (negated main clause)→ Yiqtol: a prohibited ritual act, negatedיָצַק (H3332) 'to pour'; the normal act of anointing a grain offering with oil, here forbidden — this offering carries no aroma of favor.
עָלָ֜יוon itprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; the offering as location of the withheld oil.
שֶׁ֗מֶןoilN m sg abs · שֶׁמֶן (H8081)Direct object of יִצֹקשֶׁמֶן (H8081) 'oil'; normally added to grain offerings (cf. Lev 2:1) to signify joy/festivity — its omission here marks the offering's grim, accusatory tone.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard negative, coordinated with the first prohibition.
יִתֵּ֤ןhe shall putQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (negated main clause)→ Yiqtol: a second prohibited ritual actנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put'; here 'place (frankincense) on'.
עָלָיו֙on itprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; repeated.
לְבֹנָ֔הfrankincenseN f sg abs · לְבֹנָה (H3828)Direct object of יִתֵּןלְבֹנָה (H3828) 'frankincense'; likewise normally added to grain offerings, likewise withheld — this offering seeks disclosure of guilt, not a pleasing aroma.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal subordinating conjunctionכִּי (H3588), causal 'for, because'; grounds the preceding prohibitions.
מִנְחַ֤תa grain offering ofN f sg constr · מִנְחָה (H4503)Predicate nominative (construct head)מִנְחָה (H4503) 'grain offering, tribute'; the standard cereal-offering term, here given a unique, ominous qualifier.
קְנָאֹת֙of jealousyN f pl abs · קִנְאָה (H7068)Genitive completing the construct chainקִנְאָה (H7068), plural form; מִנְחַת קְנָאֹת 'grain offering of jealousy' — the only such offering in the sacrificial system named for an emotion rather than an occasion.
ה֔וּאit (is)indep pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject/copula of the verbless clauseהוּא (H1931), independent pronoun serving as copula in the verbless predication.
מִנְחַ֥תa grain offering ofN f sg constr · מִנְחָה (H4503)Predicate nominative, appositional restatement (construct head)מִנְחָה (H4503), repeated in apposition, further specifying the offering's function.
זִכָּר֖וֹןmemorialN m sg abs · זִכָּרוֹן (H2146)Genitive completing the construct chainזִכָּרוֹן (H2146) 'remembrance, memorial'; from זכר — an offering that brings something formally to notice before God.
מַזְכֶּ֥רֶתbringing to remembranceHiphil active ptc fs · זָכַר (H2142)Attributive participle in apposition, explaining the offering's function→ Participle: the offering's continuous ritual functionזָכַר (H2142) Hiphil 'to cause to remember'; participle glossing זִכָּרוֹן — the offering's purpose is to bring the matter of possible עָוֺן before YHWH.
עָוֺֽןiniquityN common sg abs · עָוֹן (H5771)Direct object of מַזְכֶּרֶתעָוֹן (H5771) 'iniquity, guilt'; the possible content of what the offering formally raises for divine judgment — the wife's potential guilt.
16
וְהִקְרִ֥יב אֹתָ֖הּ הַכֹּהֵ֑ן וְהֶֽעֱמִדָ֖הּ לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה
And the priest shall bring her near and set her before YHWH.
The two verbs (bring near, set) formally transfer the woman from her husband's accusation into the sanctuary's jurisdiction — she now stands directly before YHWH, the only party capable of judging a case with no human witness.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וְהִקְרִ֥יבand he shall bring nearconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: the priest's first ritual actionקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil 'to bring near, present'; the standard verb for presenting an offering at the sanctuary, now applied to the woman herself.
אֹתָ֖הּherobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) with suffix, referring to the accused wife.
הַכֹּהֵ֑ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְהִקְרִיבכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the officiant taking charge of the ordeal.
וְהֶֽעֱמִדָ֖הּand he shall set herconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms + 3fs suffix (weqatal) · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: the second ritual actionעָמַד (H5975) Hiphil 'to cause to stand, station'; the woman is formally positioned for the cultic proceeding.
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforeprep לְ + N common pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase of locationפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of' — the woman stands in YHWH's own presence at the sanctuary.
יְהוָֽהYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the preposition לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068); the ordeal is conducted in the direct presence of God, who alone can adjudicate a case beyond human proof.
17
וְלָקַ֧ח הַכֹּהֵ֛ן מַ֥יִם קְדֹשִׁ֖ים בִּכְלִי חָ֑רֶשׂ וּמִן הֶֽעָפָ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִהְיֶה֙ בְּקַרְקַ֣ע הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן יִקַּ֥ח הַכֹּהֵ֖ן וְנָתַ֥ן אֶל הַמָּֽיִם
And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel, and take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle, and put it into the water.
Two elements compose the potion: 'holy water' and dust from the tabernacle floor itself — the literal ground on which YHWH's presence rests. The clay vessel is disposable and ordinary, in deliberate contrast to the sanctity of its contents.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְלָקַ֧חand he shall takeconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: the priest's next ritual actionלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; begins the preparation of the ordeal water itself.
הַכֹּהֵ֛ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְלָקַחכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'.
מַ֥יִםwaterN m pl abs (form) · מַיִם (H4325)Direct object of וְלָקַחמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; plural in form though singular in sense — the base substance of the ordeal potion.
קְדֹשִׁ֖יםholyadj m pl abs · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Attributive adjective modifying מַיִםקָדוֹשׁ (H6918) 'holy'; likely water from the bronze laver in the sanctuary court — set-apart, sacred water, fitting for a rite conducted before YHWH.
בִּכְלִיin a vessel ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Adverbial prepositional phrase (construct head)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, utensil'; specifies the container for the holy water.
חָ֑רֶשׂearthenwareN m sg abs · חֶרֶשׂ (H2789)Genitive completing the construct chainחֶרֶשׂ (H2789) 'earthenware, clay'; a cheap, breakable, disposable vessel — fitting for a rite involving dust and potential impurity (cf. Lev 6:28 on clay absorbing impurity).
וּמִןand fromconj וְ + prep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase of sourceמִן (H4480) 'from'; introduces the second ingredient, the sanctuary dust.
הֶֽעָפָ֗רthe dustart + N m sg abs · עָפָר (H6083)Object of the preposition מִןעָפָר (H6083) 'dust, dirt'; ordinary ground-dust, made extraordinary by its location — from the tabernacle floor, before YHWH.
אֲשֶׁ֤רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle introducing יִהְיֶה.
יִהְיֶה֙isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: a standing state of locationהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; here locative, 'is found (on)'.
בְּקַרְקַ֣עon the floor ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קַרְקַע (H7172)Adverbial prepositional phrase (construct head)קַרְקַע (H7172) 'floor, ground'; the physical floor of the tabernacle structure.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Genitive completing the construct chainמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place, tabernacle'; from שָׁכַן (cf. v. 3's שֹׁכֵן) — YHWH's abode, source of the sacred dust.
יִקַּ֥חhe shall takeQal impf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause, resuming the sequence)→ Yiqtol continuing the weqatal chain: the priest's action with the dust specificallyלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; resumed after the relative clause to specify the actual act with the dust.
הַכֹּהֵ֖ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of יִקַּח (resumptive)כֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; subject repeated for clarity after the intervening relative clause.
וְנָתַ֥ןand he shall putconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: the final act of preparationנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put'; the dust is mixed into the holy water.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of directionאֶל (H413) 'to, into'; direction of the dust's placement.
הַמָּֽיִםthe waterart + N m pl abs (form) · מַיִם (H4325)Object of the preposition אֶלמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the same holy water of v. 17a, now mixed with sanctuary dust to form the ordeal potion.
18
וְהֶעֱמִ֨יד הַכֹּהֵ֥ן אֶֽת הָאִשָּׁה֮ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָה֒ וּפָרַע֙ אֶת רֹ֣אשׁ הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה וְנָתַ֣ן עַל כַּפֶּ֗יהָ אֵ֚ת מִנְחַ֣ת הַזִּכָּר֔וֹן מִנְחַ֥ת קְנָאֹ֖ת הִ֑וא וּבְיַ֤ד הַכֹּהֵן֙ יִהְי֔וּ מֵ֥י הַמָּרִ֖ים הַמְאָֽרֲרִֽים
And the priest shall set the woman before YHWH and loosen the hair of the woman's head, and put in her hands the grain offering of remembrance — that is, the grain offering of jealousy — while in the priest's own hand shall be the water of bitterness that brings the curse.
Three visual elements are arranged simultaneously: the woman stands before YHWH with disheveled hair (a mark of exposure), the accusation-offering in her own hands (implicating her in presenting the case against herself), and the cursed water held by the priest alone — she does not control the instrument that will judge her.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וְהֶעֱמִ֨ידand he shall setconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: resumes v. 16's positioning act as the ritual proper beginsעָמַד (H5975) Hiphil 'to cause to stand'; repeated from v. 16, marking the formal start of the ordeal ceremony itself.
הַכֹּהֵ֥ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְהֶעֱמִידכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָאִשָּׁה as the direct object.
הָאִשָּׁה֮the womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct objectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; the accused wife, now formally positioned for the ordeal proper.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N common pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase of locationפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; repeated from v. 16.
יְהוָה֒YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the preposition לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068).
וּפָרַע֙and he shall loosenconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · פָּרַע (H6544)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: the next ritual actionפָּרַע (H6544) 'to let loose, unbind'; disheveling the woman's hair — a sign of mourning/exposure elsewhere too (cf. Lev 21:10), visually marking her dishonored, vulnerable status before judgment.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking רֹאשׁ as the object.
רֹ֣אשׁthe head ofN m sg constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Direct object (construct head)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; 'the hair of the head' by metonymy — the head itself as the location loosened.
הָֽאִשָּׁ֔הof the womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Genitive completing the construct chainאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; repeated as genitive.
וְנָתַ֣ןand he shall putconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: continuing ritual actionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put'; placing the offering in the woman's own hands.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of locationעַל (H5921) 'upon'.
כַּפֶּ֗יהָher palmsN f dual constr + 3fs suffix · כַּף (H3709)Object of the preposition עַלכַּף (H3709) 'palm (of hand)'; dual form — the offering is placed literally in her own two hands, implicating her directly in presenting the accusation-offering.
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking מִנְחַת הַזִּכָּרוֹן as the object of וְנָתַן.
מִנְחַ֣תthe grain offering ofN f sg constr · מִנְחָה (H4503)Direct object (construct head)מִנְחָה (H4503) 'grain offering'; the offering prepared in v. 15.
הַזִּכָּר֔וֹןof remembranceart + N m sg abs · זִכָּרוֹן (H2146)Genitive completing the construct chainזִכָּרוֹן (H2146) 'remembrance'; repeated from v. 15.
מִנְחַ֥תthe grain offering ofN f sg constr · מִנְחָה (H4503)Predicate nominative, appositional restatement (construct head)מִנְחָה (H4503), repeated in apposition.
קְנָאֹ֖תof jealousyN f pl abs · קִנְאָה (H7068)Genitive completing the construct chainקִנְאָה (H7068), plural; repeated from v. 15, reaffirming the offering's identity.
הִ֑ואit (is)indep pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject/copula of the verbless clauseהִיא (H1931), independent pronoun serving as copula, feminine agreeing with מִנְחָה.
וּבְיַ֤דand in the hand ofconj וְ + prep בְּ + N common sg constr · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (construct head), fronted for emphasisיָד (H3027) 'hand'; fronted topic — emphasizing that the ordeal water, unlike the offering, remains in the priest's hand, not the woman's.
הַכֹּהֵן֙the priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Genitive completing the construct chainכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; he alone controls the bitter water.
יִהְי֔וּshall beQal impf 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: a description of ritual arrangementהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; plural agreeing with מֵי — 'the waters shall be'.
מֵ֥יthe waters ofN m pl constr · מַיִם (H4325)Subject (construct head)מַיִם (H4325) 'water'; construct form heading the technical designation of the ordeal potion.
הַמָּרִ֖יםbitternessart + adj m pl abs (substantive) · מַר (H4751)Genitive completing the construct chainמַר (H4751) 'bitter'; substantivized plural, 'the bitter things/bitterness' — describes the potion's effect (and likely its literal taste, from the dust/ash).
הַמְאָֽרֲרִֽיםthat bring the curseart + Piel active ptc mp · אָרַר (H779)Attributive participle modifying מֵי הַמָּרִים→ Participle: the water's inherent, activated curse-bearing potencyאָרַר (H779) Piel 'to curse'; participle 'cursing, curse-bringing' — the full technical name מֵי הַמָּרִים הַמְאָרֲרִים, 'the water of bitterness that brings the curse', names the potion's judicial function.
19
וְהִשְׁבִּ֨יעַ אֹתָ֜הּ הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְאָמַ֤ר אֶל הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ אִם לֹ֨א שָׁכַ֥ב אִישׁ֙ אֹתָ֔ךְ וְאִם לֹ֥א שָׂטִ֛ית טֻמְאָ֖ה תַּ֣חַת אִישֵׁ֑ךְ הִנָּקִ֕י מִמֵּ֛י הַמָּרִ֥ים הַֽמְאָרֲרִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה
And the priest shall make her swear and say to the woman: If no man has lain with you, and if you have not gone astray into uncleanness while under your husband's authority, be immune from this water of bitterness that brings the curse.
The oath is formulated as a conditional blessing: were she innocent (the double אִם...לֹא), she is declared exempt from the water's power. This positive half prepares for the mirrored curse-formula of vv. 21-22, which states the negative counterpart in full.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְהִשְׁבִּ֨יעַand he shall make swearconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: the priest's judicial-ritual action of administering the oathשָׁבַע (H7650) Hiphil 'to cause to swear, adjure'; the priest places the woman under a binding oath — the legal mechanism of the ordeal.
אֹתָ֜הּherobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) with suffix, referring to the woman.
הַכֹּהֵ֗ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְהִשְׁבִּיעַכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'.
וְאָמַ֤רand he shall sayconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: introducing the oath's actual wordingאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the direct-speech oath formula.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
הָֽאִשָּׁה֙the womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of the preposition אֶלאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; direct addressee of the oath.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional subordinating conjunction introducing the oath's protasisאִם (H518) 'if'; standard oath-formula conditional.
לֹ֨אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard negative.
שָׁכַ֥בhas lainQal perf 3ms · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate verb of the oath's protasis→ Perfective: the hypothetical past act being sworn againstשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; euphemistic for intercourse, repeated from v. 13.
אִישׁ֙a manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of שָׁכַבאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; any man other than her husband.
אֹתָ֔ךְwith youobj marker + 2fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object (idiomatic 'lie with')אֵת (H853) with 2fs suffix; second-person address within the oath, שָׁכַב אֹתָךְ 'lain with you'.
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Coordinated conditional clauseאִם (H518) 'if'; the oath's second, parallel condition.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard negative.
שָׂטִ֛יתyou have gone astrayQal perf 2fs · שָׂטָה (H7847)Predicate verb of the second protasis→ Perfective: the hypothetical prior act, now direct second-person addressשָׂטָה (H7847) 'to turn aside, go astray'; repeats v. 12's verb, now addressed directly to the woman in the oath.
טֻמְאָ֖הinto uncleannessN f sg abs · טֻמְאָה (H2932)Adverbial accusative of manner/resultטֻמְאָה (H2932) 'uncleanness'; the resulting state of the illicit act, sworn against.
תַּ֣חַתwhile under (the authority of)prep · תַּחַת (H8478)Adverbial prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, in place of'; here 'under the authority/marriage of', i.e. while married to.
אִישֵׁ֑ךְyour husbandN m sg constr + 2fs suffix · אִישׁ (H376)Object of the preposition תַּחַתאִישׁ (H376) 'husband'; second-person, addressed directly.
הִנָּקִ֕יbe freeNiphal impv 2fs · נָקָה (H5352)Predicate verb (imperative apodosis of the oath)→ Volitional/imperative: the oath's conditional blessing, pronounced upon her if innocentנָקָה (H5352) Niphal 'to be clean, free, exempt'; the imperative functions performatively — 'may you be immune' from the water's effect.
מִמֵּ֛יfrom the waters ofprep מִן + N m pl constr · מַיִם (H4325)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source of exemption)מַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the ordeal potion from whose curse she is (conditionally) exempted.
הַמָּרִ֥יםof bitternessart + adj m pl abs (substantive) · מַר (H4751)Genitive completing the construct chainמַר (H4751) 'bitter'; repeated technical term.
הַֽמְאָרֲרִ֖יםthat bring the curseart + Piel active ptc mp · אָרַר (H779)Attributive participle modifying מֵי הַמָּרִים→ Participle: the water's curse-bearing function, repeatedאָרַר (H779) Piel 'to curse'; repeated technical designation of the ordeal water.
הָאֵֽלֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Demonstrative adjective modifying הַמָּרִים הַמְאָרֲרִיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; points deictically to the specific water the priest holds, present at the ceremony.
20
וְאַ֗תְּ כִּ֥י שָׂטִ֛ית תַּ֥חַת אִישֵׁ֖ךְ וְכִ֣י נִטְמֵ֑את וַיִּתֵּ֨ן אִ֥ישׁ בָּךְ֙ אֶת שְׁכָבְתּ֔וֹ מִֽבַּלְעֲדֵ֖י אִישֵֽׁךְ
But if you have gone astray while under your husband's authority, and if you have defiled yourself, and a man other than your husband has had intercourse with you —
The fronted, emphatic וְאַתְּ ('but as for you') pivots from the general oath of v. 19 to the specific guilty scenario; the unusual wayyiqtol וַיִּתֵּן embedded in the conditional clause heightens the vividness of the accusation being spoken directly to the woman's face.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְאַ֗תְּbut you,conj וְ + indep pron 2fs · אַתְּ (H859)Casus pendens (fronted topic), subject of the following verbsאַתְּ (H859), independent 2fs pronoun; fronted for emphasis, switching from the general oath to the guilty case directly addressed to her.
כִּ֥יifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional subordinating conjunctionכִּי (H3588), conditional 'if'; introduces the guilty-case protasis, continuing the oath's structure.
שָׂטִ֛יתyou have gone astrayQal perf 2fs · שָׂטָה (H7847)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Perfective: the hypothetical guilty actשָׂטָה (H7847) 'to go astray'; repeated a third time, now within the curse-oath proper.
תַּ֥חַתwhile under (the authority of)prep · תַּחַת (H8478)Adverbial prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under'; repeated from v. 19.
אִישֵׁ֖ךְyour husbandN m sg constr + 2fs suffix · אִישׁ (H376)Object of the preposition תַּחַתאִישׁ (H376) 'husband'.
וְכִ֣יand ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Coordinated conditional clauseכִּי (H3588), conditional, coordinated with the first.
נִטְמֵ֑אתyou have defiled yourselfNiphal perf 2fs · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb of the second protasis→ Perfective, reflexive-passive: the resulting state of defilementטָמֵא (H2930) Niphal 'to defile oneself'; second-person, directly addressed within the curse-oath.
וַיִּתֵּ֨ןand has givenconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb, narrative-style continuation within the oath's conditional clause→ Wayyiqtol: an unusual narrative form embedded in legal/oath discourse, marking the culminating conditionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; euphemistic, 'given his seed' — completes the description of the illicit intercourse.
אִ֥ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וַיִּתֵּןאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the paramour.
בָּךְ֙to youprep בְּ + 2fs suffix · בְּAdverbial prepositional phraseבְּ 'in, to'; marks the woman as recipient.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking שְׁכָבְתּוֹ as the direct object.
שְׁכָבְתּ֔וֹhis emissionN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · שְׁכֹבֶת (H7903)Direct objectשְׁכֹבֶת (H7903) 'lying, emission'; cognate to שָׁכַב and שִׁכְבַת (v. 13) — seminal emission, i.e. sexual intercourse.
מִֽבַּלְעֲדֵ֖יbesides, other thanprep מִן + prep · בִּלְעֲדֵי (H1107)Prepositional phrase of exceptionבִּלְעֲדֵי (H1107) 'apart from, besides'; specifies that the man in question is not her husband.
אִישֵֽׁךְyour husbandN m sg constr + 2fs suffix · אִישׁ (H376)Genitive completing the prepositional phraseאִישׁ (H376) 'husband'; the illicit partner is emphatically other than her lawful husband.
21
וְהִשְׁבִּ֨יעַ הַכֹּהֵ֥ן אֶֽת הָֽאִשָּׁה֮ בִּשְׁבֻעַ֣ת הָאָלָה֒ וְאָמַ֤ר הַכֹּהֵן֙ לָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה יִתֵּ֨ן יְהוָ֥ה אוֹתָ֛ךְ לְאָלָ֥ה וְלִשְׁבֻעָ֖ה בְּת֣וֹךְ עַמֵּ֑ךְ בְּתֵ֨ת יְהוָ֤ה אֶת יְרֵכֵךְ֙ נֹפֶ֔לֶת וְאֶת בִּטְנֵ֖ךְ צָבָֽה
then the priest shall make the woman swear with the oath of the curse, and the priest shall say to the woman: 'May YHWH make you a curse and an oath among your people, when YHWH makes your thigh fall away and your belly swell;
The oath's actual wording begins here: the woman is to become a proverbial 'curse and oath' — a byword invoked when others swear — should she be guilty, with the specific physical sign being a wasting thigh and swelling belly. The precise physiological referent of this pair remains one of the chapter's classic interpretive cruxes.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וְהִשְׁבִּ֨יעַand he shall make swearconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: the priest's action, resuming/specifying v. 19's general oathשָׁבַע (H7650) Hiphil 'to cause to swear'; repeated, now specifying the particular oath-form to be used.
הַכֹּהֵ֥ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְהִשְׁבִּיעַכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָאִשָּׁה as the direct object.
הָֽאִשָּׁה֮the womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct objectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'.
בִּשְׁבֻעַ֣תwith the oath ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · שְׁבוּעָה (H7621)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner (construct head)שְׁבוּעָה (H7621) 'oath'; specifies the particular oath-formula about to be spoken.
הָאָלָה֒the curseart + N f sg abs · אָלָה (H423)Genitive completing the construct chainאָלָה (H423) 'curse, imprecation'; a solemn self-curse invoked as part of an oath — the technical term for the sotah's binding formula, distinct from קְלָלָה (a general curse).
וְאָמַ֤רand he shall sayconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: introducing the actual curse-oath wordingאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the direct-speech curse formula.
הַכֹּהֵן֙the priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְאָמַר (resumptive)כֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; subject repeated for clarity.
לָֽאִשָּׁ֔הto the womanprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Indirect object of וְאָמַראִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; recipient of the curse-oath.
יִתֵּ֨ןmay he makeQal impf (jussive) 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (jussive main clause of the curse-oath)→ Jussive: the invoked curse, a performative wish/imprecationנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, make'; jussive 'may YHWH make/render you...' — the formal wording of the imprecation.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יִתֵּןיְהוָה (H3068); the curse's invoked agent — only YHWH can execute it, since no human enforces it.
אוֹתָ֛ךְyouobj marker + 2fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) with suffix, the woman as direct object of the imprecation.
לְאָלָ֥הa curseprep לְ + N f sg abs · אָלָה (H423)Predicate complement (result), first of a pairאָלָה (H423) 'curse'; she is to become a proverbial example/byword of cursedness.
וְלִשְׁבֻעָ֖הand an oath (formula)conj וְ + prep לְ + N f sg abs · שְׁבוּעָה (H7621)Predicate complement (result), second of the pairשְׁבוּעָה (H7621) 'oath'; she is to become a byword invoked in others' oaths, e.g. 'may I become like her'.
בְּת֣וֹךְin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial prepositional phrase (construct head)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst'; specifies the public, communal scope of the imprecation.
עַמֵּ֑ךְyour peopleN m sg constr + 2fs suffix · עַם (H5971)Genitive completing the construct chainעַם (H5971) 'people'; the curse's effect is meant to be publicly visible among her own kin.
בְּתֵ֨תwhen he causes to fallprep בְּ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Temporal infinitive construct clause→ Infinitive construct: specifies the precise moment/means of the curse's executionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; idiomatically 'cause to fall/sag' — the physical mechanism by which the curse manifests.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of בְּתֵתיְהוָה (H3068); repeated, the executor of the physical sign.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking יְרֵכֵךְ as the object.
יְרֵכֵךְ֙your thighN f sg constr + 2fs suffix · יָרֵךְ (H3409)Direct objectיָרֵךְ (H3409) 'thigh, loin'; a euphemism reaching into the reproductive/genital area — the physical locus of the curse's effect, likely signaling miscarriage or reproductive collapse.
נֹפֶ֔לֶתfalling awayQal active ptc fs · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate complement (object complement) of יְרֵכֵךְ→ Participle: the ongoing/resultative physical symptomנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; participle describing the thigh's wasting/collapsing — the visible sign of the curse taking effect.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinated direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking בִּטְנֵךְ as the second object.
בִּטְנֵ֖ךְyour bellyN f sg constr + 2fs suffix · בֶּטֶן (H990)Direct objectבֶּטֶן (H990) 'belly, womb'; the second physical locus, together with יָרֵךְ forming the pair describing the visible curse-symptom.
צָבָֽהswellingadj f sg abs · צָבֶה (H6639)Predicate complement (object complement) of בִּטְנֵךְצָבֶה (H6639) 'swollen, distended'; hapax adjective — the visible physical sign paired with the wasting thigh; the exact medical referent (miscarriage, prolapse, edema) is debated.
22
וּ֠בָאוּ הַמַּ֨יִם הַמְאָרְרִ֤ים הָאֵ֨לֶּה֙ בְּֽמֵעַ֔יִךְ לַצְבּ֥וֹת בֶּ֖טֶן וְלַנְפִּ֣ל יָרֵ֑ךְ וְאָמְרָ֥ה הָאִשָּׁ֖ה אָמֵ֥ן אָמֵֽן
and this water that brings the curse shall enter your bowels, to make your belly swell and your thigh fall away.' And the woman shall say, 'Amen, amen.'
The curse formula concludes by naming its physical mechanism explicitly, then the woman herself seals it with a doubled אָמֵן — the strongest possible ritual assent, voluntarily binding the potential curse upon her own body regardless of her actual guilt or innocence.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וּ֠בָאוּand shall enterconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (continuing the curse-oath, main clause)→ Weqatal: the curse's mechanism, continuing the imprecationבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the water physically enters the woman's body to activate the curse.
הַמַּ֨יִםthe waterart + N m pl abs (form) · מַיִם (H4325)Subject of וּבָאוּמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the ordeal potion itself.
הַמְאָרְרִ֤יםthat bring the curseart + Piel active ptc mp · אָרַר (H779)Attributive participle modifying הַמַּיִם→ Participle: the water's curse-bearing function, repeatedאָרַר (H779) Piel 'to curse'; the technical designation repeated once more.
הָאֵ֨לֶּה֙theseart + demonstrative pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Demonstrative adjective modifying הַמַּיִםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; deictic, the actual water present at the rite.
בְּֽמֵעַ֔יִךְinto your bowelsprep בְּ + N m pl constr + 2fs suffix · מֵעֶה (H4578)Adverbial prepositional phrase of directionמֵעֶה (H4578) 'bowels, inward parts'; the water's entry point, penetrating into her body's interior.
לַצְבּ֥וֹתto make swellprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · צָבָה (H6638)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive construct: the intended effect of the water's entryצָבָה (H6638) Hiphil 'to cause to swell'; the verbal counterpart to the adjective צָבֶה of v. 21.
בֶּ֖טֶןthe bellyN f sg abs · בֶּטֶן (H990)Direct object of לַצְבּוֹתבֶּטֶן (H990) 'belly, womb'; repeated from v. 21.
וְלַנְפִּ֣לand to make fallconj וְ + prep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · נָפַל (H5307)Purpose infinitive, coordinated→ Infinitive construct: the second intended effectנָפַל (H5307) Hiphil 'to cause to fall'; the causative counterpart to the participle נֹפֶלֶת of v. 21.
יָרֵ֑ךְthe thighN f sg abs · יָרֵךְ (H3409)Direct object of וְלַנְפִּליָרֵךְ (H3409) 'thigh'; repeated from v. 21.
וְאָמְרָ֥הand shall sayconj וְ + Qal perf 3fs (weqatal) · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative resumption after the quoted oath)→ Weqatal: the woman's required ritual responseאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the woman's own verbal participation, sealing the oath upon herself.
הָאִשָּׁ֖הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject of וְאָמְרָהאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; now speaking, not merely spoken to.
אָמֵ֥ןAmen,adverb (affirmation particle) · אָמֵן (H543)Interjection/response formula, first of a doubled pairאָמֵן (H543) 'truly, so be it', from אמן 'to be firm, faithful'; the woman's ritual acceptance of the oath's terms, whatever the outcome.
אָמֵֽןamenadverb (affirmation particle) · אָמֵן (H543)Interjection/response formula, second of the pairאָמֵן (H543), doubled for emphasis — the strongest form of ritual assent in Hebrew, binding her irrevocably to the oath's conditions.
23
וְ֠כָתַב אֶת הָאָלֹ֥ת הָאֵ֛לֶּה הַכֹּהֵ֖ן בַּסֵּ֑פֶר וּמָחָ֖ה אֶל מֵ֥י הַמָּרִֽים
Then the priest shall write these curses on a scroll, and wash them off into the water of bitterness.
A striking ritual mechanism: the spoken curse of vv. 21-22 is written down and then physically dissolved into the water the woman is about to drink — the written word itself becomes ingested, making the potion a literal vehicle of the curse's content, not merely a symbol of it.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְ֠כָתַבand he shall writeconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · כָּתַב (H3789)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: the priest's ritual documentation of the curseכָּתַב (H3789) 'to write'; the curse-words are physically inscribed, a rare instance of written words entering a ritual act directly.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָאָלֹת as the direct object.
הָאָלֹ֥תthe cursesart + N f pl abs · אָלָה (H423)Direct objectאָלָה (H423) 'curse'; plural, referring to the curse-formula of vv. 21-22 in its written form.
הָאֵ֛לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Demonstrative adjective modifying הָאָלֹתאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the specific curse-words just spoken.
הַכֹּהֵ֖ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְכָתַבכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'.
בַּסֵּ֑פֶרin the scrollprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · סֵפֶר (H5612)Adverbial prepositional phrase of locationסֵפֶר (H5612) 'scroll, document'; a small writing surface for the brief curse text, later washed off.
וּמָחָ֖הand he shall wash offconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · מָחָה (H4229)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: the culminating act transferring the written curse into the waterמָחָה (H4229) 'to wipe, blot out'; the ink of the written curse is dissolved into the water — the words themselves become physically part of the potion the woman will drink.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of directionאֶל (H413) 'to, into'.
מֵ֥יthe waters ofN m pl constr · מַיִם (H4325)Object of the preposition אֶל (construct head)מַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the ordeal potion, now to receive the dissolved curse-ink.
הַמָּרִֽיםof bitternessart + adj m pl abs (substantive) · מַר (H4751)Genitive completing the construct chainמַר (H4751) 'bitter'; completing the technical name of the potion.
24
וְהִשְׁקָה֙ אֶת הָ֣אִשָּׁ֔ה אֶת מֵ֥י הַמָּרִ֖ים הַמְאָֽרֲרִ֑ים וּבָ֥אוּ בָ֛הּ הַמַּ֥יִם הַֽמְאָרֲרִ֖ים לְמָרִֽים
Then he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that brings the curse, and the water that brings the curse shall enter her to become bitterness.
The narrated act (she drinks) deliberately echoes the earlier imprecation almost word for word (cf. v. 22), marking the moment where the spoken/written curse passes from formula into physical reality inside the woman's own body.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְהִשְׁקָה֙and he shall make drinkconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) · שָׁקָה (H8248)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: the culminating ritual act of the ordealשָׁקָה (H8248) Hiphil 'to give to drink'; the decisive moment of the ordeal — the woman ingests the water.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָאִשָּׁה as the direct object.
הָ֣אִשָּׁ֔הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct objectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking מֵי הַמָּרִים as the second object.
מֵ֥יthe waters ofN m pl constr · מַיִם (H4325)Direct object (construct head)מַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the completed ordeal potion, now administered.
הַמָּרִ֖יםof bitternessart + adj m pl abs (substantive) · מַר (H4751)Genitive completing the construct chainמַר (H4751) 'bitter'.
הַמְאָֽרֲרִ֑יםthat bring the curseart + Piel active ptc mp · אָרַר (H779)Attributive participle modifying מֵי הַמָּרִים→ Participle: repeated technical designationאָרַר (H779) Piel 'to curse'; the full name of the potion repeated once more.
וּבָ֥אוּand shall enterconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: the water's active entry into her body, echoing v. 22בּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; repeated from v. 22, now as narrated fact rather than quoted imprecation.
בָ֛הּinto herprep בְּ + 3fs suffix · בְּAdverbial prepositional phraseבְּ 'into, in'; the water's destination.
הַמַּ֥יִםthe waterart + N m pl abs (form) · מַיִם (H4325)Subject of וּבָאוּמַיִם (H4325) 'water'.
הַֽמְאָרֲרִ֖יםthat bring the curseart + Piel active ptc mp · אָרַר (H779)Attributive participle modifying הַמַּיִם→ Participle: repeated technical designationאָרַר (H779) Piel 'to curse'; repeated once more.
לְמָרִֽיםto become bitterprep לְ + adj m pl abs (substantive) · מַר (H4751)Adverbial prepositional phrase of resultמַר (H4751) 'bitter'; the resultative purpose — the water becomes bitterness (in effect/experience) within her, activating the curse.
25
וְלָקַ֤ח הַכֹּהֵן֙ מִיַּ֣ד הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה אֵ֖ת מִנְחַ֣ת הַקְּנָאֹ֑ת וְהֵנִ֤יף אֶת הַמִּנְחָה֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה וְהִקְרִ֥יב אֹתָ֖הּ אֶל הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ
Then the priest shall take from the woman's hand the grain offering of jealousy, and wave the offering before YHWH, and bring it near to the altar.
The standard elevation-and-presentation gesture (תְּנוּפָה) is performed on the offering exactly as for any other grain offering — the ordinary cultic machinery continues even as the extraordinary water-ordeal is simultaneously working itself out in the woman's body.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְלָקַ֤חand he shall takeconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: the priest's action following administration of the waterלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the priest now handles the offering itself, completing the cultic rite.
הַכֹּהֵן֙the priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְלָקַחכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'.
מִיַּ֣דfrom the hand ofprep מִן + N common sg constr · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (construct head)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; the offering is taken back from her hands (cf. v. 18), where it had rested until now.
הָֽאִשָּׁ֔הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Genitive completing the construct chainאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking מִנְחַת הַקְּנָאֹת as the direct object.
מִנְחַ֣תthe grain offering ofN f sg constr · מִנְחָה (H4503)Direct object (construct head)מִנְחָה (H4503) 'grain offering'.
הַקְּנָאֹ֑תof jealousyart + N f pl abs · קִנְאָה (H7068)Genitive completing the construct chainקִנְאָה (H7068), plural; the offering's full technical name, repeated once more.
וְהֵנִ֤יףand he shall waveconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) · נוּף (H5130)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: the standard elevation-rite gesture for offeringsנוּף (H5130) Hiphil 'to wave, elevate'; the standard תְּנוּפָה gesture presenting an offering formally to YHWH (cf. Lev 7:30).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַמִּנְחָה as the object.
הַמִּנְחָה֙the grain offeringart + N f sg abs · מִנְחָה (H4503)Direct objectמִנְחָה (H4503) 'grain offering'.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N common pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase of locationפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; the offering is presented directly before YHWH.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the preposition לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068).
וְהִקְרִ֥יבand he shall bring nearconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: the offering's presentation at the altarקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil 'to bring near, present'; the offering is now brought to the altar, as the woman herself was in v. 16.
אֹתָ֖הּitobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) with 3fs suffix, referring to הַמִּנְחָה (feminine).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of directionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַthe altarart + N m sg abs · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Object of the preposition אֶלמִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar'; from זבח 'to sacrifice' — the offering's rite continues in parallel to the ordeal itself, though its outcome is not yet known.
26
וְקָמַ֨ץ הַכֹּהֵ֤ן מִן הַמִּנְחָה֙ אֶת אַזְכָּ֣רָתָ֔הּ וְהִקְטִ֖יר הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חָה וְאַחַ֛ר יַשְׁקֶ֥ה אֶת הָאִשָּׁ֖ה אֶת הַמָּֽיִם
And the priest shall take a handful from the grain offering, as its memorial portion, and burn it on the altar; and afterward he shall make the woman drink the water.
This verse clarifies the precise sequence only summarized in v. 24: the memorial handful is burned on the altar first, and only afterward (וְאַחַר) does the priest give the woman the water to drink — the cultic offering-rite for YHWH is completed before the ordeal proper takes physical effect.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְקָמַ֨ץand he shall take a handfulconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · קָמַץ (H7061)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: the standard grain-offering ritual gestureקָמַץ (H7061) 'to grasp, take a handful'; the standard technical gesture removing the memorial portion from a grain offering (cf. Lev 2:2).
הַכֹּהֵ֤ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְקָמַץכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase of sourceמִן (H4480) 'from'.
הַמִּנְחָה֙the grain offeringart + N f sg abs · מִנְחָה (H4503)Object of the preposition מִןמִנְחָה (H4503) 'grain offering'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking אַזְכָּרָתָהּ in apposition.
אַזְכָּ֣רָתָ֔הּits memorial portionN f sg constr + 3fs suffix · אַזְכָּרָה (H234)Direct object, in apposition specifying the handfulאַזְכָּרָה (H234) 'memorial portion', from זכר — the token handful burned on the altar representing the whole offering, echoing מִנְחַת זִכָּרוֹן of v. 15.
וְהִקְטִ֖ירand he shall burnconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) · קָטַר (H6999)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: the sacrificial act of combustionקָטַר (H6999) Hiphil 'to burn as incense/offering'; sends the memorial portion up in smoke to YHWH.
הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חָהto the altarart + N m sg abs + directional ה · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Adverbial accusative of direction (locative he)מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar'; directional suffix ה indicates motion toward — 'altarward'.
וְאַחַ֛רand afterwardconj וְ + adverb · אַחַר (H310)Adverbial phrase of sequenceאַחַר (H310) 'after, afterward'; marks the drinking as the final act, following the altar rite — establishing a definite sequence (offering burned first, water administered second) contrasting the compressed order of v. 24's summary.
יַשְׁקֶ֥הhe shall make drinkHiphil impf 3ms · שָׁקָה (H8248)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: the culminating act, now placed in explicit temporal sequenceשָׁקָה (H8248) Hiphil 'to give to drink'; repeated from v. 24, now given its precise place in the ritual order.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָאִשָּׁה as the object.
הָאִשָּׁ֖הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct objectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַמָּיִם as the second object.
הַמָּֽיִםthe waterart + N m pl abs (form) · מַיִם (H4325)Direct objectמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the ordeal potion, now explicitly stated to be given after the offering is burned.
27
וְהִשְׁקָ֣הּ אֶת הַמַּ֗יִם וְהָיְתָ֣ה אִֽם נִטְמְאָה֮ וַתִּמְעֹ֣ל מַ֣עַל בְּאִישָׁהּ֒ וּבָ֨אוּ בָ֜הּ הַמַּ֤יִם הַמְאָֽרֲרִים֙ לְמָרִ֔ים וְצָבְתָ֣ה בִטְנָ֔הּ וְנָפְלָ֖ה יְרֵכָ֑הּ וְהָיְתָ֧ה הָאִשָּׁ֛ה לְאָלָ֖ה בְּקֶ֥רֶב עַמָּֽהּ
And when he has made her drink the water — then, if she has defiled herself and acted unfaithfully against her husband, the water that brings the curse shall enter her and become bitter: her belly shall swell and her thigh shall fall away, and the woman shall become a curse among her people.
This verse converts the hypothetical curse-formula of vv. 21-22 into narrated, certain outcome: every element (bitter water entering her, swelling belly, falling thigh, becoming a curse among her people) is now stated as simple future fact, if she is actually guilty — the ordeal's logic assumes the water itself has no independent power except as YHWH's instrument against actual, hidden guilt.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְהִשְׁקָ֣הּand when he has made her drinkconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms + 3fs suffix (weqatal) · שָׁקָה (H8248)Temporal/circumstantial clause opening a new summarizing section→ Weqatal: resumptive summary — 'and it will be, once he has made her drink'שָׁקָה (H8248) Hiphil 'to give to drink' + 3fs object suffix; opens the chapter's summarizing statement of both possible outcomes.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַמַּיִם as direct object.
הַמַּ֗יִםthe waterart + N m pl abs (form) · מַיִם (H4325)Direct objectמַיִם (H4325) 'water'.
וְהָיְתָ֣הthen it shall beconj וְ + Qal perf 3fs (weqatal) · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause, introducing the outcome)→ Weqatal: introduces the described consequenceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; formulaic introduction to the described (guilty) outcome.
אִֽםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional subordinating conjunctionאִם (H518) 'if'; reintroduces the guilty condition for this summarizing description.
נִטְמְאָה֮she has defiled herselfNiphal perf 3fs · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Perfective, reflexive-passive: the actual state of guiltטָמֵא (H2930) Niphal 'to defile oneself'; repeated a final time, confirming the guilty scenario.
וַתִּמְעֹ֣לand has acted unfaithfullyconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · מָעַל (H4603)Predicate verb, narrative-style continuation→ Wayyiqtol: an unusual narrative form within this conditional description, echoing v. 20מָעַל (H4603) 'to act unfaithfully'; repeats v. 12's key term, confirming the covenant-breach framing.
מַ֣עַלa breach of faithN m sg abs · מַעַל (H4604)Cognate accusative (internal object) of וַתִּמְעֹלמַעַל (H4604) cognate noun reinforcing the verb, as in v. 12.
בְּאִישָׁהּ֒against her husbandprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3fs suffix · אִישׁ (H376)Adverbial prepositional phrase specifying the offended partyאִישׁ (H376) 'husband'; the party against whom the מַעַל was committed.
וּבָ֨אוּand shall enterconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: the water's effect, now stated as certain narrative outcomeבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; repeated a final time, now describing what will happen given actual guilt.
בָ֜הּinto herprep בְּ + 3fs suffix · בְּAdverbial prepositional phraseבְּ 'into'.
הַמַּ֤יִםthe waterart + N m pl abs (form) · מַיִם (H4325)Subject of וּבָאוּמַיִם (H4325) 'water'.
הַמְאָֽרֲרִים֙that bring the curseart + Piel active ptc mp · אָרַר (H779)Attributive participle modifying הַמַּיִם→ Participle: repeated technical designationאָרַר (H779) Piel 'to curse'; the technical name repeated a final time.
לְמָרִ֔יםto become bitterprep לְ + adj m pl abs (substantive) · מַר (H4751)Adverbial prepositional phrase of resultמַר (H4751) 'bitter'; repeated from v. 24.
וְצָבְתָ֣הand shall swellconj וְ + Qal perf 3fs (weqatal) · צָבָה (H6638)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: the curse's now-certain physical manifestationצָבָה (H6638) Qal 'to swell'; the actual, unhypothetical fulfillment of the curse-symptom named in v. 21.
בִטְנָ֔הּher bellyN f sg constr + 3fs suffix · בֶּטֶן (H990)Subject of וְצָבְתָהבֶּטֶן (H990) 'belly, womb'.
וְנָפְלָ֖הand shall fallconj וְ + Qal perf 3fs (weqatal) · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: the second, now-certain physical manifestationנָפַל (H5307) Qal 'to fall'; the actual fulfillment of the curse-symptom named in v. 21.
יְרֵכָ֑הּher thighN f sg constr + 3fs suffix · יָרֵךְ (H3409)Subject of וְנָפְלָהיָרֵךְ (H3409) 'thigh'.
וְהָיְתָ֧הand shall becomeconj וְ + Qal perf 3fs (weqatal) · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: the social/legal outcome, completing the curse's fulfillmentהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; introduces the final, social consequence of the curse's fulfillment.
הָאִשָּׁ֛הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject of וְהָיְתָהאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'.
לְאָלָ֖הa curseprep לְ + N f sg abs · אָלָה (H423)Predicate complement (result)אָלָה (H423) 'curse'; the imprecation of v. 21 is now stated as accomplished fact.
בְּקֶ֥רֶבin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Adverbial prepositional phrase (construct head)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; synonym of תָּוֶךְ used in v. 21, varying the vocabulary for the same public scope.
עַמָּֽהּher peopleN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · עַם (H5971)Genitive completing the construct chainעַם (H5971) 'people'; her own kin now witness her public disgrace, exactly as imprecated in v. 21.
28
וְאִם לֹ֤א נִטְמְאָה֙ הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה וּטְהֹרָ֖ה הִ֑וא וְנִקְּתָ֖ה וְנִזְרְעָ֥ה זָֽרַע
But if the woman has not defiled herself, and is clean, then she shall be free and shall conceive children.
The mirror-image conclusion to v. 27: exoneration (נִקְּתָה, echoing the oath's own verb in v. 19) is paired with fertility (נִזְרְעָה זָרַע) as the innocent woman's positive outcome — not merely the absence of harm, but active blessing, balancing the guilty woman's reproductive catastrophe.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional subordinating conjunction introducing the innocent caseאִם (H518) 'if'; pivots to the mirror-image, innocent scenario.
לֹ֤אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard negative.
נִטְמְאָה֙she has defiled herselfNiphal perf 3fs · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Perfective, reflexive-passive, negated: the innocent caseטָמֵא (H2930) Niphal 'to defile oneself'; negated here — the final occurrence of this key verb in the chapter, now denying guilt.
הָֽאִשָּׁ֔הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject of נִטְמְאָהאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'.
וּטְהֹרָ֖הand cleanconj וְ + adj f sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Predicate adjective of the verbless clauseטָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure'; positive counterpart to טָמֵא — her actual ritual status, now affirmed.
הִ֑ואshe (is)indep pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject/copula of the verbless clauseהִיא (H1931), independent pronoun serving as copula.
וְנִקְּתָ֖הthen she shall be freeconj וְ + Niphal perf 3fs (weqatal) · נָקָה (H5352)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: the innocent outcome — full exonerationנָקָה (H5352) Niphal 'to be clean, free, exempt'; the same verb imperatively invoked in v. 19's oath, now stated as her actual, realized outcome.
וְנִזְרְעָ֥הand shall conceiveconj וְ + Niphal perf 3fs (weqatal) · זָרַע (H2232)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: the positive, fertility-affirming consequence of vindicationזָרַע (H2232) Niphal 'to be sown, to conceive'; a rare Niphal usage — literally 'be seeded' — the innocent woman is blessed with fertility, the positive mirror of the guilty woman's reproductive ruin.
זָֽרַעseedN m sg abs · זֶרַע (H2233)Cognate accusative (internal object) of וְנִזְרְעָהזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; cognate accusative reinforcing the verb — she will bear children, direct proof of divine vindication.
29
זֹ֥את תּוֹרַ֖ת הַקְּנָאֹ֑ת אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּשְׂטֶ֥ה אִשָּׁ֛ה תַּ֥חַת אִישָׁ֖הּ וְנִטְמָֽאָה
This is the torah of jealousy: when a wife goes astray while under her husband's authority and defiles herself,
The closing formula זֹאת תּוֹרַת (matching Lev 6:9, 7:1, 7:11) frames vv. 12-28 as a single unified תּוֹרָה, naming it explicitly 'the law of jealousy' and restating its defining case in miniature before the final coda of vv. 30-31.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
זֹ֥אתthisdemonstrative pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject of the verbless clause (cataphoric)זֹאת (H2063) 'this'; the standard heading formula (cf. Lev 6:9), pointing forward to summarize the preceding law.
תּוֹרַ֖תthe torah ofN f sg constr · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Predicate nominative (construct head)תּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, law'; the technical closing-formula label for the whole ordinance just given.
הַקְּנָאֹ֑תof jealousyart + N f pl abs · קִנְאָה (H7068)Genitive completing the construct chainקִנְאָה (H7068), plural; the entire ordinance is named תּוֹרַת הַקְּנָאֹת, 'the law of jealousy'.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhenrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, here temporal/conditional 'when'.
תִּשְׂטֶ֥הgoes astrayQal impf 3fs · שָׂטָה (H7847)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: a generalized, repeatable caseשָׂטָה (H7847) 'to go astray'; the final occurrence of this root, closing the inclusio begun in v. 12.
אִשָּׁ֛הa wifeN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject of תִּשְׂטֶהאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'.
תַּ֥חַתwhile under (the authority of)prep · תַּחַת (H8478)Adverbial prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under'; repeated formula.
אִישָׁ֖הּher husbandN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · אִישׁ (H376)Object of the preposition תַּחַתאִישׁ (H376) 'husband'.
וְנִטְמָֽאָהand defiles herselfconj וְ + Niphal perf 3fs (weqatal) · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb continuing the relative clause→ Weqatal: the resulting condition, closing the summary caseטָמֵא (H2930) Niphal 'to defile oneself'; the closing occurrence of the chapter's central verb of guilt.
30
א֣וֹ אִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר תַּעֲבֹ֥ר עָלָ֛יו ר֥וּחַ קִנְאָ֖ה וְקִנֵּ֣א אֶת אִשְׁתּ֑וֹ וְהֶעֱמִ֤יד אֶת הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה וְעָ֤שָׂה לָהּ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן אֵ֥ת כָּל הַתּוֹרָ֖ה הַזֹּֽאת
or when a spirit of jealousy comes over a man and he is jealous of his wife — then he shall set the woman before YHWH, and the priest shall carry out for her the whole of this torah.
The colophon restates the triggering condition (jealousy) once more and reduces the entire elaborate procedure of vv. 16-28 to a single summary verb, עָשָׂה — the priest 'does' the whole law to her, closing the legal unit before the final one-verse coda on liability (v. 31).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunction, introducing an alternative caseאוֹ (H176) 'or'; reintroduces the jealousy-onset case as an alternative situation covered by the same law.
אִ֗ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Casus pendens (topic)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the husband, subject of the following relative clause.
אֲשֶׁ֨רover whomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle introducing תַּעֲבֹר.
תַּעֲבֹ֥רpassesQal impf 3fs · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: a general, recurring possibilityעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass over'; final occurrence of this idiom (cf. v. 14), 3fs agreeing with feminine רוּחַ.
עָלָ֛יוover himprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'.
ר֥וּחַa spirit ofN common sg constr · רוּחַ (H7307)Subject of תַּעֲבֹר (construct head)רוּחַ (H7307) 'spirit'; final occurrence, closing the chapter's repeated theme.
קִנְאָ֖הjealousyN f sg abs · קִנְאָה (H7068)Genitive completing the construct chainקִנְאָה (H7068), final occurrence of the chapter's title-word.
וְקִנֵּ֣אand he is jealous ofconj וְ + Piel perf 3ms (weqatal) · קָנֵא (H7065)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: the resulting suspicionקָנֵא (H7065) Piel 'to be jealous'; repeated verbatim from v. 14.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking אִשְׁתּוֹ as the object.
אִשְׁתּ֑וֹhis wifeN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct objectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'.
וְהֶעֱמִ֤ידthen he shall setconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: the required procedural response, resuming vv. 16/18עָמַד (H5975) Hiphil 'to cause to stand'; the standard positioning act, repeated a final time to summarize the whole procedure.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָאִשָּׁה as the direct object.
הָֽאִשָּׁה֙the womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct objectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N common pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase of locationפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; final occurrence of this phrase.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the preposition לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068).
וְעָ֤שָׂהand he shall carry outconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing the sequence)→ Weqatal: the summary act encompassing the entire preceding procedureעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; here 'perform, carry out (a law/rite)'; summarizes the entire preceding ritual in one verb.
לָהּ֙to herprep לְ + 3fs suffix · לְIndirect object of וְעָשָׂהלְ with 3fs suffix, 'to/for her'; the woman as the one upon whom the whole law is enacted.
הַכֹּהֵ֔ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְעָשָׂהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'.
אֵ֥ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking כָּל הַתּוֹרָה as the direct object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (construct head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; totality of the preceding ordinance.
הַתּוֹרָ֖הthe torahart + N f sg abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Genitive completing the construct chainתּוֹרָה (H8451) 'law, instruction'; the sotah ordinance as a whole, named for the second time (cf. v. 29).
הַזֹּֽאתthisart + demonstrative pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Demonstrative adjective modifying הַתּוֹרָהזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; deictic, pointing back over the entire unit vv. 12-29.
31
וְנִקָּ֥ה הָאִ֖ישׁ מֵעָוֺ֑ן וְהָאִשָּׁ֣ה הַהִ֔וא תִּשָּׂ֖א אֶת עֲוֺנָֽהּ
Then the man shall be free of iniquity, but that woman shall bear her iniquity.
The chapter's closing verse settles a question left implicit throughout: the husband incurs no guilt for invoking the ordeal, even if his suspicion proves baseless, while any actual guilt remains the woman's alone to bear — a stark asymmetry that closes both the sotah law and the chapter as a whole.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְנִקָּ֥הthen he shall be freeconj וְ + Niphal perf 3ms (weqatal) · נָקָה (H5352)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: the concluding declaration of the husband's legal statusנָקָה (H5352) Niphal 'to be clean, free, exempt'; the husband incurs no guilt for invoking the ordeal, whatever its outcome — bringing a jealousy-accusation is itself lawful.
הָאִ֖ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וְנִקָּהאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the husband, subject of the closing statement.
מֵעָוֺ֑ןfrom iniquityprep מִן + N common sg abs · עָוֹן (H5771)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source of exemption)עָוֹן (H5771) 'iniquity, guilt'; the husband bears no legal liability for subjecting his wife to the ordeal.
וְהָאִשָּׁ֣הbut that womanconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Casus pendens (topic), subject of the following verbאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; fronted for contrast with הָאִישׁ.
הַהִ֔ואthatart + indep pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Demonstrative adjective modifying הָאִשָּׁההִיא (H1931) with article, demonstrative 'that (very)'; specifies the particular woman under the ordeal.
תִּשָּׂ֖אshall bearQal impf 3fs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (main clause, closing the chapter)→ Yiqtol: the enduring consequence, if guiltyנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, bear, carry'; idiomatic 'bear one's iniquity' — accountability and its consequence fall on her alone, the chapter's final word.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking עֲוֺנָהּ as the direct object.
עֲוֺנָֽהּher iniquityN common sg constr + 3fs suffix · עָוֹן (H5771)Direct objectעָוֹן (H5771) 'iniquity, guilt'; the chapter's closing word — if she is truly guilty, the consequence is hers to bear, not her husband's, and not the community's.