Bitterness, Water Of
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Bitterness, Water Of in the Bible?
The water of bitterness was a ritual drink prepared from holy water and dust from the tabernacle floor, administered to a woman accused of adultery by her husband in the absence of witnesses, as described in Numbers 5:11-31.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this ritual clarifies the ancient Israelite legal framework where divine intervention served as the final arbiter in cases lacking human evidence, highlighting the societal emphasis on marital fidelity and communal purity.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Bitterness, Water Of. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Bitterness, Water Of in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Bitterness, Water Of clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Numbers 5:11-31
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Bitterness, Water Of." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/bitterness-water-of/