Water Of Jealousy
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Water Of Jealousy in the Bible?
A ritual liquid used in a trial by ordeal to determine if a woman had been unfaithful to her husband. This practice is detailed in the legal prescriptions of Numbers 5:11-31.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this ritual clarifies the ancient Israelite approach to resolving suspicion of adultery without physical evidence, revealing how legal and purity laws intersected to maintain social order and marital trust within the biblical community.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Water Of Jealousy. 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 Water Of Jealousy in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Water Of Jealousy 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
"Water Of Jealousy." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/water-of-jealousy/