Numbers 5:19 New English Translation
19 Then the priest will put the woman under oath and say to her, “If no other[a] man has gone to bed[b] with you, and if you have not gone astray and become defiled while under your husband’s authority, may you be free from this bitter water that brings a curse.[c]
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- Numbers 5:19 tn The word “other” is implied, since the woman would not be guilty of having sexual relations with her own husband.
- Numbers 5:19 tn Heb “has lain down with.” The verb שָׁכַב (shakhav) “to lie down” acts as a euphemism, implying going to bed for sexual relations.
- Numbers 5:19 sn Although there would be stress involved, a woman who was innocent would have nothing to hide, and would be confident. The wording of the priest’s oath is actually designed to enable the potion to keep her from harm and not produce the physical effects it was designed to do.
New English Translation (NET)
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