But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will be unaffected and able to conceive children.
Parallel translations
- WEB If the woman isn’t defiled, but is clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive offspring.
- KJV And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.
- NKJV But if the woman has not defiled herself, and is clean, then she shall be free and may conceive children.
- NASB But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will be immune and conceive children.
- NLT But if she has not defiled herself and is pure, then she will be unharmed and will still be able to have children.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
An innocent woman is vindicated, remains unharmed, and is even blessed with the ability to bear children.
Overview
The rite protected the innocent: clearance brought not just acquittal but blessing in fruitfulness. God's justice here defends the wrongly accused, a mercy in a patriarchal setting where suspicion alone could ruin a woman. It reflects the Lord who justifies and blesses those who are found clean before Him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Num 5:19And he is to put the woman under oath and say to her, ‘If no other man has slept with you and you have not gone astray and become defiled while under your husband’s authority, may you be immune to this bitter water that brings a curse.
- Mic 7:7–10But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.
- 2 Cor 4:17For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.
- Ps 113:9He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!
- 1 Pet 1:7so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
In the wilderness Christ is the water from the rock, the bronze serpent lifted up that the dying might look and live (John 3:14), and the star and scepter that Balaam saw rising out of Jacob.
How Numbers 5:28 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.