What's striking here is how the details of the offering itself communicate the gravity and sorrow of the situation. The use of barley, the coarsest grain, and the deliberate omission of oil and frankincense—symbols of joy and acceptance—underscore that this is not an offering of celebration, but a somber acknowledgment of suspicion and potential guilt.
then the man shall bring his wife to the priest and bring the offering required of her, a tenth of an ephah of barley flour. He shall pour no oil on it and put no frankincense on it, for it is a grain offering of jealousy, a grain offering of remembrance, bringing iniquity to remembrance.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage details a specific legal procedure for a husband who suspects his wife of infidelity, especially if the suspected act was not witnessed. The man is to bring his wife to the priest, who will then oversee a special offering and a solemn ritual involving "bitter water" meant to reveal her guilt or innocence. This entire process is part of God's system for maintaining purity and justice within the Israelite community and upholding the sanctity of marriage.
Why would a suspected woman bring an offering? And why was it made of barley, with no oil or frankincense? The details speak volumes about her state.
This grain offering was unlike others.
A Humble Grain
Instead of fine wheat flour, this offering was made of barley. Barley was a coarser grain, often considered food for the poor or even animals. This symbolized the woman's 'low and vile estate,' whether deserved or not, highlighting her shame and the gravity of the suspicion against her.
Symbols Removed
Normally, oil and frankincense were part of grain offerings, symbolizing God's grace, acceptance, and joy. Their absence here was deliberate. It signified that this was not an offering of joyful acceptance, but one of sorrow, suspicion, and a reminder of potential sin. It was a 'mournful affair' for all involved.
This wasn't a casual accusation. The process described is intense, involving a priest, a special offering, and 'bitter water.' What does this reveal about God's view of marriage?
The ritual for suspected infidelity, including the jealousy offering, was a way for God to safeguard marriage and reveal hidden sin.
Divine Authority
This trial was conducted by a priest, bringing the woman 'before the Lord.' This wasn't just a man's suspicion; it was a divine inquiry. God presented Himself as the ultimate 'guardian and avenger of conjugal fidelity.'
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Revealing the Hidden
The offering and the 'bitter water' were designed to bring iniquity to remembrance, either before God or to the woman's own conscience. The absence of oil and frankincense showed that there was no 'grace' or 'acceptance' in this situation, only the stark reality of potential sin and its consequences.
Understand the original words
kohen · Hebrew Noun
A religious leader from the tribe of Levi responsible for performing sacrifices, teaching the law, and serving as a mediator between God and the people in the tabernacle/temple.
qorban · Hebrew Noun
A sacrifice presented to God, typically involving grain or animal blood, to express devotion, seek atonement, or honor a covenant commitment. It functions as a public act of worship or appeal for divine intervention.
ephah · Hebrew Noun
A standard of measurement used for dry goods in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to a bushel or approximately 22 liters.
lebonah · Hebrew Noun
A sweet-smelling resin used in the temple service, typically symbolizing prayer and the pleasing aroma of worship. Its absence in certain offerings signifies the somber or judicial nature of the ritual.
avon · Hebrew Noun
The biblical concept of wrongdoing, guilt, or moral perversion. It refers to a departure from the standard of God's righteousness, often implying the consequences or "stain" of sin that requires judgment or atonement.
This passage describes the grain offering, a common offering. Numbers 5:15 explicitly contrasts the jealousy offering by stating it has no oil or frankincense, highlighting the unique and somber nature of this specific ritual.
Leviticus 5:11-13Similar to the jealousy offering, a grain offering for a sin where a person cannot afford a lamb is made without oil and frankincense. This parallel emphasizes that the absence of these joyful elements signifies a connection to sin and a lack of perceived favor.
Psalm 141:2This psalm mentions that prayers (symbolized by incense) should be directed to God. The absence of frankincense in the jealousy offering underscores that it is not an offering of prayerful petition but rather a stark remembrance of potential sin and divine judgment.
Proverbs 31:10-31While Numbers 5:15 deals with suspicion and potential unfaithfulness, Proverbs 31 paints a picture of an excellent wife. This contrast highlights the high value God places on a wife's integrity and the community's trust, making the jealousy ordeal a serious matter.
John 6:9In this instance, barley bread is offered to feed a multitude, showcasing its use as basic sustenance. The use of barley meal for the jealousy offering, instead of fine wheat flour, signifies the low and possibly disgraced state of the suspected woman.
gillNumbers 5:15: "Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance."
Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest,.... Not to the high priest but to a common priest, anyone then officiating in his course; for there was a jealousy offering to be offered up be…
pulpitNumbers 5:15: "Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance."
Verse 15. - He shall bring her offering for her. קָדְבָּנָהּ, "her offering;" עָלֶיהָ, "on her account." It was to be a meat offering - not connected on this occasion with any other sacrifice -…
What's striking here is how the details of the offering itself communicate the gravity and sorrow of the situation. The use of barley, the coarsest grain, and the deliberate omission of oil and frankincense—symbols of joy and acceptance—underscore that this is not an offering of celebration, but a somber acknowledgment of suspicion and potential guilt.
This passage details a specific legal procedure for a husband who suspects his wife of infidelity, especially if the suspected act was not witnessed. The man is to bring his wife to the priest, who will then oversee a special offering and a solemn ritual involving "bitter water" meant to reveal her guilt or innocence. This entire process is part of God's system for maintaining purity and justice within the Israelite community and upholding the sanctity of marriage.
This passage details a specific legal procedure for a husband who suspects his wife of infidelity, especially if the suspected act was not witnessed. The man is to bring his wife to the priest, who will then oversee a special offering and a solemn ritual involving "bitter water" meant to reveal her guilt or innocence. This entire process is part of God's system for maintaining purity and justice within the Israelite community and upholding the sanctity of marriage.
"then the man shall bring his wife to the priest and bring the offering required of her, a tenth of an ephah of barley flour. He shall pour no oil on it and put no frankincense on it, for it is a grain offering of jealousy, a grain offering…" — What's striking here is how the details of the offering itself communicate the gravity and sorrow of the situation. The use of barley, the coarsest grain, and the deliberate omission of oil and frank…
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Last reviewed October 2026
