Numbers 5:17

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:

American King James Version (AKJV)

And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:

American Standard Version (ASV)

and the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

And the priest will take holy water in a pot and put in it dust from the floor of the House;

Webster's Revision

And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:

World English Bible

and the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water.

English Revised Version (ERV)

and the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:

Definitions for Numbers 5:17

Tabernacle - A tent, booth or dwelling.

Clarke's Numbers 5:17 Bible Commentary

Holy water - Water out of the laver, called holy because consecrated to sacred uses. This is the most ancient case of the trial by ordeal. See at Numbers 5:31 (note).

In an earthen vessel - Supposed by the Jews to be such as had never been previously used.

Dust that is in the floor - Probably intended to point out the baseness of the crime of which she was accused.

Barnes's Numbers 5:17 Bible Commentary

The dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle - To set forth the fact that the water was endued with extraordinary power by Him who dwelt in the tabernacle. Dust is an emblem of a state of condemnation Genesis 3:14; Micah 7:17.

Wesley's Numbers 5:17 Bible Commentary

5:17 Holy water - Water of purification appointed for such uses. This was used, that if she were guilty, she might be afraid to add profaneness to her other crime. An earthen vessel - Because, after this use, it was to be broken in pieces, that the remembrance of it might be blotted out as far as was possible. Dust - An emblem of vileness and misery. From the floor of the tabernacle - Which made it holy dust, and struck the greater terror into the woman, if she were guilty.