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⇱ Numbers 5:13 by sleeping with another man, and it is concealed from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act),

Bible > Numbers > Chapter 5 > Verse 13
◄ Numbers 5:13 ►
New International Version
so that another man has sexual relations with her, and this is hidden from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she has not been caught in the act),

New Living Translation
and has sex with another man, but neither her husband nor anyone else knows about it. She has defiled herself, even though there was no witness and she was not caught in the act.

English Standard Version
if a man lies with her sexually, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband, and she is undetected though she has defiled herself, and there is no witness against her, since she was not taken in the act,

Berean Standard Bible
by sleeping with another man, and it is concealed from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act),

King James Bible
And a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and there be no witness against her, neither she be taken with the manner;

New King James Version
and a man lies with her carnally, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband, and it is concealed that she has defiled herself, and there was no witness against her, nor was she caught—

New American Standard Bible
and a man has sexual relations with her and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband and she remains undiscovered, although she has defiled herself, and there is no witness against her and she has not been caught in the act,

NASB 1995
and a man has intercourse with her and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband and she is undetected, although she has defiled herself, and there is no witness against her and she has not been caught in the act,

NASB 1977
and a man has intercourse with her and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband and she is undetected, although she has defiled herself, and there is no witness against her and she has not been caught in the act,

Legacy Standard Bible
and a man lies sexually with her, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband, and she is undetected; but she has defiled herself, and there is no witness against her, and she has not been caught in the act,

Amplified Bible
and a man is intimate with her, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband and it is kept secret, although she has defiled herself, and there is no witness against her and she has not been caught in the act,

Christian Standard Bible
and sleeps with another, but it is concealed from her husband, and she is undetected, even though she has defiled herself, since there is no witness against her, and she wasn’t caught in the act;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and sleeps with another, but it is concealed from her husband, and she is undetected, even though she has defiled herself, since there is no witness against her, and she wasn’t caught in the act;

American Standard Version
and a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and there be no witness against her, and she be not taken in the act;

English Revised Version
and a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and there be no witness against her, neither she be taken in the act;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
and may have had sexual intercourse with another man without her husband's knowledge. She may have kept it secret if there were no witnesses to accuse her and she wasn't caught in the act.

International Standard Version
a man has sexual relations with her and she conceals it from her husband, keeping it secret although she has defiled herself with there being no witnesses against her, but she was caught anyway.

NET Bible
and a man has sexual relations with her without her husband knowing it, and it is hidden that she has defiled herself, since there was no witness against her, nor was she caught--

New Heart English Bible
and a man lies with her carnally, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband, and is kept close, and she is defiled, and there is no witness against her, and she isn't taken in the act;

Webster's Bible Translation
And a man shall lie with her carnally, and it shall be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and there be no witness against her, neither she be taken with the manner;
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
by sleeping with another man, and it is concealed from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act),

World English Bible
and a man lies with her carnally, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband and this is kept concealed, and she is defiled, there is no witness against her, and she isn’t taken in the act;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and a man has lain with her [with] the seed [from] intercourse, and it has been hid from the eyes of her husband, and concealed, and she has been defiled, and there is no witness against her, and she has not been caught,

Young's Literal Translation
and a man hath lain with her with the seed of copulation, and it hath been hid from the eyes of her husband, and concealed, and she hath been defiled, and there is no witness against her, and she hath not been caught,

Smith's Literal Translation
And a man lay with her with emission of seed, and it was hid from the eyes of her husband, and it was covered, and she was defiled, and no witness against her, and she was not taken hold of.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Shall have slept with another man, and her husband cannot discover it, but the adultery is secret, and cannot be proved by witnesses, because she was not found in the adultery:

Catholic Public Domain Version
will have slept with another man, and if her husband cannot discover it, but the adultery is secret, and if it cannot be proved by witnesses, because she was not caught in the shameful act,

New American Bible
by virtue of a man having intercourse with her in secret from her husband and she is able to conceal the fact that she has defiled herself for lack of a witness who might have caught her in the act;

New Revised Standard Version
if a man has had intercourse with her but it is hidden from her husband, so that she is undetected though she has defiled herself, and there is no witness against her since she was not caught in the act;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And a man lies with her carnally and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband and the act is kept secret and she is defiled and there is no witness against her, neither is she caught in the act,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And a man will have sexual intercourse with her, copulating with seed, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband, and it is secret, and she is defiled, and there is no witness against her and she is not caught.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, she being defiled secretly, and there be no witness against her, neither she be taken in the act;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and supposing any one shall lie with her carnally, and the thing shall be hid from the eyes of her husband, and she should conceal it and be herself defiled, and there be no witness with her, and she should not be taken;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Adultery Test
…12“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him 13by sleeping with another man, and it is concealed from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act), 14and if a feeling of jealousy comes over her husband and he suspects his wife who has defiled herself—or if a feeling of jealousy comes over him and he suspects her even though she has not defiled herself—…

Cross References
Leviticus 20:10
If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.

Deuteronomy 22:22
If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.

John 8:4-5
and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. / In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?”

Proverbs 6:32-33
He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. / Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away.

Matthew 5:27-28
You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Exodus 20:14
You shall not commit adultery.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

2 Samuel 11:2-5
One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. / So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” / Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home. ...

Hosea 4:14
I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.

Jeremiah 29:23
For they have committed an outrage in Israel by committing adultery with the wives of their neighbors and speaking lies in My name, which I did not command them to do. I am He who knows, and I am a witness, declares the LORD.”

Ezekiel 16:38
And I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and those who shed blood; so I will bring upon you the wrath of your bloodshed and jealousy.

Romans 7:2-3
For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

Malachi 3:5
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.


Leviticus 18:20
Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her.

Leviticus 20:10
And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

Proverbs 7:18,19
Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves…

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Act Although Carnally Caught Close Concealed Copulation Defiled Eyes Herself Hid Hidden Husband Intercourse Keeps Kept Lain Lies Manner Secret Secretly Seed Sleeping Witness
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Act Although Carnally Caught Close Concealed Copulation Defiled Eyes Herself Hid Hidden Husband Intercourse Keeps Kept Lain Lies Manner Secret Secretly Seed Sleeping Witness
Numbers 5
1. The unclean are removed out of camp
5. Restitution is to be made in trespass
11. The trial of jealously














by sleeping with another man
This phrase addresses the act of adultery, which is a violation of the seventh commandment (Exodus 20:14). In the ancient Israelite context, adultery was considered a serious offense against the marriage covenant, which was a reflection of God's covenant with His people. The act of adultery not only broke the trust between husband and wife but also disrupted the social and religious order. The law given in Numbers 5 is part of a broader legal and moral framework designed to maintain purity and holiness among the Israelites.

and it is concealed from her husband
The concealment of the act suggests deceit and a breach of trust within the marriage. In biblical times, the family unit was central to societal stability, and any threat to its integrity was taken seriously. The concealment also implies a lack of repentance and acknowledgment of wrongdoing, which is significant in a culture that valued confession and restitution (Leviticus 5:5).

and her impurity is undetected
The term "impurity" here refers to the state of being ceremonially unclean, which had both physical and spiritual implications. In the Old Testament, impurity often required ritual purification to restore one's standing within the community and before God (Leviticus 15). The undetected impurity suggests a hidden sin, which is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing that God sees all, even what is hidden from human eyes (Psalm 139:1-4).

(since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act)
The absence of witnesses or evidence highlights the difficulty in proving such cases, which is why the law in Numbers 5 provides a specific ritual to determine guilt or innocence. This reflects the legal principle found in Deuteronomy 19:15, which requires two or three witnesses to establish a matter. The lack of witnesses underscores the importance of divine intervention in revealing truth, as seen in the ritual of the bitter water test that follows in the passage. This also points to the ultimate judgment of God, who knows the hearts and actions of all individuals (Hebrews 4:13).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Unfaithful Wife
The woman in question who is suspected of adultery, which is a serious offense in the Israelite community.

2. The Husband
The man who suspects his wife of infidelity but lacks evidence or witnesses to confirm his suspicions.

3. The Other Man
The individual who is alleged to have had sexual relations with the wife, contributing to the potential sin of adultery.

4. The Israelite Community
The broader context in which these laws are given, emphasizing the importance of purity and faithfulness.

5. The Tabernacle
The place where the ritual of the test for adultery would be conducted, highlighting the sacredness of the process.
Teaching Points
The Seriousness of Adultery
Adultery is not just a personal sin but a communal concern, affecting the fabric of the community and the sanctity of marriage.

The Importance of Evidence and Justice
The requirement for evidence or witnesses underscores the need for justice and fairness, preventing false accusations and ensuring due process.

The Role of the Tabernacle and Rituals
The involvement of the Tabernacle in resolving such disputes highlights the need for divine guidance and intervention in matters of moral and spiritual significance.

The Call to Personal Integrity
Believers are called to maintain personal integrity and faithfulness in their relationships, reflecting God's covenantal faithfulness.

The Need for Mercy and Forgiveness
While the law addresses sin, the New Testament calls believers to balance justice with mercy, following Christ's example of forgiveness.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Numbers 5:13?

2. How does Numbers 5:13 address marital faithfulness and trust within a marriage?

3. What steps are prescribed for suspected adultery in Numbers 5:13?

4. How does Numbers 5:13 connect with the Ten Commandments on adultery?

5. What lessons on integrity can be drawn from Numbers 5:13 for today?

6. How can Numbers 5:13 guide us in resolving suspicions in relationships?

7. What does Numbers 5:13 reveal about the treatment of women in biblical times?

8. How does Numbers 5:13 align with modern views on justice and fairness?

9. What historical evidence supports the practices described in Numbers 5:13?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 5?

11. What is the ritual for suspected adultery in Numbers?

12. Does Numbers 5 depict God commanding abortion?

13. Does Numbers 5 describe a ritual related to abortion?

14. What are the names and meanings of Israel's twelve tribes?
What Does Numbers 5:13 Mean
Sleeping with another man

“...but a man may have slept with her...” (Numbers 5:13)

• Scripture treats sexual intimacy as covenantal (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6). Any union outside marriage is adultery, a direct violation of the seventh commandment (Exodus 20:14; Proverbs 6:32-33).

• Adultery is not merely personal failure; it is sin against God (Psalm 51:4) and the community (Leviticus 20:10).

• The jealous-husband ordinance in Numbers 5 underscores God’s concern that marital faithfulness be guarded, even in cases where proof is unavailable.

and it is concealed from her husband

“...and it is concealed from her husband...”

• Sin often seeks secrecy (Job 24:15; John 3:19-20), yet God sees what spouses may miss (Hebrews 4:13).

• Concealment threatens the trust that marriage rests on (Malachi 2:14-16).

• Hidden sin, if unconfessed, eats away at conscience and relationship (Psalm 32:3-4).

and her impurity is undetected

“...and her impurity is undetected...”

• “Impurity” refers to both moral guilt and ceremonial defilement (Leviticus 18:20, 20:21).

• Though invisible to people, impurity disrupts fellowship with God (Isaiah 59:2) and invites discipline (Numbers 12:10-15).

• The law’s aim is restoration: exposing impurity makes cleansing possible (Psalm 51:7).

since there is no witness against her

“...since there is no witness against her...”

• Mosaic law required at least two witnesses to convict (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15).

• In cases lacking witnesses, human courts were powerless, yet God provided a procedure (Numbers 5:16-24) so justice would not be thwarted.

• This protects against false accusation (John 8:17) while still affirming that truth matters.

and she was not caught in the act

“...and she was not caught in the act.”

• Being “caught” established immediate legal proof (Deuteronomy 22:22). Without it, the issue moved from public tribunal to divine examination.

• God reserves the right to uncover what humans cannot (Luke 8:17; 1 Corinthians 4:5).

• The ordeal of bitter water (Numbers 5:24-28) places final judgment in His hands, showing that hidden sin is never ultimately hidden.

summary

Numbers 5:13 highlights the gravity of adultery, the vulnerability of concealed sin, and God’s provision for truth when human evidence is lacking. Marriage demands fidelity; secrecy cannot shield guilt from the Lord. The passage reassures the innocent, warns the guilty, and upholds God as the perfect Judge who brings hidden things to light for the sake of holiness and restored fellowship.

Verse 13. - If it be laid. Or, "if he be hid." This verse is explanatory of the former. Taken with the manner. The latter words are not in the Hebrew. It means no doubt "taken in the act" (cf. John 8:4). Αὐτὴ μὴ ῇ συνειλημμένη, Septuagint.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
by sleeping with
וְשָׁכַ֨ב (wə·šā·ḵaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7901: To lie down

another man,
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

and it is concealed
וְנֶעְלַם֙ (wə·ne‘·lam)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5956: To veil from sight, conceal

from
מֵעֵינֵ֣י (mê·‘ê·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

her husband
אִישָׁ֔הּ (’î·šāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

and her
וְהִ֣יא (wə·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

impurity
נִטְמָ֑אָה (niṭ·mā·’āh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean

is undetected
וְנִסְתְּרָ֖ה (wə·nis·tə·rāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5641: To hide, conceal

(since there is no
אֵ֣ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

witness against her
וְעֵד֙ (wə·‘êḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5707: A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince

and she
וְהִ֖וא (wə·hi·w)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

was not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

caught in the act),
נִתְפָּֽשָׂה׃ (niṯ·pā·śāh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 8610: To manipulate, seize, chiefly to capture, wield, to overlay, to use unwarrantably


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OT Law: Numbers 5:13 And a man lies with her carnally (Nu Num.)