Numbers 5:21 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Bible Comments

An oath — That is, a form of cursing, that when they would curse a person, they may wish that they may be as miserable as thou wast. Thy thigh — A modest expression, used both in scripture, as Genesis 46:26, Exodus 1:5, and other authors. To rot — Heb. to fall, that is, to die or waste away. To swell — Suddenly and violently till it burst, which the Jews note was frequent in this case. And it was a clear evidence of the truth of their religion.

Numbers 5:21

21 Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot,b and thy belly to swell;