And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse:
Bitter water, х meey (H4325) hamaariym (H4751)] - water of bitterness, deadly waters. The water was not really bitter to the palate. But among the Hebrews and other Oriental people, the word bitter was frequently used for curse, and the phrase, considered in the literal meaning of the words, denotes not bitter water, but water of bitterness - i:e., of curse. The whole circumstances of this awful ceremony-her being placed with her face toward the ark-her uncovered head, a sign of her being deprived of the protection of her husband (1 Corinthians 11:7) - the bitter potion being put into her hands preparatory to an appeal to God-the solemn adjuration of the priest (Numbers 5:19-22), all were calculated in no common degree to excite and appal the imagination of a person conscious of guilt.