Definition: 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:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Numbers 5:18. It’s a pretty serious and complex verse, so we'll go through it step-by-step to make sense of it. Here's the basic idea: This verse describes a ritual sacrifice – a special offering – that is designed to prevent a curse from beingfall on someone or something. It’s a crucial part of maintaining God’s holiness and protecting people. Let’s unpack each part: 1. “And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD…” This means we're talking about a religious ceremony where a priest is responsible for presenting a particular person or thing to God. The "LORD" refers to God. 2. “…and uncover the woman’s head…” This is a key point – the priest is uncovering the woman's head. It’s not just a simple display; it signifies revealing something important. 3. "...and put the offering of memorial in her hands…” This refers to a specific type of offering, often involving herbs and spices, that was used for remembrance and mourning. The "memorial" part means it's a symbolic act of remembering someone who died. 4. “which [is] the jealousy offering:” This is where it gets more complicated. “Jealousy” isn’t just about being upset; it’s a powerful feeling – a deep and intense desire for something to be taken away from someone else. The priest is presenting this offering as a way to counteract this jealousy. 5. “…and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse:” This is the most shocking part. The priest is being given a specific type of water – "bitter water" – and it’s connected to a curse. The priest knows this water has the power to cause harm, potentially even death or misfortune. Putting it all together - A Possible Interpretation: This verse describes a ritual where a priest is deliberately placing someone (often a child or a vulnerable person) before God in a symbolic way. The purpose is to actively prevent a curse from beingfall on that person. The priest is using the offering of memorial, and specifically the bitter water, as a tool to neutralize a feeling of intense jealousy – which, according to this passage, could be causing trouble or harm. Why is this verse important? This kind of ritual was part of ancient Jewish practice and served to protect people from negative influences and ensure God’s favor. It highlights the importance of remembering those who have passed away and offering prayers for their souls – a way to prevent misfortune from falling upon them. --- Disclaimer: I'm an AI Chatbot and not a religious scholar. This explanation is based on interpretations of biblical text and historical context. Would you like me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Provide a related story or example from the Bible?