Numbers 5 Abortion?

Numbers 5 does not teach or endorse abortion. Some have tried to interpret the passage about the test for adultery (Numbers 5:11-31) as a case of forced miscarriage, but that is a misunderstanding of the text. Let’s examine the passage carefully.

The Test for Adultery in Numbers 5

This ritual was given for situations where a husband suspected his wife of adultery but had no proof. The process involved:

1. Bringing the woman before the priest.
2. Mixing holy water with dust from the Tabernacle floor.
3. The woman drinking the water after taking an oath of innocence.
4. If guilty, she would suffer physical consequences; if innocent, she would be unharmed.

Does the Passage Indicate a Miscarriage?

Some modern translations, like the NIV (2011 edition), say her womb will “miscarry” or she will have “barrenness.” However, the Hebrew text does not explicitly say she would lose a child. Instead, the phrase used is that her thigh will waste away, and her belly will swell (Numbers 5:27). This could refer to a variety of physical ailments, including infertility, but it does not necessarily mean pregnancy loss.

Why This Is Not an Abortion Passage

The woman is not assumed to be pregnant – The ritual is about proving guilt or innocence, not about ending a pregnancy.

The judgment comes from God, not from a human act – If guilty, she suffers divine punishment, not an intentional abortion.

If innocent, she remains unharmed – If this were a forced miscarriage, then an innocent woman could have lost a child, which contradicts the entire purpose of justice in this test.

A Christ-Centered Perspective

Rather than supporting abortion, Numbers 5 highlights God’s role as the ultimate Judge of hidden sin. This passage does not suggest that human intervention should cause the death of an unborn child. Instead, it demonstrates God’s justice, revealing guilt or innocence without human manipulation.

In contrast, Scripture consistently upholds the sanctity of life, including the life of the unborn (Psalm 139:13-16; Exodus 21:22-25). Christ, the true Judge, exposes sin but also offers redemption to sinners rather than destruction.

Conclusion

Numbers 5 does not support abortion in any way. The passage is about divine judgment, not the termination of a pregnancy. The idea that this text promotes abortion is a misreading influenced by modern debates rather than careful biblical exegesis.