Definition: And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 5:14. It’s a really important passage about maintaining order and avoiding conflict within a community – specifically, a group of Jewish leaders. Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that jealousy is a serious problem when it arises among those entrusted with leading and governing a community. It’s warning against letting negative emotions like jealousy cloud judgment and lead to bad behavior. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And the spirit of jealousy come upon him…” – This means that someone is experiencing intense, often unpleasant feelings of resentment, anger, or distrust. It’s not just a fleeting thought; it’s a powerful emotion taking hold. “…and he be jealous of his wife…” - This is the core of the problem. The person who's feeling this jealousy is harboring an intense and harmful dislike for their spouse. They’re seeing them in a negative light. “And she be defiled:” – This is where it gets crucial. “Defiled” means stained, corrupted, or morally compromised. It suggests that this jealous person's behavior is causing harm to the marriage and possibly to the entire community. It implies something is wrong with the relationship or with how they are treating their spouse. The Purpose & Significance: To Maintain Order: The verse is telling the leaders to be vigilant about this jealousy. It’s a warning that it's not just a personal problem, but a potential threat to the stability and well-being of the community. Avoiding Conflict: It’s urging them to address this jealousy before it escalates into arguments, mistrust, or even violence. Focus on Leadership: The verse highlights that leaders (specifically those responsible for guiding the community) have a responsibility to prevent this kind of negativity from damaging their people. In essence, the verse is saying: Don't let negative emotions like jealousy destroy relationships and create problems within your group. --- Important Note: This is a complex passage with theological significance. It’s often interpreted as a warning against pride and self-centeredness – which can lead to harmful jealousies. Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss the historical context of this passage?