Definition: Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman’s hand, and shall wave the offering before the LORD, and offer it upon the altar:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Numbers 5:25. It’s a really important part of understanding how the Israelites were to worship God. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a specific ritual – a cleansing – that needed to happen when offering gifts to God. It’s about keeping things pure and respectful. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Numbers 5:25 Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman’s hand…” This is the key part. It means a jealousy offering – something that represents a negative feeling or anticipation – needed to be removed from the hands of someone (likely a female offering). "Jealousy" in this context isn’t about romantic jealousy; it's about a feeling of resentment, worry, or expectation that something couldn’t happen. "...and shall wave the offering before the LORD…” The priest is taking the offering (the gift) and presenting it to God. This is a formal act of reverence. “and offer it upon the altar:” The offering is then placed on the altar, which was a special place for worship. Putting it all together – What's happening? Essentially, this verse is telling us that Israelites needed to actively remove any negativity or anxious feelings from their offerings to God. It’s about ensuring the gifts were presented with a pure and respectful heart. It’s a reminder that worship isn’t just about saying prayers; it's also about keeping your thoughts and feelings in check. Why is this important? This ritual was part of a larger system designed to show that Israelites were careful and focused on God. It emphasized the importance of controlling their emotions, especially those that could be disruptive or disrespectful. It’s a reminder that we should always strive for a righteous heart when worshipping. In short: This verse describes a cleansing ritual where a negative feeling is removed from someone who offers something to God – it's about maintaining a pure and respectful relationship with the divine. --- Do you want me to: Explain this passage in more detail? Give you an example of what a "jealousy offering" might be like? Connect this verse to other stories or teachings in the Bible?