Numbers 5:11 - 6:27, outlines the law for dealing with a situation where a husband suspects his wife of infidelity or adultery. It describes a ritual involving an "offering of jealousy" and "water of bitterness" that the wife would undergo to determine her guilt or innocence. The bitter potion the woman is given to drink, is a symbolic test, a way for the Mighty One to reveal hidden truth. Drinking it without harm signifies the woman's innocence. As the Israelites wander in the wilderness, these rules enable them to establish their religious and social code under the leadership of Moses. Maintaining purity and order within the camp is a major concern.
