Biblijne ordalia? Od procedury „sądu bożego” do ceremoniału kultowego (Lb 5,11–31)
A Biblical Ordeal? From “God’s Court” Procedure to the Ceremonial Cult (Nm 5: 11–31)

Summary/Abstract: The pericope from Numbers 5:11–31 is often referred to as an example of God’s judgment, meaning an ordeal. Practices of this kind were known in the ancient Middle East at least from the end of the 3rd millennium BC, and they were also practiced in the Middle Ages. However, an analysis of the pericope indicates that the text in its current form was written quite late. The ritual elements (the test of credibility by drinking “holy water” before Jhwh; a self-curse; a sacrifice reminiscent of the sacrifice for sins) could be given together at the same time to create a procedure to prevent any impurity that threatens the entire community and the sanctuary at its center. Its limited application (only to Jerusalem) suggests a more symbolic expression of concern for this purity than a ritual that could often be used in practice. The elements of a trial through an ordeal are part of the entire procedure, yet they do not stand out and are not dominant enough so that we can speak of a classic example of “God’s judgment”. This is primarily indicated by the lack of clear instructions regarding the reading of a possible divine judgment.

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