זֹ֥את תֹּורַ֖ת הַקְּנָאֹ֑ת אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּשְׂטֶ֥ה אִשָּׁ֛ה תַּ֥חַת אִישָׁ֖הּ וְנִטְמָֽאָה׃ (Numbers 5:29)
This is the law of jealousy when a woman goes astray under her husband and becomes defiled
Introduction: Grammatical Framing of Moral Crisis
This verse sits at the end of the ritual of the sotah—the woman suspected of adultery. While the surrounding narrative is rich in physical detail and ceremonial imagery, this verse compresses the essence of the law into two powerful verbs. Both are non-Qal forms, and both project theological and judicial weight: trespass and defilement wrapped in morphology. This is Hebrew syntax doing courtroom work.
Key Verbs and Their Binyanim
1. תִּשְׂטֶ֥ה — “she goes astray”
2. וְנִטְמָאָֽה — “and becomes defiled”
Let’s explore their binyan, morphology, and semantic force.
1. תִּשְׂטֶ֥ה — Qal, Imperfect, 3fs
Root: שָׂטָה (to go astray)
Binyan: Qal
Voice: Active
Morphology:
– Prefix תּ־: 3rd person feminine singular
– Internal vowel pattern: characteristic Qal imperfect
– Suffix: none (simple subject-verb construction)
Interpretive Insight:
– The Qal form here is deliberate: it keeps the woman as active agent—she “goes astray”
– There is no causation or passivity—the text accuses, not excuses
– The simplicity of the Qal belies the severity of the charge
2. וְנִטְמָאָֽה — Niphal, Perfect, 3fs
Root: טָמֵא (to be unclean)
Binyan: Niphal
Voice: Passive/Reflexive
Morphology:
– Prefix נִ־: Niphal indicator
– Final ־אָה: 3rd person feminine singular perfect
– Vav-consecutive is absent: this is a descriptive closure, not narrative sequence
Semantic Weight:
– Niphal means “she became unclean” — it does not blame her for making herself impure, but describes her condition
– The verb draws a judicial line: the act (Qal) results in a legal/moral status (Niphal)
Grammatical Justice: A Comparative Table
| Verb | Root | Binyan | Voice | Meaning | Judicial Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| תִּשְׂטֶה | שׂטה | Qal | Active | She goes astray | Assigns moral agency |
| וְנִטְמָאָה | טמא | Niphal | Passive | She becomes defiled | Describes the outcome/status |
How the Binyanim Render the Verdict
The combination of Qal followed by Niphal sets up a moral sequence:
– First comes the act: she strays (תִּשְׂטֶה — Qal, deliberate).
– Then the legal/moral result: she is rendered unclean (וְנִטְמָאָה — Niphal, declarative).
This is the syntax of sacred law, where binyanim don’t just show action—they demarcate blame and consequence.
In a single line, Hebrew grammar delivers judgment without flourish. The woman strays. She is defiled. The law stands.
The binyanim say it all.
